Bob’s Blog

Bob’s Blog Part 5 – Appears first in Congleton Chronicle 

Remembrance Day is the time of year when lots of us older folk think back to war time – but it’s nice when youngsters mark the occasion!   My grandson was at my house the other evening and his pal called to collect him. He was wearing a poppy for his night out on the town– he’s just signed up for the army, starts his basic training on Monday .  Good on yer lad and God speed!

I was still a kid in the Second World War, but I remember my cousin signed up – he was accepted, though he was barely 18.   Turned out to be a crack shot – a natural – and he volunteered for the Airborne Division.    Not long after he was really in the thick of it –  caught up in the Battle of Arnhem Sept 1944..

The history books tell of how the 1^st British Airborne Division was part of  the plan to  advance into Germany’s industrial heartland.  However,  they encountered far more resistance than was expected.   A night-time evacuation of the remnants of the 1^st British Airbourne Division rescued 2400 men.   Unfortunately my cousin wasn’t one of them.   He told me,

“We were holed up in what was left of a house in the outskirts of the town, when we heard the rumble of an advancing tank coming ever closer.   It stopped outside the house and swung it’s turret to face the house – we were looking down the barrel of a very big gun – that was the end of my war! “

It’s incredible to imagine that these things have happened in my life time! Anyway, there was a happy ending to the story…  When my cousin got home he visited his best pal, who he’d met in basic training  and spent most of the war with, and fell head over heels for his sister –they’ve  just celebrated 69 years of marriage!!   Now that’s a nice ending!

When I think of Remembrance Day I think of the Royal British Legion .  The Legion was set up to help those returning from the First World War. Almost a century on, they’re  still there helping Service people, Veterans, and their families. The Royal British Legion  volunteers have been out in force selling poppies  But that’s not all they do.  Gillian McKinnon from the Royal British Legion was telling me that they have funding from Cheshire East Council and are all geared up to identify and address social isolation for the elderly in the area.  They want to work with other organisations that have links to the armed services in any way –  Gillian wants people to know that the Royal British Legion  are there to support anyone in the area who may have served or are currently serving and who needs some support .   I also discovered  that my dear cousin could apply for a free ‘Care Phone’  – they’re worn on your wrist or around your neck and if they are pressed , a call goes through to a 24 hour response centre who will get help.   He’s 90 now and some days is a bit wobbly  – it would be great for him.   And it’s all free for  Service and ex-Service persons

Gillian says they always need more volunteers,

“We are really keen to encourage local people to volunteer for us, to help support local heroes.”

Volunteers are trained to be caseworkers, visitors, information volunteers , fundraisers and much more.   To find out more have a look on their website or ring  0808 802 8080

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob’s Blog Part 4 – Appears first in a weekly column in Congleton Chronicle

 

Well, I’m now the proud owner of an email address Bobbearcong@cvsce.org.uk . Apparently this will open up a whole new world to me!  

I’ll be able to do my shopping while still sitting in my front room.  Funnily enough my old front room was only a stone’s throw away from our local bargain store – otherwise known as May Brogan’s!! I have it on good authority that when May passed away she was such an icon in Congleton history, that the editor of the Chron wrote her eulogy himself, saying that it was far too important to hand it over to a reporter!   Back to shopping – I have done some –online …with  help!   I’ve ordered a much loved  book from my youth that I’d love to read again – “The Blue Book Guide to Cornwall”  Got it from www.Abebooks.co.uk  – not touting for trade here  but it seems good for the old and obscure books ( Remember a few years back – “Fly Fishing” by JR Hartley?)  Getting back to the point, we used to go to Cornwall  every Summer, so getting the book will really bring back memories.     I think it’s lovely re-visiting good times in your life.  I love getting out the photos – they’re kept in an old biscuit tin in the cupboard and everybody crowds round to see who they can recognise!

Memory is a strange thing – you can remember things so clearly from 60 years ago but forget what day it is!   So I was interested in going to the ‘Dementia Together’ event last week, and I was so impressed with the work that’s going on behind the scenes to help people who are living with alzheimers disease or dementia, or who can become forgetful or confused.    For example the staff at Crewe station have all had dementia awareness training, and there is a ‘safe’ room at the station complete with memory boxes and memorabilia – things to help someone in distress to find their bearings until a family member arrives.   I think that’s so caring!

I know that using public transport can be a bit tricky and scary if you’re feeling fragile!

But did you know that people living with alzheimers disease or dementia can apply for a ‘disability’ bus pass which ensures extra support from the driver – like  he won’t start to drive away until you are safely seated and he can see you are OK.   You can apply for these bus passes at Congleton Library.

Whatever you age, it’s good to keep the old grey matter moving – so here’s a few more ideas for keeping on keeping on…

Heathview – top of Heath Road in West health, opposite the shopping precinct on Sandbach Road, has a good selection of things going on and it’s open to any older person  who wants to join in – there’s a reading club on Tuesdays 2.00pm-3.00pm, board games Thursday 2.00pm-4.00pm and Needles and Natter on Sundays 2.00pm-4.00pm.    If you want to check it out or to book a place, give Wendy Townley a ring on 01260 281484

Phew – just not enough days in the week!!    And don’t forget if you are computer savvy you can email me at Bobbearcong@cvsce.org.uk – let me know about events or useful info and I’ll gladly pass it on.

Bob Bear signing out till next week……

Bob’s Blog Part 3 – Appears first in the Congleton Chronicle.

Bob is a born and bred Congletonian, and in his younger days lived in Back Park Street with his family. Bob says he’s getting on a bit now, but he’s  in the know about anything worth doing or hearing about as far as older people are concerned .  Over to you Bob……

At my school we used to learn to recite poems – don’t think the kids of today do that kind of thing anymore.    But Monday mornings at St Stephens’ that’s what we did.   So it wasn’t surprising that yesterday I woke up reciting ‘Ode to Autumn’ – John Keats  – one of my favourite poems from school days.   Says it all –

Autumn, season of mists and mellow fruitfulness…..!!  And… time to put the garden to bed for the Winter!  I need to find the time to bring in the begonias and geraniums before the frost gets them! Can be a funny time of year though – I often feel a bit down when the nights draw in.  I think it’s good to have things to do and things to look forward to.  A couple of things I will be going along to.- .Wednesday afternoon’s friendship club –known as FIR –Friends In Retirement.   A Cup of tea, another cup of tea, piece of cake, a few games of bingo, a raffle, lots of chat, and sometimes a talk on something of interest to us more senior citizens.  And all for a couple of quid!  And of course wherever Joan Myatt is you will be sure of a very warm welcome.  So put it in your diary, St. Mary’s Parish Centre, West Road, 2.00-4.00pm.  Wednesdays.   Another good one is the two- course hot meal at Wellspring Church up Canal Street.   It’s called ‘Senior Diners’, the last Wednesday in the month.  You can just have the meal or you can stay for the speaker afterwards – it’s up to you.  It costs just £4 and you need to ring Arthur on 01260 275 568 to book your place

Part of my ‘Getting ready for Winter’ is to get my flu jab sorted – I’ve missed the September ones so I’m popping down on 18^th November.   And don’t forget if you’re not 65 yet or not entitled to a free jab, it costs less than £10 in most pharmacies-  even some of the supermarkets do it now, so add it to your shopping list!

I had quite a bit of interest after last week about that CVD check I had (Cardio Vascular and diabetes).  So just for the record, those checks are available to anyone over 40, and you can have them every 3 years.   They only cover things like blood pressure checks, risk of heart disease and diabetes so they don’t check for cancer .   My doctor sent me an invite but not all surgeries do it that way so you might have to ask.

But don’t all rush at once….I’ll be in the soup for overloading the system!

I’ve so much to say this week – but I must pass this on today or you’ll miss it!  Our CAB (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) are marking Big Energy Saving Week with an event at the Plus Dane Bromley Farm Hub on Parnell Square, off  Woolston Avenue, on Thursday 29^th October from 12-2.00pm.  People can come along to get energy saving tips and advice on switching supplier, dealing with complaints etc., there’ll also be lots of freebies give-aways.  So if like me you don’t like wasting money it’s a ‘must’

 

Bob Bear signing out till next week….