East Suffolk Association for the Blind - Shotley Peninsula Branch

East Suffolk Association for the Blind
Shotley Peninsula Branch
As we bid farewell to 2011 we can reflect on our achievements in helping blind and visually impaired people living on the Shotley Peninsula.   Our numbers increase year by year due in the main to our Community Worker making home visits to folk who have been referred by our representative, Mike Scott, in the Eye Department of Ipswich Hospital.  We are now averaging  50 members attending our monthly social meetings at Stutton.
The support for our work that has been given by many organisations is very much appreciated.  Donations have been received from Chelmondiston’s Methodist Church Saturday Coffee Club, St. Andrews Church Coffee and Chat Group, Bentley Church PCC, Bentley Carpet Bowls Club and  Rookery Farm Shop at Tattingstone.  Babergh District Council made us a grant of £625 to cover our transport costs for a year.  In addition we have received many donations from individuals including, for a second time, a whole year’s rent for our meeting venue – Stutton Community Hall.  Enid and Ray Funnell very kindly organised a coffee morning at their home in Chelmondiston which raised close to £300 and we thank them both for their very valued help.
In March 2011 our member, Roger Ratcliffe, organised an evening’s entertainment at the Shotley Village Hall featuring The Hasbeens Skiffle Group and Friends.  This was very well received and we were asked by many people to ‘do it again’.  We are pleased to announce that 16 March 2012 is the date to put in your diaries when we can look forward to another great evening of music and laughter with the ever popular Hasbeens Skiffle Group.
We wish everybody a very Happy New Year and look forward to your continued support for us in helping  blind and visually impaired people on the Shotley Peninsula to enjoy a better life.

Bryan Le Grys
Branch Chairman/Treasurer

January to June 2012 Social Programme

25 January                  We start off the New Year with some music and
(Start 12:30)                songs which will be provided by ‘Dragonfruit’.
                                     Local musicians Ian Heywood and Clare Wood
                                     will play music of all kinds on guitar and violin.                  
                                     
                                                                
29  February               Peter Creasy, a Stutton resident, will talk to us
(Start 2pm)                  about his work as the local Coastguard.
                   

28 March                     We have a return visit of a singing group known as
(Start 2pm)                  The Daytimers. We all enjoyed their music and songs
                                      last time so we look forward to this visit.

25 April                        Storytime from Suffolk today with Pip Wright who will
Start 2pm)                    relate The Amazing Story of The Rev. John Heigham-
                                     Steggal ~ The Suffolk Gypsy.  Sounds interesting.

30 May                         Another return visit.  This time by Jennie Gibbs who
(Start 2pm)                  will tell us more about her life in Turkey.  Jennie will
                                      no doubt have some hand-made items for sale again       
                                     so bring your money ! 

27 June                       Our club was formed on this day 10 years ago with                     
(Start 2pm)                  just a handful of members.  We are planning a
                                     celebration that one member of the committee
                                     described as a  ‘Birthday Spectacular’.  We’ll see ! ! !

The Shotley Peninsula Branch operates under the umbrella of the ESAB Head Office and was formed in June 2002, with a small committee.

The aims and objectives of the branch are to provide a monthly social meeting for blind and partially sighted people living on the Shotley Peninsula.

These meetings are generally held in the afternoon of the last Wednesday of each month at the Stutton Village Community Hall, commencing at 2pm and ending around 4pm. Refreshments are provided. Please note that during January, October and November, the meetings commence at 12:30 when we serve a light lunch. Transport can be arranged from most areas if required.

At our regular meetings we have a speaker, musician or entertainer and the programme provides a mix of these to suit all tastes and interests. Each December, the meeting date is brought forward for a Christmas Lunch Party followed by musical entertainment. During the summer, we organise a lunch outing. Both of these outside events are held at hotels.

Most events organised are free of any charge to members and carers, but of course donations are always welcome. At every meeting it is customary to hold a raffle to help defray costs.

Further information may be obtained from Carol or Bryan by calling locally at

(01473) 787779