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MHA Communities, Horsforth

Introduction Page 1

Garden watch Page 2

Thank you Page 3

Daydream believer Page 4

Who sang that song? Page 5

The Bench & Zoom Coffee Morning Page 6

Key Messages Page 7

Bits ‘n’ Bats Page 8

Events Page 9

Contact details and puzzle answers Page 10

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

Hello and welcome to our Spring newsletter. The daylight is lengthening, the bulbs are poking their way out of the soil, hibernating animals are awakening and vaccinations are happening – so much to lift winter’s gloom!

We are delighted to promote the Natter Bench on page 6 and hope many future conversations are shared by its occupants. Please take a look in Hall Park when it is safe to do so.

Liz and Debbie have been in reflective mood on page 4, let’s hear your contributions. We also encourage your participation in our zoom coffee mornings, page 6. MHA Communities, Harrogate is a brand new scheme, just launching, and it’s great to link up with them and showcase the thoughts of our Horsforth members.

Stay safe everyone, and don’t forget that if you need us then we are just a phone call away. With best wishes from, Team Horsforth xx

Garden watch Thank you to everyone who took part in Garden Watch. Pat says “I am lucky because I live opposite Hall Park and also near the path up to Bluebell Woods and the Farmer’s Fields at the top. I feed the birds all year round and provide a bird bath (well used for drinking and bathing) and a shallow dish for smaller creatures and foxes, hedgehogs (but not in winter of course) and the neighbourhood cats. I put sunflower hearts, suet blocks and round fat pickers, I buy these in bulk from a farm in Lincolnshire. Here is the list of wildlife that I saw over Christmas.” Blackbird, Robin, Tits (Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit), Gold Finch, Green Finch, 1 Pigeon (his mate was killed by either a fox or cat recently) Thrush, Woodpecker (early morning when it is quiet), Bullfinch, Nuthatch, House Sparrow and Tawny Owls (recently heard at night in a pair calling to each other. Perhaps they are going to live in the park again like they used to years ago but died out suddenly). Kate and Joe wrote: Monday: Crow, Blackbird, Robin, Starling, Grey Squirrels, Magpie and Sparrow. Tuesday: Blue-tit, Great-tit, Crow, Sparrow, Blackbird, Starling, Grey Squirrel, Magpie, Fox, Collared-pigeon and Wood-pigeon. Christmas Eve: Blackbirds, Sparrow, Robin, Squirrels, Crow, Starlings, Coal-tits. Christmas Day: Rook, Blackbird, Starling, Robin, Blue-tit, Wood-pigeon, Magpie and Squirrel. Boxing Day: Blue-tit, Starling, Squirrel, Magpie, Blackbird, Crow, Collared pigeon, Coal-tit and Long tailed tit. Sunday: Blue-tit, Robin, Starlings, Crows, Magpie, Wood-pigeon, Gulls, Sparrow and Squirrels. George and Mary said, “Over the Christmas holiday time this is the list of birds that have visited our garden”. Great-tits, Blue-tit, Sparrows, Nuthatch, Greater spotted woodpecker, male and female Magpies and a Blackbird. “It’s wonderful watching our bird table and hanging feeders”.

Thank You A big thank you to all who contribute to MHA Communities, Horsforth and who help us to continue to run our service. In no particular order… Leeds City Council, for their continued moral support and funding. The children of Horsforth St Margaret’s C of E Primary school for their lovely pictures which went out with our “festive teas”. Our merry band of newsletter delivery volunteers who help us to get the newsletter out to you all and save us a fortune on postage. Sarah Marsden of Morrison’s fame for her support and donation of goods into the scheme. Fareshare who always deliver so reliably and who have enabled us to make our afternoon teas a little more special. Our wonderful volunteer telephone befrienders for their friendly weekly chats which help our members feel a little less isolated. Stella for making beautiful thank you cards. Jean for knitting the cutest little Christmas stockings, just right for a “finger of fudge”. Central Methodist Church for being great landlords and letting us dress the windows at Christmas. Physiofit for choosing us as their 2020 charity and donating £964.00 into the scheme. Mick for his lamb photos And last but not least everyone who has sent us cards, good wishes, goodies and donations and shown care and support to the staff; we truly appreciate you all from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes, thank you.

Daydream Believer

In the office we have been daydreaming and reminiscing about all the wonderful trips and holidays that we have been on together, and we hope and believe that it won’t be long before we are able to get back to some sort of normality and are able to start up the daytrips again. Liz and Debbie have had great fun compiling their list of dream trips (see below). However if you have a dream destination or an old favourite, then please let us know and we will try and make it happen, as soon as we are able of course. Jan: Boundary Mill for the sales, we are all desperate for some retail therapy. Feb: Burton Agnes Snowdrops, with a stop off for fish and chips, because we

like them and it’s bound to be a bit chilly. Mar: Northallerton on market day, shopping, stunning scenery and a pub lunch. Apr: Port Sunlight, social history, and a garden centre with the best cheese on

toast ever. May: Pocklington market and Burnby Hall lilies, yet more shopping, we better

start saving our pennies. Jun: Morecambe because you can’t beat ice-cream and fish and chips at the

seaside and we need to inspect the new promenade and the Eric Morecambe statue.

Jul: Southport, for its designer shops, bring your binoculars if you want to see the sea!

Aug: Kettlewell Scarecrows, we like a good laugh and the village hall do great cakes.

Sep: Whitby, because we really do like to be beside the seaside! Oct: Beverley: history and a spot of early Christmas shopping, all on the flat. Nov: Chatsworth for Christmas, for its absolute splendour and to get us in the

Christmas spirit. Dec: Dancing to The Deltics, because it will be so good to party together once

again. Our trips seem to have a theme of shopping, food and seaside but we are open to all your suggestions, so get in touch. Llandudno: We have made the decision to postpone this year’s holiday to Llandudno until April 2022. We are booked in to the Somerset hotel and all deposits will carry over. Liz will book members onto the holiday nearer the time.

Who sang that Song?

Across: 3. Loved brown sugar, 4. He sang about Samson’s girlfriend, 8. They sat in the backrow of the movies, 11. Country yodeller with a good memory, 13. She loved to shout, 15. Needs to be straightened out, 17. Was a very handsome GI, 20. Flew to the moon in a dinner suit, 26. Loved to protest, 27. Always crying, 28. Hard shelled reptile, 29. Splish, splash he was taking a bath, 30. Sandy lads, 31. Always looking, 32. Fed them in the winter.

Down: 1. Don’t stop, 2. Scouse insects, 5. Lovely on toast, 6. Cliff’s band, 7. They sung about a ‘wild thing’, 9. What Dick Whittington sought in London, 10. Liverpool lass, 12. He gathered no moss, 14. Odin (anagram), 16. Frankie has four…., 18. Tiny girl who sang about a train, 19. The walking dead, 21. Opposite to woman, 22. Recluse or tiny crabs, 23. Hangmans equipment, 24. Prickly evergreen, 25. Eric Burden was their lead singer

The Natter Bench At the end of the last lockdown, there was a post on one of the Community Groups about an elderly lady sitting alone in Hall Park who hadn’t spoken to anyone for a while. One suggestion that came from that post was to install a dedicated bench for people to meet for a chat. Funding was found to install a new “natter bench” the first in Leeds to help tackle loneliness.

This bespoke bench is 2.4 metres long, to accommodate social distancing, though please be mindful of current guidance on meeting outdoors with only one other person. When restrictions are eased it is hoped that if we see someone sat alone, we could take a few minutes out of our day to stop for a chat with someone who may need some company.

Zoom Coffee Morning We are running our first Zoom Coffee Morning on Wednesday 3rd February, 11.00 – 12.00; these meeting will then take place every Wednesday. If you have a device and WiFi then you are invited to join in, all you need to do is download Zoom onto your device and contact the office for the ID and Passcode. We are joining with MHA Communities, Harrogate for our first few meetings but if numbers grow, which we hope that they will, then we will be able to split into smaller groups. A member of staff will take part in each session; we’ve really missed you all and can’t wait to have a good chat.

It’s The Thought That Counts They say it’s the thought that counts but there are always a few Christmas presents that don’t quite hit the spot. If you wish to regift items into the scheme to help us to raise funds, then we would be most grateful.

Messages fro

Key Messages from MHA Welcome to the latest edition of the MHA Communities newsletter and the first one we are sending out this year. Despite the strange circumstances, we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are now looking forward to the crisp mornings and lighter evenings.

Over the past several months, many of you have taken pleasure in our Digital Communities activities service with online sessions from schemes across the UK taking place 7 days a week. The online activities range from exercise classes, baking, quizzes, book clubs and religious services. If you would like to explore our activities or join any of our schemes’ Zoom sessions, please visit: www.mha.org.uk/digitalcommunities or get in touch with your scheme.

Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul edition 2 is coming mid-February, the theme is dedicated to eliminating loneliness and bringing hope in later life. Throughout the issue expect to see some uplifting news stories focused on how MHA colleagues have continued to adapt throughout the pandemic. You can read Heart & Soul online here: www.mha.org.uk/publications

If you’d like a printed copy, please get in touch with your scheme.

British Pie Week 2021

From 1st-7th March, MHA are taking part in British Pie Week 2021! As a nation of pie lovers, we are calling upon all of you to share your best pie recipes or even a photograph of a pie you have baked.

MHA Communities will host a variety of online pie related Zoom sessions and activities. To find out more information, please get in touch with your scheme.

And finally… Thank you from MHA

MHA Communities are part of a wider organisation, MHA is the largest charity care provider for older people in the UK. As well as offering our services to you within the community, we also have over 4,400 residents living in an MHA care home in the UK and over 3,000 older people living in one of our retirement living communities.

Throughout this difficult period, we would like thank you for your continued support and provide reassurance to you and your loved ones to know that we are dedicated to combating loneliness through all of our services at every stage of later life. If you or a loved one’s situation changes, MHA can offer a choice of care packages to suit all needs. To find out more about MHA, please visit: www.mha.org.uk

Q. What kind of car does a lamb drive?

A. A lamb-orghini

Q. Why did the policeman give the lamb a ticket?

A. He was a baaaaaaaaaad driver

Q. Why was the lamb arrested on the motorway?

A. Because she did a ewe turn

The Princes Responsible Business Network

Struggling with your smartphone or computer? If you, or someone you know, needs a hand with technology and is feeling isolated from connecting with others the Clicksilver Connections team are here to help. We have some wonderful mentors who are waiting to get to know you over the phone with four weeks of FREE one-to-one support.

To find out more call 07720 681 006 or email befriending@mha.org.uk. You will receive 4 weeks of 1:1 tuition with specially trained mentors over the telephone.

Calling all Dissectologists

“What is a dissectologist?” I hear you say! A dissectologist is a person who enjoys jigsaw puzzle assembly. If this applies to you then you may like to know that 40, new to us, jigsaws have been kindly donated into the scheme. If you would like one of these dropping off on your doorstep then just give us a call.

Events calendar March

Date Event Name Time Details

Every Wednesday

Zoom Coffee Morning 11.00 – 12.00 Contact the office for ID

Every Thursday

Book & Jigsaw Delivery 10.00 onwards Contact the office to request a call

Daily Telephone Befriending As requested Contact the office to request a befriender

April

Date Event Name Time Price

Every Wednesday

Zoom Coffee Morning 11.00 – 12.00 Contact the office for ID

Every Thursday

Book and Jigsaw Delivery 10.00 onwards Contact the office to request a call

Daily Telephone Befriending As requested Contact the office to request a befriender

May

Date Event Name Time Price

Every Wednesday

Zoom Coffee Morning 11.00 – 12.00 Contact the office for ID

Every Thursday

Book and Jigsaw Delivery 10.00 onwards Contact the office to request a call

Daily Telephone Befriending As requested Contact the office to request a befriender

Get in touch If you know of anyone who would like to become a member or volunteer, or would just like to find out a bit more about our scheme, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

MHA Communities Central Methodist Church Town Street Horsforth LS18 4NR

Telephone: 0113 259 1511

Email: horsforth@mha.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/URL

Judith: 07999 179 388 Nicki: 07720 680 443

Debbie: 07738 260 243 Jane: 07748 208 928

Liz: 07568 612 060

Who Sang that Song? Answers