September 2008

Redbourn Care Group –not just for the elderly

Can you help?

I know a lot of our readers have helped schools and clubs within the village and we all tend to move along with helping where our children attend. If yours are moving up to secondary school and you do not intend to get involved with the PTA there -have you been wondering about where you could now best donate a few hours a week? Have you thought about helping the Care Group? We are looking for drivers and couriers and more information about these roles is being distributed in the latest Parish Newsletter.

I have to confess I hadn’t given the Group a thought until they helped me last year –it is not just the elderly who become sick you know guys! But if you are fit and healthy and want to help as a volunteer we would love to have you on board. Peter Fox, our Chairman, is always saying we would welcome ‘more young blood’.

For instance, did you know they take a group of shoppers to Sainsbury’s every week on Wednesday evenings? On Friday mornings and Thursday mornings there’s a trip to our local village shops. This is something many of us may do online or fit in between a dozen other things, but to those who use this service it’s a Godsend.

Want to find out more?

• Pop in to the Care Group office, Village Hall and we will hand you a supply of leaflets/newsletters. We are open 9.30 –12noon Mon –Fri.
• Look out for our leaflets in the Doctors’ surgery and the local library

(Additionally, if you work for an organisation or office within the area and feel able to display our leaflets in your reception for visitors, just give the office or me a call).

For my sins, I am helping with awareness and fund raising, so look out for us organising events in the future – we are mulling over ideas.

Any help with awareness and volunteering to help is really appreciated.

Annie Manning - Fundraising and Awareness Co-ordinator

On behalf of the Care Group Tel: Care Group Office:794550/Annie:794235

July & August 2008

With the new Care Bus fulfilling our expectations as we get accustomed to it, and our drivers and couriers also becoming accustomed to various new procedures, I can happily report that we are busier than ever. The additional monthly outings are proving successful, and organiser, Annie Lowe, is most grateful to her regular volunteer drivers who do so much to help our less able citizens to get out and about to enjoy some friendly company and our lovely countryside. Please contact Annie on 794615 or our office on 794550 for further details of the summer plans.

Speaking of the office, Jane, who manages it, has been busy with her great band of volunteers who run the office each week day morning ensuring that various new operational measures are bedded in, with the least possible disruption. These are not changes for changes sake, but are measures necessary for us to continue to function in the best possible manner going forward.

We are also looking at our whole funding and financial set up to ensure we are fit to meet the challenging times ahead. This work has certainly been, and will continue to be, time consuming for the officers and the executive committee, but with the truly remarkable support of our magnificently loyal volunteers over the whole range of our activities we know that we will be able to continue to play our full part in keeping Redbourn’s community spirit alive and thriving.

If you feel you may be able to commit a few hours now and again to this cause, do please contact us.

Peter Fox – Chairman RCG

June 2008

I must start with a very big thank you to everyone who contributed so successfully to our recent dedication of the splendid new care bus. A large number of people and organisations were involved to make it a special day. Best of all was that so many of our regular volunteers came along with their guests and gave us a chance once again to swap experiences and friendly chat. A visit to Redbourn Village website has a full write up and pictures of the event; just click on the link to the Care Group

We are settling the new bus in, and there is no doubt that, as we get acquainted with it and its various new features, this vehicle will be a worthy successor to its predecessors.

One of our aims is to ensure that as many residents with mobility challenges as possible get the chance to go on one of the regular trips out being laid on during this magnificent time of year. A call to the office on 794550 or to organiser Annie on 794651 will provide further details.

As you read these notes, we will have completed a programme of presentations given by Barry Welch with the aim of keeping us all up to date with best practices regarding the safety of our volunteers and those to whom we try to provide the best possible service. We thank all who attended, and the positive feedback made us feel that Barry’s hard preparatory work and very good presentations were certainly well worth the effort. We were hosted by the Recreation Centre, and thank Manager Debbie and friends, who served us refreshments, for the warmth of their hospitality.

Our efforts to provide a garage and equipment store have not gone ahead as well as expected, so the search for a suitable site within the hub of the village goes on. Any suggestions gratefully received!

We are still seeking drivers to keep the Monday morning swimming run going. If you think you could help, Jane our office manager would love to hear from you on 792864. Indeed, we would welcome and enquiries regarding volunteering a little time with us. There are many ways to help, and many residents who could do with a little help of one kind or another. Do please contact us if you feel you could assist. Peter Fox, Chairman R.C.G.

May 2008

The New Care Bus It has been a very busy time for us so far this year, and our officers have been hard at work with the introduction into service of the new Care Bus, disposal of the old one, ensuring all our drivers and couriers are familiar with the inevitable changes and innovations, and also with keeping all our volunteers involved in the mobility aspects of our work up to date with best practice advice to keep both themselves and those we serve as well protected as possible.

Outings As we enter this lovely time of year, our outings organiser Annie has been putting together a programme of trips out which we hope will include an extra tour each month, to accommodate a wider number of folk each month wishing to come along. We are hoping to see some new faces, and gentlemen please note that these trips are for you as well as the fairer sex!

We may also be able to vary the usual afternoon schedule from time to time, if there is a demand.

The following dates are provisional as I write so please check with Annie on 794615 or the office on 794550. It is a door to door service, very reasonably priced and the company is warm and friendly.

May 8th and 22nd & June 12th and 26th

We are also open to ideas and suggestions regarding the future programme.

Shopping

We undertake weekly shopping trips on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and they are very popular, with the office keeping a waiting list. However, as I write, there is a spare seat, or two, for the Wednesday early evening shopping run. Please contact Jane on 792684 or the office for further details.

Dear readers, please also remember that our task is to play as full a part as possible, to work with others to meet the caring needs of our growing community and to combat loneliness. We strive to do this in a safe, friendly, yet practical environment, following the best advice we can obtain. To maintain the effort we are always very pleased to welcome new volunteers.

Just call any of the numbers above or me on 793303.

Peter Fox, Chairman RCG

February 2008

As these notes were about to be prepared in early January, we got some very good news to start us off in the New Year when we heard that the long awaited arrival of the new care bus into this country has at last taken place. The vehicle has arrived safely from the German manufacturer and is now being converted for our use by a specialist company here. The latest estimate for delivery to be ready for use is early March.

The last winter seemed to bring more than the usual round of coughs, colds and flu, but our office has remained open and as busy as ever, thanks to some fine teamwork and the loyalty of our great band of volunteers. We hope to show our thanks in a positive way when we celebrate and welcome the new care bus into service.

This magazine has been printed locally for many, many years now with the expert guidance of local man Les Smith. His whole working life, and his retirement years to date, were spent operating printing presses and training others to continue the work of producing a variety of printed matter required by St Mary’s Church week in and week out.

Les and his wife, Hazel, herself a valued member of the Care Group Executive Committee and stalwart of the Day Centre volunteer team, have decided it is time for Les to hand over his printing duties to the next generation. We salute his long service and wish him and Hazel peace, joy and many warm relaxing days ahead.

As ever, we are on the lookout for more residents to join us in our efforts to keep this a caring community, and we require many varied skills. Any reader willing to contribute a few hours now and then is assured of a warm welcome and as much training and advice as necessary. To find out more, please call our office any weekday morning on 794550 or me on 793303 or Jane on 792684.

When we heard that the youngsters who attend Oaklands College Transition Group, based at St Luke’s School here in Redbourn, were interested in the local wildlife, especially birds, the Care Group and some local members of the Ver Valley Society offered to help establish a feeding station within sight of their common room.

Life has presented these youngsters, who have special needs, with some difficult challenges as they prepare for life beyond school and college. Working with the dedicated staff and these interested youngsters has been a pleasure, and they intend to build on this project, with the help of a little funding and their own enthusiasm, to add interest to their student life. We are also grateful to the Watford RSPB Group for providing several nest boxes which are now in place around the site. Peter Fox, Chairman R.C.G. Return to top of page

REDBOURN CARE GROUP December 2007 Newsletter

A.G.M. Our well attended Annual General Meeting was held in the Village Hall on 25th October. A thought provoking talk was given by guest speaker Mrs Shaun Brown, of the Centre for Voluntary Service, on the subject of CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) checks. Since much of our activity relates to working with vulnerable folk, we are assessing the way ahead, and how best to ensure the safety and protection of both those whom we serve, and of our large band of loyal volunteers. We have much to consider, and would welcome the views of any well informed person who is involved with us. The C.V.S. at St Albans have a useful pamphlet on this subject, and experienced advisers. They can be contacted on 01727 852657.

The various Care Group officers gave their reports for the past year and, once again, the theme running through all their accounts highlighted the wonderful contribution we continue to receive from many members of our community who support us so reliably. We offer our heartfelt thanks to them all and urge them to stay with us over the challenging, but hopefully rewarding, times ahead and, if possible, to recruit some additional young blood!

The audited accounts for the past year were presented by Treasurer Ralph Goold and they show that we are in a very healthy position. This is just as well as we are soon to take delivery of a new care bus. We are also well on the way to building a garage and store to house it.

As in past years, we are very grateful indeed to our Parish Council for their indispensable support of the care Group in many ways, not least financially. Our thanks were expressed to its officers for their very co-operative attitude and patience.

It was pleasing to report that, once again, in 2006/7 this community achieved a prestigious regional award from the Herts Society C.P.R.E. in the Care of the Elderly category. We are proud of the part our volunteers played in this splendid village wide effort.

In accepting my re-election to the post of Chairman, I tried to express my somewhat mixed feelings of humility and warm thanks for the confidence placed in me, together with the re-elected Executive Committee. We will continue to work hard to justify that confidence in what will be my last year as chairman. With Barry Welch elected as Vice Chair, together with the following executive committee names given here, I feel we are in very good shape to carry the Care Group forward, and help maintain Redbourn’s reputation as a caring village with a still flourishing community spirit. Executive Committee: Mr A Clark, Mrs C Crawley, Mrs W Cruickshank, Mrs E Duras, Mrs J Farmer, Mrs J Fisher, Mr V French, Mr R Goold, Mr C Lambert (Life President), Mr S Lillywhite, Mrs A Lowe, Mrs M Maynard, Mrs A Mundye, Mr J Picken, Mr R Pritchard, Mr P Rosen, Mrs P Schofield, Mr D Smee, Mrs H Smith, Mrs J Spreull, Mr T Swendell, Mr D Violett, Mrs M Williams. From these names, the Executive Committee will elect the remaining R.C.G. officers at its first meeting.

Remembrance Day As I write, the annual Remembrance Day service is about to take place, and it is planned that our wreath to be laid by our President Cyril Lambert. The British Legion poppy collection in Redbourn has been organised by Mr John Catlin of Tassell Hall for over thirty years. He has been responsible for the distribution of the poppies and collection boxes, and for getting the proceeds safely back to the Legion’s Harpenden H.Q. In John’s first year in 1976 Redbourn raised £165. Last year the sum totalled well over £1,000. John, himself a WWII veteran, would now like to pass on this task to a younger person. He would be pleased to hear from anyone interested, and can be contacted on 793521, or please contact Jim Wade of the Harpenden B.L. on 765643. The village owes John Catlin and his team of local helpers a very big thank you for their splendid effort over such a long time, and it is hoped that someone will come forward to carry on this important annual task.

Outings Organiser Annie Lowe has been hard at work putting together a programme for the lead up to Christmas including a Christmas lunch trip on 11th December. Please contact Annie on 794615 for information and to book this and other outings.

The Monday Club has its Christmas lunch on 13th December, and the care bus will be busy again on 14th taking folk to and from the Tea Dance organised by Anne Mundye and Janet Few. For further information on any of these and other seasonal activities in which we are involved, please call the office on 794550.

Post Office We can now officially welcome Sandra and Alan Woodland and wish them well on taking over the business. We are grateful that they and their staff wish to continue the close working relationship the Care Group has always had with this vital part of village life. We urge all residents to use the Post Office as much as possible in these days when for many local communities it remains a matter of “use it or lose it”.

With warmest greetings to you all from all of us at the Care Group.

Peter Fox, Chairman R.C.G.

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November 2007 Newsletter

Ever since the Redbourn Care Group was formed, our village Post Office and its staff have played a central role in our operation. At the time we launched, our first chairman, Cyril Lambert, was also the Sub-Postmaster and ran the business until his retirement many years later.

We were extremely fortunate when Cyril’s nephew Alec and his wife took over from Cyril, and the relationship with the Care Group has continued to prosper ever since. All the Post Office staff show great kindness to the Care Group, as we have striven together to be of service to the community.

Mr and Mrs Reek are now in the process of selling the shop and Post Office. We would like to thank them most sincerely for continuing to allow the Post Office and staff to assist us, particularly with regard to the running of the care bus. We are all ready to welcome the new owners and we all hope very much that we can establish the same successful links with them.

In the near future we hope to take delivery of a splendid new care bus. The order was placed by us earlier this summer following consultation with our loyal volunteers. Our agents at Help the Aged encountered a problem which has caused some delay, but we are assured that all is now going ahead as planned.

Meanwhile, the present one is busier than ever, and Outings Organiser Annie Lowe is now planning an additional second leisure trip each month to various interesting places. Please contact Annie on 794815 or the Office on 794550 for further details, including plans to enjoy the lead up to Christmas.

A full account of our October Annual General Meeting will, hopefully, appear in the next edition of Common Round. Peter Fox, Chairman R.C.G.

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September 2007 Newsletter

REDBOURN CARE GROUP

For a great many years now the Care Group has run a weekly trip to Harpenden Swimming Pool on a Monday morning. The original idea was to provide an opportunity for residents who need a little help with mobility, but who would like to keep as fit as possible, the chance of a weekly swim. Over time, this early(ish) morning outing has turned into quite a friendly social get together. There is a small charge for the journey, and concessions are available for the swimming.

Our very good companion David Viollet, a long standing loyal friend to the group, has been the mainstay driver for many years, with other volunteer back-up for holidays etc. Quite reasonably, David would now like to take a step back, and so we are seeking a replacement regular driver for this run. If there is someone out there willing to drive the Care Bus, who is usually available on a Monday morning between about 8:00am and 10:45am, and who perhaps would enjoy a keep fit dip, would he or she please contact either me on 793303 or Jane on 792684 or the office on 794550.

Annie Lowe, our outings organiser, is busy putting together a further list of trips well into the autumn. Along with the usual afternoon tours into the lovely countryside hereabouts, there are possible variety theatre trips and the like also in the planning stage. Contact Annie on 794615, or the office, for dates and to book your seat. New faces are always welcome, and a warm friendly greeting awaits newcomers to this door-to-door service.

Redbourn is blessed with a still real and tangible community spirit, kept alive by those ready and willing to step forward and offer a little time and talent in support of others. For sure the Care Group still thrives because of this attitude, although it must be said that we would welcome some new, youngish blood.

There are also others, local heroes all, who quietly and, often behind the scenes, unobtrusively serve this community year in and year out. One such is the man who spends many hours each year tending the village War Memorial on the common. I know his efforts are much appreciated by our Parish Council, and I have heard many other complimentary comments over time regarding how well our memorial always looks. So may I use a little space to congratulate and thank James Miller of South Common, Redbourn, who may well be highly embarrassed by these words, but who, nevertheless, so richly deserves the thanks of all of us. Well done, James!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and Mother Nature’s autumnal bounty.

Peter Fox, Chairman RCG

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June 2007 Newsletter

REDBOURN CARE GROUP

A summer stroll on our lovely common brings many things to delight our senses, such as the annual flying display laid on for free as the swifts scream overhead in close formation. Then there is the heady scent from the avenue of lime trees as they blossom in June. This is enhanced by the smell of the grass being cut again, and the cricket matches getting into full flow for another season.

At dusk the bats come out to rival the swifts, adding to the many other signals given out by Mother Nature that yes, the long lazy summer days are here to be enjoyed for another year.

If, that is, dear reader, you are fortunate enough to be able to get out and about under your own steam. Not all our residents are so fortunate. It is a primary aim of the Care Group to offer assistance to any resident who is unable to get out and about and enjoy such delights as those described above without some help.

To fulfil this objective requires a great deal of effort, planning and voluntary participation.

We are wonderfully blessed in this community by the fact that so many residents come forward and offer their time and talents. Yet we still need more volunteers. It helps if you are young at heart, if not in years, and age of itself is no barrier, although we rejoice in recruiting some younger blood into the fold. So why not give it a go! You are promised the warmest of welcomes, and can find out more by contacting our office on 794550. On this same number you can find out about our monthly trips out for those with mobility difficulties.

Anyone wishing to contact us by telephone should always do so through this same number, at least in the first instance. The office is open each weekday morning from 9:30am until noon. Outside these hours, try 793303 or 792684. You can also leave us a recorded message. Remember to leave your contact details when doing so.

We also have an extensive network of Street Contact people who will put you in touch with us and who can offer other useful information. They are there to help you if help is needed. If you do not know who your Street Contact person is, get in touch with Steve, the scheme co-ordinator, on 792881.

Above all, please do not feel isolated or lonely. You are surrounded by people and organisations who can help you through the low times, and help you to feel safer if that is a concern for you.

We wish you well and hope you get the best out of these warm summer days.

Peter Fox, Chairman RCG

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April Newsletter

As Easter approaches, it brings many signs that the annual miracle of springtime is once again ours to be enjoyed, if that is, we are fortunate to be fit and able enough to get out and about in our glorious countryside. However, for those who are challenged with mobility difficulties, the Care Group Outings Team is planning a number of trips. These are designed to ensure that these folk will get the chance to see local woodlands carpeted by bluebells, the spring lambs romping in the fresh green grass and the trees bursting into life once again.

Despite the fact that she faces imminent eye surgery, our organiser Annie Lowe is determined to fill the Care Bus for each of the trips listed here. The service is door to door and the cost is extremely good value. To book, call our office on 794550.

Meanwhile, we wish Annie a speedy recovery.

19th April Chilterns Tour
17th May Springtime flowers

On the subject of encouraging the less able to get out and about, we still have copies of Haydn Davies’s book on short walks on the flat for the short of breath. This series of walks ventures into some of the finest countryside hereabouts and easy to follow maps are provided. The booklet has been produced strictly on a ‘not for profit’ basis and Haydn has kindly included us in the charities receiving a share of the sales. Copies can be obtained from our office, from Redbournbury Mill, or from the author on 793991.

This is turning into a very busy year for the Care Group and we are hard at work, facing up to the various challenges that go with meeting the growing demands of a growing and vibrant community. It is worth stressing yet again that we exist to help all parishioners, of any age, at those times when a neighbourly, helping hand can make a difference. Our new brochure explains what we are about in detail and how you can help us in our work. It will shortly be available to all residents. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy to the full this lovely time of year and if there is any way we might help, just give us a call.

Peter Fox, chairman RCG

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SOME PERSONAL MEMORIES OF A TRUE AND GENTLE MAN

BOB BENN 1931-2007.

January of this New Year saw the conclusion of Bob’s brave battle with cancer, as he passed away, peacefully, in hospital. Redbourn has lost a very dear friend. He was not born here, and had not lived here for some years following marriage to his dear Christine. Yet they both greatly cherished their Redbourn friendships. As we reflect on Bob’s life, that word friendship, in its deepest meaning, is the recurring theme. Throughout his life Bob made abiding friendships. It would seem that every friend he ever made was still pleased to be known as such at the end of Bob’s 75 years of life.

He came into my infant life when the Benn family found themselves in the Redbourn area following evacuation here from their Hampstead home as Hitler’s bombs began to fall on London. As his brother Ted and sisters Betty and Dorothy were found lodgings in the locality, Bob came to us at our hilltop home of 45, Lybury Lane. Very soon Bob became like an elder brother to my own brother Jeff and me. Over sixty five years later that is still how Bob will ever be regarded by me. My parents, Carrie and Fred Fox, formed a warm and lasting relationship with Mrs Benn as she managed to keep her children close to her in those fateful war years.

One of my earliest memories is of scrambling under the dining room table with Bob and Jeff whenever the siren, then mounted on a house chimney at “Vincents” corner, Lybury Lane, began to scream out its warning. It was Bob’s job to get me down to the nursery school at the old scout hut on the Common each morning on his way to the school set up for the evacuees at the village hall. Another of my early memories is of coming to grief on that same Vincents corner as Bob, running fast, lost control of the pushchair and we all finished in a painful heap in the lane. We escaped with a few grazes and minor pushchair damage, but have had many a smile over such incidents as these as we reminisced in later years.

Looking back, it was wonderful how the evacuees from London settled into Redbourn life, and a great many of those families remain here to this day. Our village community was then, and continues to be, enormously enriched by their presence. In keeping with the wonderful example of family closeness set by Mrs Benn through to her own passing, and still now by her children, who remain as close as ever at the time of Bob’s passing, Bob also formed and kept a very strong bond with my family.

He regularly sent cards and gifts on birthdays and at Christmas, and often visited them when they were ill. Just a few years back there was a national debate on the question of mistreatment of wartime evacuated children. Bob was outraged at some of this and felt so strongly that he wrote to the press and had an article published in this magazine, stressing how well he and his siblings had been looked after here. After hostilities ceased Bob got an apprenticeship in the electrical trade, and his family eventually settled into a house on the newly built Tassell Hall estate. This showed another laudable side to Bob’s character, for he stayed with that same employer throughout his working life. He was a very loyal person, and despite being seriously ill, Bob still managed to attend the Redbourn Old Boys Annual Gathering as usual last October in our village hall.

He became a long serving member of the renowned Redbourn Cricket Club, and played badminton for the very strong Monday Club at the village hall. He also did his bit for Redbourn Football Club, where, although never quite reaching the giddy heights of brother Ted’s soccer successes, he would always turn out when asked, and always tried his utmost for the team. In all these sporting activities Bob was ever popular with his fellow players, and here again, very strong, lifelong bonds were formed. He simply loved his sport and the comradeship that went with it.

Bob truly delighted in his growing number of nieces and nephews, retaining an active interest in their development. They in turn greatly loved their dear Uncle Bob. Such relationships were broadened further as Bob gained a still wider family following his marriage to Christine in 1983. The marriage blessing service took place here at St. Mary’s Church. In time two more little lovelies were born to Christine’s son and daughter in law. To Bob’s great pleasure they referred to him as “Grandad Bob.”

Bob loved the countryside, and was very observant as he took his dog for a walk. In my parish councillor days Bob would often let me know of a footpath blockage, a stile needing repair, or some interesting wildlife sighting. He loved gardening and growing things, and was a great help to my dad in this respect during his time with us. He still kept a well maintained allotment until recently.

I always felt that in his own special way Bob was a very spiritual person, always seeming grateful for the many good things in his life, never raising his voice, always very pleased to see an old acquaintance or make a new friend. After leaving the village Bob sponsored a seat next to his beloved cricket pitch on the common, by way of thanks for all the happy years spent by the Benn family hereabouts.

All who knew Bob will truly miss him. Yet if we can all follow his great example regarding the true value of friendship, of loyalty, of loving family relationships, and in his care and respect for all living things, then his spirit will live on amongst us. It is in this way that both the young and not so young who were fortunate enough to have known Bob will benefit as we journey on through life, and we will be the richer.

Peter Fox

REDBOURN CARE GROUP

As I write these notes in early February, preparations are being made to hold a service of thanksgiving for the life of Peggy Lambert. As the wife of our President, Cyril, Peggy played a very considerable part in the week by week running of the Group. Quietly, in the background, Peggy made us officers welcome every week as we held our Monday meetings to manage our affairs. A warm greeting, along with a hot cuppa and some nibbles, were always provided by Peggy.

Peggy was unstinting in her backing of Cyril throughout his 27 years of magnificent service to Redbourn Care Group. For me, one of the best memories of Peggy will be when John Fisher and I had the great pleasure of taking her and Cyril to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in recognition of their service to our community. At this function we met Canon Christine Farrington, with whom Cyril worked closely in the late 70s and early 80s on developing the community work of the St Mary’s pastoral team. It is fitting that Christine, now our Rural Dean, will officiate at the service of thanksgiving.

Outings Annie Lowe and her team continue to plan interesting trips out and about and would love to welcome some new faces along with our old “regulars”. The cost is minimal, the company good, and the service is door to door. To find out more, please call the office on 794550 or 794615.

Our efforts continue to ensure that our precious volunteers can carry out their work with us safely and with as little fuss and regimentation as possible. On professional advice, we are required to ensure that all our voluntary work complies with the ever changing legislation, and that our people are adequately protected. We also have to keep secure records to show that this is what we are doing, no more than is absolutely necessary. We are constantly reviewing how best we can comply, and we are more than ready to talk with any of our people who have concerns. Put simply, we have a duty of care to our volunteers and to those we serve. Our task is to carry out this duty properly, but with the least possible inconvenience to those loyal volunteers working with us.

Peter Fox, Chairman RCG

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REDBOURN CARE GROUP

Well, it’s hard to believe, but Christmas is over already and we turn our thoughts to the year ahead and to the February issue of the Common Round.

All of us at the Care Group wish all readers some peace, joy and fulfilment in the year ahead. Perhaps, most importantly of all, we earnestly hope that no Redbourn resident suffers loneliness within our midst without their knowing that there are many individuals and groups in this caring community who are very willing to help combat that dreadful feeling if need be.

Due to our preparations for the imminent publication of a new information pamphlet about the Redbourn Care Group, we have been taking stock of who we are, why we are here, and where we are going in the challenging times ahead. One of our main conclusions is that if we can play our full part in being aware of loneliness, and being able to respond accordingly, virtually all else falls into place.

Of course it’s not that simple, and we know that one can be lonely in a room full of people, but if we can, in co-operation with others at work in the caring field, get across to all residents that help and friendly human contact is there if needed, then we will have succeeded in our task.

Over many, many years, Redbourn has been blessed with a very good Meals-on-Wheels service. It has been a privilege for the Care Group to help this splendid folk now and again in small ways over those years, and we will continue to do so. In that time we have been very impressed with the long and loyal service to the scheme by many volunteers.

Some forty two years ago, Mrs Elizabeth Stovin began her work with the M-o-W team, not only delivering, but organising volunteer lists and dealing with the finances; for many of those years, with the help of Post Master Cyril Lambert, himself first Chairman and now Life President of the Care Group. How fortunate this village has been to have been served for so long with such staunch care and loyalty!

Elizabeth and Cyril are now handing over their various caring duties to others who, inspired by such high standards, will try hard to maintain them. We wish them many days of peace and tranquillity, and the occasional warm inner glow of a job truly well done. Also, many congratulations to Elizabeth on reaching one of those special birthdays recently, still with that warm gentle smile firmly in place.

The year ahead is going to be a challenging one for the RCG, with some big decisions to be made, and much careful planning required to bring our future aspirations to fruition. We feel we are up for the job, and know how well we are supported by our precious volunteers, but we could always do with some more of the talents, time and skills abounding in this community. Why not get in touch and find out more. Just a couple of hours a month can be very useful to us. A warm, friendly welcome awaits!

Peter Fox, Chairman RGC, 793303 Office: 794550

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REDBOURN CARE GROUP

As we go boldly into the new year, I would like to wish all those splendid folk who are responsible for the production and distribution Redbourn Common Round, and all its readers, a happy and prosperous New Year. I do so on behalf of the officers executive committee and all its loyal volunteers serving the Redbourn Care Group.

Having been asked recently, who or what is the Care Group? (by a resident of some years’ standing) it was felt appropriate at this time of renewal to restate who we are and what we seek to do. So, with apologies to regular readers, here is a summary of our activities.

Care Office, Redbourn Village Hall, High Street, Redbourn. Tel: 01582 794550

The office is open 9:30 - 12 noon Monday to Friday.

Care Group registered charity number: 297955

Contact the Care Office for more details of:

Transport for Doctor, Dentist, Optician, Foot Clinic and Hospital Appointments.

We provide voluntary private transport for trips to the above. Please try to give 48 hours notice. Out of office hours, please leave a message on the answer phone. Mileage at 30p per mile is normally paid to drivers to cover running costs.

Prescription Pick Up. Please ring the Care Office for details.

Street Contact Scheme

We have “contacts” in about 50 streets in Redbourn who are ready to give assistance or help. They will also give Information Packs to new residents. Please ring the Care Office for details.

Shopping

We take villagers to Sainsbury’s on Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings and to the village shops on Thursday mornings.

Meals on Wheels Meals are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at a small cost. Please phone the organiser Mrs June farmer (792016) for details.

Library Books If you know anyone who is housebound and would like to read books or listen to tapes from the library please let us know.

Talking Newspapers for the Blind

We can arrange for a representative to call and give information about this service.

Security

Arrangements can be made for chains and spyholes to be fitted to doors.

Help for Carers Meetings are held in the area to give support to people who are caring for severely handicapped people. If anyone needs help, we can put them in touch with the organisation.

Aids for the Disabled We have wheelchairs available for temporary loan, and also motorised scooters. We have various catalogues of aids eg tap levers, folding walking sticks, large handled cutlery etc.

Hearing Aids Monthly sessions are held in the Care Office for those who require small adjustments or batteries to their hearing aids.

Redbourn Day Centre A doctor needs to recommend that a person should have a place at St Mary’s Day Centre and the office needs to be contacted. We can then arrange transport. Outings Please let us know if anyone in your road would be interested in going on minibus outings. We normally run an outing once a month in the afternoon. Please contact the Care Office for dates and details.

The Monday Swim Departure from The Cricketers 8:25am, High Street (new Forge Place) 8:30am. For more details phone the Care Group office.

Redbourn Village Monday Club or the 224 Club meets 2 - 4pm in St Mary’s Church Transept Hall. A group whose ages range from the early 60s to ???? A typical afternoon shared by a group of friendly people. There may be vacancies for more people and transport is available. Phone Redbourn Care Group office.

Good Companions meets every other Thursday afternoon in the Village Hall from 2pm to 4pm. Tea and biscuits are provided. We collect and take home residents and can put you in touch with the organisers. Volunteers are always needed. An hour a month or as much as you like.

See http:www.redbourn.org.uk for more information.

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Jan 2007

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November Newsletter

I would like to open these notes with tribute to Wyndham Williams, who so sadly and suddenly passed away just a few short weeks ago. Wyndham was a great supporter of the Care Group, and will always be remembered for his long association with our weekly task of getting folk to and from the village Day Centre. Wyndham drove the care bus for many years and was very sad when, on medical advice, he had to give up his voluntary work which he so enjoyed doing. He was unfailingly cheerful, and always had a friendly word or four for all those he encountered as he went about his work with us.

More than this, he encouraged his dear wife Mollie, who has herself been a Day Centre helper for many years, to become Care Group secretary when this post became vacant a few years ago. This special couple greatly enjoyed their Golden Wedding celebrations recently, and so joined that very cherished and remarkable list of couples who have achieved their Golden Wedding anniversary whilst both having been regularly involved with the work of the Care Group.

St Mary’s was packed for the funeral service, and we said farewell to a true friend and colleague with some very lusty singing of a couple of his favourite Welsh hymns. He set a fine example to his loving family, and to all of us, by being ever mindful of the needs of others, and happily doing what he could to help whenever he was able.

Our Care Group President, Cyril Lambert, and his wife Peggy have both had to take a step back from their close involvement with the day to day running of the Group due to ill health. Here we have another couple whose names appear on that cherished list referred to above. Cyril continues as President, and we retain access to his wise counsel on community caring matters. Peggy is home again after a spell in hospital, and we will do all we can to support their efforts to enjoy some rest and peace after many years of dedicated work within our community.

Our Annual General Meeting takes place in the Village Hall on 26th October at 7:00 for 7:30pm (the same day as this edition is published). We hope for as much support from the village as possible, and we are always ready to welcome new volunteers to our ranks. There are many new challenges ahead of us and we would greatly welcome new friends to help us continue with our efforts to respond to the growing number of requests we get for a helping hand.

Please give me a ring for further information on 793303.

Like so many before you, you may well find that getting involved with the local caring effort brings its own rewards, such as new friendships, the old inner glow at a job well worth doing and, hopefully, well done; there is clear evidence that such involvement helps keep you young at heart.

Our regular outings programme of various trips in the care bus continues into the winter months, and a call to Annie Lowe on 794615, or the office on 794550, will give further details and a chance to book a place.

We now begin to leave the beautiful autumn behind and move into the shorter, colder days of winter. For some potentially lonely folk, it can be a time of dread. One of the main aims of the Care Group is to help fight loneliness. We have many contacts with groups who offer friendship and support, and would like to know of anyone who needs a little support through the cold winter days.

A friendly smile often helps so, if you meet someone feeling a bit sad and low and without a smile, give them one of yours.

For more general community information, visit the award winning Redbourn Website and use the Redbourn Care Group links Peter Fox, Chairman R.C.G.

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October 2006 Newsletter

All of us in the Care Group were shocked and saddened by the recent sudden death of our former outings organiser Anita Edwards. Anita joined our office staff as a volunteer in the late nineties. She later became our outings organiser and was very well known and respected by those who enjoy these monthly trips. Although a somewhat private person, Anita had a long history of volunteering, was very well travelled, loved her golf, and enjoyed her retirement years in Redbourn, where she earned the respect of those she worked with in her volunteering and sporting life. We were present at her cremation, which took place at Garston in September.

It was a great pleasure recently to meet members of the local RAOB at their regular Sunday morning lodge gathering. They are perhaps better known to us as “The Buffs”. This lodge has met for many a year at The Bull Inn on a Sunday morning and has a proud tradition of supporting local charitable causes. On behalf of the Care Group I received a cheque for £500.

Village Web-site Editor Bob Boutland came along with me to record the event and, later that same day, Bob’s report and pictures were winging around the globe via the village web-site. By the way, Redbourn village web-site is gaining a strong reputation, and is a great way to keep up to date on all the community aspects and events which make up the rich pattern of village life.

I would also like to report that the Freemasons’ Bourn Lodge generously supported the Care Group in the purchase of the special wheelchair we provided to enable disabled folk to use the splendid new Bowls facility at Redbourn Recreation Centre.

It was a great honour and privilege to be invited by St Mary’s Churchwardens to take part in the service of institution and induction of the Reverend Will Gibbs as Vicar of Redbourn on 6th September. On behalf of the Care Group, the Ver Valley Society and other local groups with whom I work, I offered Will, Claire and daughter Olivia the very warmest and most sincere of village welcomes.

We also welcome Reverend Robert Foster, Minister of Redbourn Methodist Church and Superintendent of the Harpenden Circuit. For the first time, Redbourn has a Methodist minister resident in our village and we are delighted to welcome Robert and his wife Liz.

The service provided many with the opportunity to meet Robert and Liz and we look forward to knowing them better and to working with them.

Volunteers from the faith groups to the Care Group have always played an indispensable part in our work and we look forward to collaboration with Will and his family and with Robert and Liz, as well as our friends at the Baptist Church and St John Fisher, in the continuance of this ever increasing task.

Outings

The monthly programme into the autumn and winter is taking shape, and details can be obtained by contacting Annie Lowe on 794615 or the Care Group office on 794550.

I cannot end this month’s notes without referring to yet another admirable example of how well the finer side of the human spirit thrives within this community. Joyce Rowlands, New Forge Place resident, at the age of 81 years young, decided on a sponsored Tandem Parachute Jump in aid of McMillan Nurses, as a family birthday treat. Joyce said she enjoyed the 10,000ft descent very much, being strapped to her “hunky young man”. The Care Group was pleased to contribute collectively to this heart warming effort and there were individual sponsors from our ranks as well. It is not too late to support Joyce in this magnificent event and our office staff at the Village Hall will be pleased to receive further donations, any weekday morning from 9:30am until 12 noon, to be passed on to Joyce to add to the hundreds of pounds already raised for this worthy cause. Peter Fox - Chairman RCG 15 Sep 2006

See also: - Redbourn Care Group, Phoenix Holidays, Grove House

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