Newsletter No.
003
Welcome
to number 3 of Northants
Parkinson’s People Bulletin.
We hope you have enjoyed
number 1 and 2 but if you
missed these and would like to
see them please email Sylvia
at: [email protected]
Thank
you very much for your
positive comments and
encouragements. Our
distribution list grows by the
day but please do let Sylvia
know if any of your friends,
family or colleagues would
like a copy.
This
month we have a further
instalment from Doug’s army
days, another extract from
Simon’s new book and expert
gardening tips from Sylvia
plus a few new contributors –
we hope you enjoy.
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NYPSG's
Trip to the Black Country
Museum June 2019
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Carlene
and John
report on The
Northants Younger
Parkinson's support
group's trip to the
Black Country
Museum.
We
set off by coach for a
summer s day outing to
The Black Country
Living Museum (TBCLM)
The rain was pouring
down as we got on the
coach...The rain was
pouring as we were
travelling to the
museum...
It was pouring ALL the
time we were there...
and on the way
back?... yes you
guessed it, it rained
all the way home.!
Were we
downhearted?...A bit
But we still managed
to have a lovely day
out.
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There
was old bus to take us to see
the homes,shops, chapel,school
,and workplace, also hear how
living there was in the
Victorian era.John and I had our
lunch in the Working Institute
Cafe, Which was very good and
tasty The desserts were great
too.
From start to finish The staff
at TBCLM were helpful , friendly
and made it a enjoyable day
despite the weather. |
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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
YOUNGER PARKINSON’S
SUPPORT GROUP
Invite
you to their meetings held on
the 1st Saturday of each month
at The Barratt Sports and Social
Club, 42 Kingsthorpe Road,
Northants, NN2 6HT starting at
10.30 am. Free coffee/tea on
arrival. This is a social event
for people with Parkinson’s,
carers, friends and family to
meet together and talk to like
minded people. We have speakers
come along to some meetings to
talk about a variety of topics.
Many of us stay afterwards and
enjoy a nice lunch (and drink)
off the extensive menu. There is
no monthly charge, but we do ask
for £5.00 per person per year
membership if you wish to
join. (don't let the YOUNGER in
our name put you off, ANY
AGE IS WELCOME)....
We hope to see you soon. For more
details call Sue: (H) 01933
274856 (M) 07785
584793 email: [email protected]
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Northants
Parkinson’s People challenge
Parkinson’s UK Northampton
Branch to help tackle
loneliness and isolation
Most
humans are social creatures
and have a desire for human
contact. Having a sense of
connectiveness whether from an
individual or a group is an
intrinsic part of human
behavior. It is not difficult
to find research which proves
that having connections with
others is actually imperative
for our mental and physical
health.
Sadly,
but not surprisingly there is
also evidence that social
isolation and loneliness are
associated with negative health
outcomes, especially in older
adults. Loneliness is strongly
linked to perceived poor quality
of life and feelings of
loneliness increase with age due
to loss of friends, poor health
and lack of mobility.
People with Parkinson’s are at a
greater risk of becoming
socially isolated due to
difficulties with mobility
affecting their ability to
access the wider environment.
Often individuals also feel self
-conscious of other symptoms and
avoid social situations thus
leading to feelings of
loneliness.
This is a double edged sword; Dr
Laurie Mischley, who monitors
the progress of symptoms of more
than 1500 people with
Parkinson’s claims “the single
biggest predictor of rate of
Parkinson’s progression is if
you answer yes to ‘are you
lonely?” …
Northants Parkinson’s People are
concerned that local people with
Parkinson’s, who find themselves
lonely and isolated are being
forgotten. This group of under
supported people is growing due
to population growth and an
increasing aging population PLUS
the estimated prevalence and
incidence of Parkinson’s in the
UK is expected to grow.
Prevalence of Parkinson’s is
expected to rise by around 18%
between 2018 and 2025 to over
168,000. By 2065, the prevalence
and incidence numbers are
predicted to have almost doubled
(Parkinson’s UK).
The NHS is preparing for this by
recruiting two new Parkinson’s
Disease Nurses in
Northamptonshire which is very
good news for us. However, we
would like to challenge the
Northampton local branch of
Parkinson’s UK to address this
problem. Instead of asking
individuals to join you for
jollies and pints!! We want to
know how Parkinson's UK local
branch is going to
help individuals who can’t get
out of their houses and who are
socially isolated and lonely.
Northants Parkinson’s
People suggest Parkinson's UK
Northampton Branch funds
a visiting service, especially
for people affected by
Parkinson’s. The branch
receives donations from local
people who expect this to be
used locally. A care agency
could easily be employed by
the branch to undertake this
activity. This would reduce
the feelings of loneliness and
isolation and result in better
health outcomes for those
individuals – thanks for
asking – we feel this would be
a great way to help the people
with Parkinson’s in our local
community who at present have
been forgotten.
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CHARLES
BRADLAUGH
Born Sept, 26, 1833
Died Jany. 30, 1891
On
Abington Square there is
a war memorial and a
statue of a man, Charles
Bradlaugh. Now who knows
anything about this
gentleman. I suspect the
reply would be not a lot
apart from some playing
fields and a pub.
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In
1866 he was a founder of the
National Secular Society which
believed in Atheism, Humanism
and in the betterment of the
lower/working classes. To this
end he with Annie Besant
published a treatise "The fruits
of Philosophy (private companion
of young married people)." This
was basically a sex guide with
particular inference towards
contraception. This was
obviously a very radical idea in
the mid 19th century. The idea
was to try and reach all parts
of society, at this time the
death rate of women in child
birth was huge, particularly in
the working class's. Obviously
this upset the government and
they prosecuted Bradlaugh and
Besant under the newly passed
Obscenity Laws. The subsequent
trial became the sensation of
the day and was followed avidly
by the press and public. This
was due in the main to the
details of the case and that
they defended themselves. The
result of the four weeks trial
was that they were found guilty
and sentenced to a substantial
fine or imprisonment. But due to
the uproar created by their
supporters this was quickly
quashed by the Judge Advocate
on a "technicality".
Later in 1880 Bradlaugh won the
seat of Northampton for the
Liberal Party. When trying to
take his seat in the House of
Commons resulted in his
expulsion as he tried to affirm
his alligence rather than take
the oath as he was an atheist,
the oath contained references to
God, he was threatened
with fines or imprisonment. As
the authorities found that they
could not charge him, he stood
in the subsequent by-election
and won. He also won the next
two as each time he was expelled
so 4 elections in all.
Eventually they changed the rule
so you can take an affirmation
rather than the oath, as indeed
is the case today when being
sworn in at court.
This is then part of the story
behind that statue and also a
tribute to the good folk of the
Town, when one local dignitary
said at the time "Mr Bradlaugh
we wanted, Mr Bradlaugh we shall
have" as an explanation of why
they kept voting for him. Always
contrary those people from
Northampton.
Doug and Charles hanging out in
Abington square and below
that the inscription on Charles'
plinth
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“THOROUGH.”
CHARLES BRADLAUGH
Born Sept, 26, 1833
Died Jany. 30, 1891
M.P. for Northampton
1880-1891
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Four times
elected to one
Parliament in vindication
of
the rights of
constituencies.
India, too, chose him as
her
representative.
A sincere friend of the
people,
his life was devoted to
progress, liberty, and
justice.
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Nordic
Walking Part 2
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I
hadn’t realised when I sat
down to write this, that
almost a year has passed
since the first article “Why
Nordic Walking?” was
written. So, what has
happened in that time?
Let’s start with a quick
reminder of the why Nordic
Walking has been promoted by
Parkinsons UK by reviewing
part of a paragraph written
last time.
We all acknowledge the fact
that exercise does play an
important role in slowing
the effects of Parkinsons,
(Angela makes sure of that!)
Nordic Walking has growing
evidence of its suitability
for both movement, stature,
and boosting
self-confidence.
Looking at the here and now,
how Nordic Walking has taken
off over the year, not just
with Fit and Fabs Friday
walks in Abingdon Park, we
have seen more and more
other groups of walkers
taking to the activity,
including the Kettering
Parkinsons group. We wish
them lots of success.
More training is being
organised at present
following on from the Nordic
Walking Champions launch
last year. The aim is to
encourage more individuals
to experience the benefits
we have gained from our
regular walks.
Focusing on us in Fit and
Fab. Can I help you with
your Nordic Walking, or can
I give you time to have a
go? Yes I can! I even have
poles at the ready! See how
far you can go. Meet
us every Friday in
Abington Park near the
bowling green at 10:30am.
We
are currently discussing
expanding our horizons and
considering other venues we
could enjoy – always being
mindful of inclusivity.
Perhaps we could organise a
second slightly more
challenging walk on another
day once or twice per month.
Let us know what you think?
Just
for the record, I may not
know much about line
dancing, but I am OK at
Nordic Walking!
Richard
Clifft. Parkinson's
Nordic Walking Champion
INWA Instructor
Any venue suggestions Call
Angela :07954 099 537
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Who's
Afraid of the
big bad wolf?
That's
Lupophobia if you
want
to get technical.
Not
afraid of wolves?
Maybe something
else? According to
NHS Wales figures
some 10 million
people in the UK
have a phobia.
Phobias are an
overwhelming fear of
an object, place,
situation, feeling
or animal. Phobias
are more pronounced
than fears and
develop when a
person has an
exaggerated or
unrealistic sense or
danger about a
situation or object.
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Some
phobias are triggered by
Traumatic events. Someone
who almost drowned when a
child might develop a phobia
of water for instance. Some
phobias are thought to be
connected to our
evolutionary origin as
mammals, where we are in
effect primed to fear
predators and the phobia
becomes an exaggerated
response. If you have a
phobia it can have a
profound effect on you, your
family and lifestyle. For
instance, If you fear flying
(Aviophobia) your family
might never board a plane
(unless they leave you
behind) So if you have a
Phobia what can you do about
it? Well some people are
aware they have one and take
great care in avoiding the
thing all together. On the
other hand...
Talk to your GP.
They can refer you to
behavioural therapy
specialists. If you have a
complex phobia such as
agoraphobia (a fear of open
spaces and public places)
they may refer you to a
mental healthcare
specialist, such as a
psychologist who can help.
An excellent 1st step for
Phobia or any Anxiety is the
AnxietyUK web
site. This long running
charity has useful
information on Phobias and
many other specific and non
specific causes of anxiety.
And finally. I resisted the
temptation to sprinkle this
article with light
hearted anecdotes on
Phobias... until noooowww!
Lupophobia
– in the article above, not
an official phobia but used
a lot on werewolf websites.
Luposlipaphobia
– made up by by Far Side
cartoon author Gary Larson.
The fear of being chased
around a table by wolves on
a freshly waxed floor, while
wearing socks.
Anatidaephobia
– the fear of ducks. The
fear of ducks phobia can be
a debilitating anxiety
condition, wherein, no
matter what one is doing or
where s/he is in the world,
they feel the constant
presence of a duck or goose.
(And this one is real!)
Aibohphobia
- This is a made up word
intended to signal what it
is based on it’s
construction. Aibohphobia is
a fear of palindromes or
words that read the same
forward and backward. Notice
that the word is actually a
palindrome.
Arachibutyrophobia
- This phobia is the fear of
peanut butter sticking to
the roof of your mouth. It
was first seen in the comic
Peanuts written by Charles
M. Schulz. The phobia was
later referred to in the
spy novel Dead Man’s Handle
by Peter O’Donnell
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I
REMEMBER
Part
Three
of Doug's
memories
of his Army
Service days
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Place.
Junior leaders battalion
RAOC
Time. May - July
1959
After basic training we
settled down to a regular
routine, I had been
allocated to Gordon House.
We had education each
morning and in the
afternoons drill/weapons and
PT or sport dependent on the
weather. The highlight of
week was Thursday because
that was pay day. The wage
was £2 17s.6d net per week
we ended up with £1-5s
(£1.25 today) in our hand
the remainder was held in
savings which we normally
drew at the end of term or
when going on leave. So all
in all it was a good life,
not yet 16, learning how to
strip down various weapons,
how to fire with real ammo,
good money and always
something to do.
In addition to this each
year the battalion would
deploy to Cornwall (3 houses
at a time) for 3 weeks. The
place we went to was Fort
Tregantle, St Anthony.
Whilst there we were given
tasks like camping out on 4
or 5 day trek or yomp across
Bodmin moor /Dartmoor or
occasionally when older
travel to the artillery
ranges at Manorbier south
Wales. This would entail
traversing the moors in
groups of 4 or 5 and using
only a compass and OS map we
had set points to reach each
day carrying a bivouac,
poncho and sometimes a
weapon (but not real ammo we
used blank fires) It was
great fun and thoroughly
enjoyable. There was also
occasionally the chance to
attend an outward bound
centre in North Wales or the
Brecon Beacons.
Another activity we had was
on the odd weekend you could
be chosen for what were
known as initiative tests,
an example of which was me
and another guy (Phil
Simmons) were given 3 days
hard rations, an OS map of
the area you were going to
(in this case Llanbedrog,
Lleyn peninsula North Wales,
our task: collect our house
officers rugby boots from
his parents home. We had
from midday Friday
until 23.59 hrs Sunday to
complete the task. We also
had only 10 shillings
between us. I always enjoyed
these tests. It really was
another age, could you
imagine 16 years old and
roaming the country thumbing
lifts. But they really were
happy days.
Until the next time
Doug
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Let's
Get Quizical No 3
- what
is the meaning of the
noun FISTMELE?
a) the egg
sack of the Trout. b)
a term used in
Archery. c) a
Romanian white wine
- Who
was to date the only
driver to win the F1
drivers championship
driving in a car of
his own design
- What
was unusual about the
FA cup final of 1945/6
and 1946/7?
- Which
jockey won the Grand
National in 2010 after
15 attempts?
- In
a studio report of the
1930s dismissed which
film star with the
following "Can't act,
can't sing, dances a
little"
- You
may have heard of New
Zealand but where is
the island of
Zealand?
Quiz
by Doug. Answers are
below
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Sylvia's
Gardening Tips.
What to
prune now...
Any clematis which has already
flowered and the flowers have
died off. Cut back as little
or as much as you wish. I
tend to cut back hard. Then
the new growth which will
appear over the remainder of
the summer will bear the
flowers next spring.
Any variegated leaf shrubs
which throw out one colour
stems , these should be cut
out otherwise the whole shrub
will eventually turn to one
colour.
Regularly dead head bedding
plants and other flowering
shrubs to keep them producing
flowers right through to
Autumn.
Camellia shrubs can be trimmed
a little to tidy their shape.
Give them some ericacious
feed and if weather very dry a
good watering as it is between
now and autumn that the new
buds start to form for next
spring.
DONT prune Buddliea , bush
fruits, or ornamental grasses.
Pictures Below
- Top
left my spring
flowering clematis,
- Bottom
left, clematis after
pruning.
- Top
right, the cucumbers are
growing.
- Bottom
right, Toms are heading
skyward too.
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I am
growing three types of
cucumber this year. An Fi
hybrid, a ridge and a lemon
cucumber . Hopefully in the
next newsletter I will have
some photos and news as to how
well (or not) they are
fruiting.
Sylvia |
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Parkinson’s
Disease
Take a Walk with me.
Another
extract from Simon
Ingram's latest book.
Simon is really happy to
hear any feedback - see
his Facebook page
contact at the end of
this extract - Enjoy …
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Chapter
2: Pushing Back The Walls Of
The Bubble.
The best way of explaining what
is meant by ‘living in a bubble’
is to imagine that you spend
your whole life inside an
inflated balloon. Not the
easiest existence as the
situation is made significantly
more difficult as the walls are
slowly collapsing as the balloon
has a puncture. However, it is
vital to understand that you can
re-inflate your world by simply
pushing back the walls by doing
something that challenges you
and more importantly, challenges
Parkinson's. The strength of the
task is set by you, the person
with the disease. The only
recommendation I can give is…be
brave!
Bournemouth Air Show –
August 2016
Probably,
the easiest way for me to try to
explain my theory of ‘pushing
back the walls of the bubble’ is
probably best understood by
giving an example. We’ve enjoyed
several visits to the
Bournemouth Air Show in recent
years. The day is a fabulous
example of 21st century
technologically advanced air
power mixed with some vintage
performances from classic
aircraft. All this while being
bathed in sunshine on the
south-coast, near perfect
conditions helping the many
thousands of spectators enjoy
this most spectacular, adrenalin
filled entertainment.
Although
I’m no anorak, over the years
I’ve probably learned enough
about the RAF and its superb
aircraft to wear an honorary
club badged Kagool for any
number of the associated,
notebook brigade who regularly
attend the annual air shows
throughout the UK. What helps
make the event so successful is
the diverse mixture of
attractions. Perhaps somewhat
predictably, the stalls selling
food, drinks and sweets are
amongst the busiest. At 50+
years of age I still find it
difficult to walk-on-by sweets.
In my younger days in a bygone
era they would have been
classified as ‘penny sweets’
making them sound almost
wholesome; most definitely not!
The sad probability being they
were laced with enough sugar and
emulsifiers (plus, other
‘goodies’) to help ensure that
anyone indulging in these treats
quickly becomes a victim of the
mega sugar rush. Amongst the
symptoms for this condition is
rapid talking, this is something
that can confuse the
inexperienced listener. To the
uneducated it can seem to be
utter gibberish, punctuated only
by a pause for breath and a
nervous laugh!
Another option on the day was for
those of us wishing to demonstrate
their football prowess by visiting
the Soccer ‘Shoot to Win’ stall.
The challenge being, to get 3
footballs through the correct
holes cut through the plywood
covering the goal, in the correct
sequence, you win £20…simple! At a
cost of £5 for 3 footballs I left
the stall considerably
poorer…bloody Parkinsons!!
It was immediately after the
football debacle that I first
noticed the Zip Wire starting at
an elevated point at the end of
the pier running back to a
designated point on the beach.
Maybe it was my way of trying to
regain a degree of credibility
within the group, all I know is
when I was asked if I wanted to
ride the cable from pier to beach
I immediately said I would.
Well we will find out if Simon did
take the Zip wire in next months
newsletter. more next time -Ed.
Anyone wishing to add any
of their own thoughts or ideas
are more than welcome to contact
me on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/simon.ingram.90
Simon Ingram
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Recipe
of the Month
Everyday Fruit Cake
Ingredients
- 400g mixed fruit (I also
include chopped glacé cherries
and chopped hazelnuts)
- 125g butter or stork
- 3 large eggs
- 60ml milk
- 1 rounded tablespoon of jam
(any)
- 125g soft brown sugar
- 250g self raising flour
- 2 teaspoons mixed spice
Make sure all ingredients are at
room temperature.
Oven 150 deg C (centre)
Grease and line cake or 2lb loaf
tin
- Put all ingredients except
fruit into bowl.
- Beat together well..but
don’t overdo it.
- Add fruit and fold in
gently.
- Put mixture in tin and
smooth top with back of spoon
making a slight dip in the
middle.
Place
in centre of oven for 1hour 45
minutes. You can stick a
skewer in the centre after hour
and a half . If it comes out
clean then it is cooked. I
have found that it needs the
full time however. This cake can
be cut into portions and
frozen. It keeps very
well.That’s why when I make it I
double the amounts up and make
two.
Sylvia
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We aim to...
We
aim to be an inclusive
group so if you have
an idea for an article
that you think would
be of interest then
get your idea to us.
You don't have to be a
journalist, and if you
find trouble getting
your idea onto paper
or email we'll give
you a helping hand
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Answers
to this months quiz
1) b. (A term used in Archery)
2) Jack Brabham 1966 (in a
Repco/Brabham).
3) The ball burst in both finals
(Charlton Athletic appeared in
both) they lost in 1945/6 and won
in 1946/7
4) A. P. "Tony" McCoy.
5). Fred Astaire.
6) Denmark |
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We have a community
facebook page, here is the link
please like and share: https://www.facebook.com/northantsparkinsonspeople/
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And
Finally...
Carers
will know you are sometimes
given discounts or free entrance
to attractions, theaters,
cinemas etc if you are
accompanying your disabled
partner/friend sometimes the
attraction will ask for proof of
the disability. (PIP or
Disability allowance paperwork.)
In other words, the emphasis is
proof of disability. Any
Carer visiting the Black country
museum recently was advised to
carry a Carers card (issued by
Northamptonshire Carers)
otherwise they would need to pay
full admission. The emphasis in
this case is proof of being a
Carer. 1st i'd ever heard of
this in 5 years of caring. Get
yours by phoning 01933 677907.
Please let us know if you know
of other uses for this card.
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