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Charity News
Well it's 2022, lets hope this year will be less, well, weird, than the last one. I now know how my dog feels (he's fully vaccinated too). No recipe this month, well it's been turkey sandwiches all week, I did a nice turkey, stuffing and chorizo pasta bake, and then forgot to take a picture of it, so its nothing from the kitchen this month. We do have lots of other stuff though, so, please read on.
We hope you enjoyed last month's newsletter If you missed it here is a link: Click here to see
If you want to be a member of Northants Parkinson's People then, please
Join Us Here
Fit&fab Christmas dinner (photos are also on our Facebook page)
Northants Parkinson's People did not have an official Christmas get together this year, but Fit&Fab Exercise group attendees got together as is their tradition. Doug wrote this about the event.....
On the 7th of December, I along with several other members of Fit & Fab attended the Fit & Fab Christmas dinner held at the Queen Eleanor. It is my opinion that it was a success, and everyone enjoyed the lunch, and it seems that a good time was had by all, despite the foul weather (I swear Angela and I were passed by Noah on the Newport Pagnell road).
Many thanks are due to Sylvia, for organising and coordinating everything. Also, thanks to the crew for running the raffle and to everyone who helped by supplying the prizes, even though I did hear someone commenting, that it could be the longest raffle on record. But that in itself provided a lot of fun and laughter, but hey ho all is well.
Lastly "Many Thanks" to all who attended, from me and on behalf of the committee of N.P.P. The monies that were raised on the raffle; £97 in total, have been donated to Northants Parkinson's People.
Thank you all
Doug Buckle (chair NPP)
Christmas Cards
Many thanks again to Pat who has been working hard on her fantastic Christmas cards, I hope you know Pat also does custom or special occasion cards. You can view and purchase these from Sylvia at either the Monday or Wednesday walks (racecourse car park) or after Fit&fab on Thursdays. Alternatively, email Sylvia at [email protected] if you want to buy or discuss options.
Please get your Friends and Families involved
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Even if you don't shop online, maybe your friends or families do.
Please ask them to help too
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Fit&Fab January 2022 Dates
We will be back on the 6th of January 2022. This will be a 1-hour session as its the 1st fit&fab of the month
Mask Update: Could you please wear a mask coming into Church Rooms and to pay but once seated you can take them off. No one has to wear in cafes etc so we don't need to wear during coffee time. Please continue to regularly test and of course if you have been in touch with anyone with Covid please don't attend. Stay safe everyone.
Any questions you can call me 07954 099 537
Virtual Pub Quiz
For this month only (don't want any excuses, got a hangover etc) we are having the quiz on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Every 1st Saturday of the month USUALLY. (next one is 8th January 11:00 am) Zoom in with the in-crowd. Several rounds of General Knowledge, Music and Pictures. A bit of a social at the end.
Walk In the Park- Update
The walk in the park combines exercise, fresh air, good company and Coffee (Wednesdays, The Old Grocery Espresso Bar, Colwyn Rd and The Park Café on Fridays) We are working on a venue for Monday walks.
The full itinerary
- Mondays 10:30, RACECOURSE, meet at the Pavilion car park.
- Wednesdays 10:30, RACECOURSE, meet at the Pavilion car park
- Fridays 10:30, ABINGTON PARK, Meeting at the bowling green/tennis courts. The nearest entrance is in Christchurch Road. If you use the 'What three Words' app on your phone the location is ///lace.hiking.drain
Northants Parkinson's People contact details are
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Sports Report!
N.Y.P.D goes Go-Karting
Now you cannot say that those of the N.Y.P.D spend most of the regular meetings just in the Hungry Horse or Zooming. Why they have ventured even to the exacting sport of snooker. These gruelling matches have been known to last for hours, and that’s just for one frame!! The determination on the opposing team not to laugh as a miss or when the wrong ball finally finds a pocket is admirable. Then there is the highly demanding ten pin bowling evening, it’s just amazing to watch, as ball after ball inevitably rolls forlornly into the gutter! Yep, we are all to a man* fit and ready for a challenge. (*Sorry Ladies, you are more than welcome to join us; no, really.)
The idea of Karting began following an amiable meal and a few pints of shandy at the usual watering hole at Sixfields as the evening was drawing to a close, the idle banter turned to what should the next challenge be? Outside activities were problematical with the short hours of daylight and the potential lengthy duration searching for those lost in the dark, so orienteering was out, along with golf. Surely it wasn’t going to be bowling again! How about Go-Karting; Silence.
And so, this reporter can confirm that on Tuesday 7th December in the year 2021, ten good men and true ventured into the world of Karting!
Now your reporter would not dream of making any excuses about age discrimination, team friendship and comradery, but something happened to bring out the kamikaze version of Mr Gran Prix driver. After all, we all saw the same safety briefing, didn’t we? And as the pre-race photos will confirm, comrades one and all, it was going to be fun; wasn’t it?
'Well, no one died'
So, this is what happened (I think!) Five laps to determine grid position. OK. But when you’re martialled into a position as near as dam it at the back, I cannot report who was in pole. (Well we were all dressed in the same colour overalls and safety helmets, so bear with me).
Red lights flicker off and green means go, go, GO. (Sorry Murry Walker!) So your intrepid reporter went. Now you have to remember, mirror, indicate, manoeuvre just isn’t
in the manual for Karting. It’s just pounce on the accelerator and leave it there. Yes, leave it there!
Now I forgot to mention. You drive sitting in a hard plastic “seat” that’s a whisker from making contact with the floor, and it appears they have omitted to install power steering: oh! And no seatbelt! Karting isn’t suited to the faint-hearted and those with slower reaction times. But that to one side for a moment; the adrenalin kicks in right from the start, convincing you you’re doing at least 150 mph! Corner, don’t break, just point and hang on; made it. Now the next, and do it all again. Lap one, go round again. You get the idea?
It was around lap 12 (I can’t be sure) that your reporter, being struck from behind, made an impressive impact with the barrier. So impressive in fact, that the marshals had to drag the kart out by hand (there is no reverse gear) before racing could continue. Can I just say to the driver who rear ended me, you know who you are, and yes I’m OK. (I have my suspicions who it was!) So on we go, lap after lap, until finally the chequered flag signalled the end of the race and a return to the pits (Kart park), turn off the engine, and alight from the Kart. Your reporter has to admit that it took two of the competitors to extract me from the seat; not a pretty sight!
So how did we all do?
Well, no one died, and almost all felt pleased with their efforts, some more than others. But now we had all gathered back and away from trackside, a hush descended on the room as the results were announced. I’m pleased to report that despite some serious challenges’ by the young ‘stand-ins’, Andrew from NYPD won. Congratulations Andrew. And where did your reporter come; well not quite last!
Now you might ask why there are only a couple of photos in this article, one of the group before the race, and one of the podium. Well, you can’t have handheld devices while driving, and shall I just say that the only known group photo taken at the end hasn’t been included to save any embracement from those taking part. (Trust me, it’s awful!!!).
So, in conclusion, it was fun, an experience, but would we do it again? You’ll have to wait and see!
A big thanks from everyone to Steve Wills for promoting the idea of Go-Karting and organising the event.
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THE QUIZ
- Which team of sportsmen wear a "BAGGY GREEN"?
- In which month does a " STRAWBERRY MOON" occur?
- In French it's called " LA JOCONDE", in Italian it's called "LA GIOCONDA", what is it called in English?
- The fruit "TANGERINE" is named after which city in North Africa?
- Which test cricket ground in London was also used to play the F.A. CUP FINAL?
- South African doctor CHRISTIAAN BARNARD, was the first to do what?
- What is the old name for the element MERCURY?
- If you indulge in PHILATELY, what are you doing?
- Which 250-mile footpath, extends between EDALE and KIRK YETHOLM?
- What is the common name of the TRACHEA, in the human body?
Answers down the page away
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Thinking of the year to come
Happy New Year everyone. If you are a member of Northants Parkinson's People (you do need to join if you wish to be, here is the link: https://northantsparkinsonspeople.uk/joinus/ )
You will have been sent an email from Nanette, who is our lovely membership secretary. We are asking everyone - not just the members who have already joined but everyone who receives this newsletter, what services/activities you would like us to organise next year.
As you know we have three walks a week, these are run by volunteers.
Angela is available via the helpline to help with benefits/blue-badge/housing etc claims or any other help and information.
Sylvia makes friendship support calls to keep everyone feeling connected.
Fit&Fab exercises - face to face & zoom are independent from the Charity but we work closely together.
NEW FOR 2022
We will be starting a monthly lunch club. Meeting at the Queen Eleanor to enjoy the very reasonable and tasty grub. More details to follow.
Other suggestions - your thoughts would be appreciated, please.
Seaside visits? Does anyone fancy a paddle and a stroll along the prom prom prom??
Theatre Trips - Stately Homes - Places of Interest ??
OR MORE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Would anyone be interested in a 'support day'? - for people with Parkinson's and their partners - Val Hamblin used to organise this type of service and it was extremely beneficial.
How about a Day Centre? - Angela used to organise the Tulip Group, just for people with Parkinson's to have a day out and enjoy different activities.
We started Northants Parkinson's People to provide our Northamptonshire community support which was no longer provided by other Parkinson's Charities. Please let us know what would help you the most - if you don't tell us we won't know.
Thank you very much, everyone and let's hope 2022 will bring peace and joy.
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Gardening for newsletter 33
The end of another year! Or, as I like to look at it, the beginning of a new one in the garden! In last month’s article, I mentioned the very noticeable lack of rain. I should definitely have kept my mouth firmly shut as it has hardly stopped since.
Ok so here are a few jobs which can be done in the greenhouse, shed or kitchen if it is raining.
If you like to grow your own chillies then now is the time to start them. Use small 2” pots filled with peat-free compost. Put two seeds in each pot spaced apart from one another. Cover with a thin layer of compost and water. Place the pot in a clear plastic bag and put in a warm, light place such as the kitchen window sill. Of course, if you have a heated propagator this is ideal for germination of the seeds. Chilli seeds can take up to four weeks to germinate so don’t think after two weeks that nothing is growing and throw them away! Once the plants have produced two sets of leaves they can be transplanted into individual 3” pots until well established. In a few months, the plants can be put into large pots or directly into the ground. I have always found them to do best in large pots in a sheltered sunny spot or the greenhouse.
Sweet peas can now be sown in pots indoors too. Soak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight. Sow in 3” pots, three seeds per pot spaced out and about ½” deep. Water and then seal in a clear plastic bag and keep on the kitchen window sill. Germination can take 7-21 days. When the plants have several pairs of leaves nip the growing point out as this will encourage bushy growth. I usually remove the plastic once the plants appear and place the pots in my cold conservatory. Then around the end of February beginning of March, I put them in the cold greenhouse. Sweet Peas can withstand quite low temperatures but need the heat to germinate. In fact, if you like, you can sow the sweet pea seeds directly into the ground in March. However, I have found that by giving them a head start, when I do transplant them into the large outdoor pot I get a longer flowering season.
Outdoors (if it stops raining)
Check the leaves on Hellibore plants which, by the way, are also known as the Christmas Rose. Cut off any damaged, blotched or older leaves thus giving room and light for the emerging buds. This is a picture from 2021 of one of my hellibores. Hopefully this is how it will look again this coming March.
Finally, Clematis which flower from late June to October should be pruned now. Just look for where the 2021 growth started. Gather the stems together in your hand and cut them off. Don’t worry about being too precise as the plant will produce new buds in the Spring. Clear the upper growth from the support and it will be ready for climbing again.
Happy 2022 in the garden!
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- THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM (ITS THE NAME FOR THEIR CAPS)
- JUNE
- THE MONA LISA
- TANGIERS
- THE OVAL (IN 1872 THE FA CUP FINAL, WANDERERS vs ROYAL ENGINEERS WAS PLAYED)
- HEART TRANSPLANT
- QUICKSILVER
- COLLECTING POSTAGE STAMPS
- THE PENNINE WAY
- THE WINDPIPE
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And Finally...
One of my favourite paintings, not just for the glorious image but also for the story it tells and the lesson it gives.
The reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks was painted by Russian artist Ilya Repin. The 2m by 3.5m (11 foot 9 inch) canvas was started in 1880 and finished in 1891 (11 years!). Emperor Alexander III bought the painting for 35,000 rubles, at the time the greatest sum ever paid for a Russian painting. Since then, the canvas has been exhibited in the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg.
 So, what's so special about it. Well, it was painted 200 years after it was alleged to have happened. According to the story, the Zaporozhian Cossacks who lived around the lower Dnieper River in Ukraine, had defeated Ottoman Empire forces in battle. However, Sultan Mehmed IV ignored this fact and wrote demanded that the Cossacks submit to Ottoman rule. The Cossacks, led by Ivan Sirko, were an illiterate lot so hired a scribe to compose a reply. The painting depicts the cossacks as they dictated their reply, showing their pleasure as they strived to come up with ever more base vulgarities.
So the Emporer's letter to the cossacks who had defeated his army was
Sultan Mehmed IV to the Zaporozhian Cossacks:
As the Sultan; son of Muhammad; brother of the sun and moon; grandson and viceroy of God; ruler of the kingdoms of Macedonia, Babylon, Jerusalem, Upper and Lower Egypt; emperor of emperors; sovereign of sovereigns; extraordinary knight, never defeated; steadfast guardian of the tomb of Jesus Christ; trustee chosen by God Himself; the hope and comfort of Muslims; confounder and great defender of Christians - I command you, the Zaporogian Cossacks, to submit to me voluntarily and without any resistance, and to desist from troubling me with your attacks.
--Turkish Sultan Mehmed IV
To which the Zaporozhian Cossacks answered:
Zaporozhian Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan!
O sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight are thou, that canst not slay a hedgehog with your naked ****? The devil *****, and your army eats. Thou shalt not, thou son of a whore, make subjects of Christian sons; we have no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee, **** thy mother.
Thou Babylonian scullion, Macedonian wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-********** of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, pig of Armenia, Podolian thief, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, an idiot before God, grandson of the Serpent, and the crick in our dick. Pig's snout, mare's ****, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw thine own mother!
So the Zaporozhians declare, you lowlife. You won't even be herding pigs for the Christians. Now we'll conclude, for we don't know the date and don't own a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year with the Lord, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our ****!
Koshovyi otaman Ivan Sirko, with the whole Zaporozhian Host
 The characters portray their joy of making up insults to a distant and, in their eyes, powerless, pompous fool. Even the hired scribe seems to be enjoying the process.
In the 19th century, the historical Zaporozhian Cossacks were sometimes the subject of picturesque tales demonstrating admiration of their primitive vitality and contemptuous disregard for authority (in marked contrast to the more civilized subjects of the authoritarian Russian state). Whether the incident portrayed actually happened or is just another of these tales is not known, no concrete or reliable evidence exists that it did happen but the tale is mentioned in the novel TARUS BULBA. You will know the film version (1969) starring Tony Curtis and Yul Brynner.
The lesson? well, just when we think we have some dodgy diplomat in the world today, it could be worse! and when they come out with something stupid, let them know it!
If you want to hear these letters, the excellent Letters Live series is on Youtube The letters above are read here...
Olivia Colman and Adrian Eddson - Hilarious Ottoman and Cossack Reading | Letters Live on Youtube
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