NEW PARK NEWS
Issue Number 8
January 2012
IN THIS ISSUE…

Looking back at December

January’s Birthdays

New Year Quiz

Writer’s Corner

Meet the Residents

Relative’s Reminders

Staff News

And all the rest of the news and
views from New Park
LOOKING BACK AT
DECEMBER…
But where to begin??? Well, rather
than looking back, I‘ll start with
where we are now and wish you all a
―Very Happy New Year‖ from all at
New Park House! Can you believe
that another year has just ended and
a new one has begun? Let‘s hope
2012 is filled with health and happiness for all — and wouldn‘t it be nice
to see some good news on TV and in
the newspapers for a change! I hope
you all had a safe and enjoyable
New Year and that your Christmas
was filled with festive family fun.
Of course, here at New Park,
December was not just about
Christmas, but much of the month
was filled with pre-Christmas
celebrations and preparations. On
December 5th, a group of
residents went on an outing to the
Potteries Museum, where our
Museum friend Andrew gave us a
guided tour of several areas of
interest. First we saw the Spitfire
airplane, designed by local man
Reginald Mitchell. We then went
to see the Staffordshire Hoard, the
famous Anglo-Saxon treasure dug
up in a farmer‘s field in Lichfield,
Only part of the Hoard is currently
on display at the Potteries
Museum; the rest is either in the
process of being cleaned and
restored or is on
display in
Birmingham Museum. And at the
moment, some of the treasure is
even touring America! But Andrew
told us that there will be a huge
new exhibition showing much
more of the Hoard next year at the
―New Park News‖ is published monthly by New Park House Care Home, Chivelstone Grove,
Trentham, Staffs. ST4 8HN
Tel: 01782– 657664
email: [email protected]
Potteries Museum, so it will be good
to make an outing or two to see that.
Ash Green Primary School Choir
visited us in the afternoon of
December 8th and they delighted all
with their concert of carols. We
toasted them with sherry and mince
pies and sang ―We Wish You a Merry
Christmas‖ to them when the concert
was over. They were delighted with
the very large tin of chocolates they
received as a ‘thank you‘ from all at
New Park.
The next day saw the Extension
Christmas Party, where everyone
feasted heartily, thanks to the hard
work of Steve and his merry crew of
kitchen staff. We also partied and
sang along to the karaoke sounds of
the wonderful Pete Goodwin, always
a popular visitor to New Park. December 11th saw a special Christmas
Tea Dance, with Chocolate Yule Log,
Christmas cake, mince pies, sherry
and wine. Instead of the usual oldtime favourites, the music was
Christmas-themed
and
included
many seasonal songs from singers
such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin
and Bing Crosby.
We all enjoyed a fabulous concert by
Trentham Brass Band and the local
Rotary Club choir on the evening of
December 15th. The weather was not
brilliant and the traffic was heavy, so
we were delighted that everyone
turned up to entertain us with a
wonderful performance of Christmas
carols and songs. We got out all the
bells we could find so that the residents could join in ringing bells as well
as singing along. And we all enjoyed
the mulled wine and mince pies provided by the catering team.
On December 16th, the Extension had
a visit from organist Richard Leighton,
who was a hit with his Christmas
concert. This was also the date for the
Main House Christmas Party. Once
again, Steve and his staff did a
fantastic job catering an excellent
buffet meal; there was plenty for all,
washed down with sherry, beer, wine
and cups of tea. And we were
fortunate enough to secure Pete
Goodwin to entertain us again at this
party, so once more a good time was
had by all. For an added bit of fun, we
conducted a Tombola stall which was
available to all residents and families.
Thanks to everyone who took part and
helped us to raise £33 for the Activities
Fund.
The fantastic singer, Johannah, visited
us to give her Christmas concert a few
days before Christmas. She had
already done twenty-six concerts in
December, so her voice was a little
strained, but she quickly warmed up
and entertained us all in her usual
―New Park News‖ is published monthly by New Park House Care Home, Chivelstone Grove,
Trentham, Staffs. ST4 8HN
Tel: 01782– 657664
email: [email protected]
fabulous style. We will look forward to
seeing Johannah, Richard Leighton and
Pete Goodwin again in 2012!
We also had bingo and Breathe City
Church, carols and quizzes…...and
before we could look round, it was
Christmas morning and Santa had
arrived! Every resident had a visit and a
gift from Santa, who spent a few minutes
talking to everyone and wishing them a
‗Merry Christmas‘. Santa‘s Elf took
photos of the meetings, and these will
be available soon!
Many, many thanks to all who helped to
make Christmas special for our residents. Whether you are family or a staff
member who donated items or bought
tickets for our fund-raising raffle or one
of our hard-working team of staff who
either dressed up and wore daft hats or
had a smile on their face as they worked
on Christmas Day—a very big ―THANK
YOU‖ for making this special time of
year even more special!
So, now we are back where this roundup of December‘s news started—New
Year! As we at New Park look forward to
celebrating many special events that
will take place in 2012, ranging from the
Chinese New Year of the Dragon, the
centenary of the
sinking of
the
Titanic, the Diamond Jubilee of Queen
Elizabeth II to the Olympics in London,
all that remains is to wish you all the
very best in 2012!
January Birthdays
Please join us in sending the
following residents our Best
Wishes for a…
“Very Happy
Birthday”
Dorothy Jackson:
January 2nd
Alfie Oultram:
January 9th
Joan Devall:
January 16th
Sybil Barlow:
January 25th
Nora Bailey:
January 31st
―New Park News‖ is published monthly by New Park House Care Home, Chivelstone Grove,
Trentham, Staffs. ST4 8HN
Tel: 01782– 657664
email: [email protected]
Santa visits resident Gladys Simms on Christmas morning.
Santa with Care Staff Dot Kearns and Ed Haines and Meal Time Assistant
Anita (centre).
Santa with resident
Heidi Edolls and...
...with Annie Tatton
and with (r) Hilda...
...Charlesworth and
Danny, our old Santa.
Betsy Chell enjoying a visit from Santa.
DECEMBER
Photo album
A visit from Santa for resident Cyril Walker.
Cecilia Mould gets a room visit and gifts from Santa.
Resident Millie Brammer gets a visit from husband
Mr. Brammer as well as from Santa.
MEET THE RESIDENTS!
Our new column, highlighting our residents, continues this month with Gladys
Simms (photo top right). Gladys was born in Longton on August 14th 1919. In her
youth, she had bright red hair and in 1937 she met William Henry Simms who was
an admirer of redheads. Within a month, they were married! William was a physical
training instructor and during his time in the Army, he and Gladys lived in different
areas, including spending the years of WWII in Portsmouth. Between raising two
children, William Jnr. and Dawn, Gladys worked in chemists, both in Portsmouth
and the Potteries, where she dispensed prescriptions. Now widowed, Gladys has
five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
There has been something of a military tradition in Gladys‘ family; son William Jnr.
joined the army and other family members saw service in the Boer War, World
Wars I and II. Some gave their lives in the fighting. World War I saw many casualties, not only in the fields of France but also in faraway places such as the Gallipoli
or Dardanelles campaign in Turkey, which took place between April 1915 and January 1916. In this nine-month campaign, a total of 261,554 men were wounded and
130,784 lives were lost on both sides, including the man who Gladys would have
known as her father-in-law if he had survived WWI. He had a military funeral and
the Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel newspaper of February 26th 1916 included an
obituary for him (extract below, ©The Sentinel Newspaper) in their section
honouring the ―Men Who Have Answered the Call of Their King and Country‖:
Sergeant Richard Simms, Adderley Green.
Sergeant Richard Simms died at the North Staffordshire Infirmary on February 7th
from complications arising from wounds received in the Dardanelles in August 1915. At the age
of 14 years, the late sergeant joined the Royal Fusiliers as a bugler and saw service in Malta,
Gibraltar, Cairo, India and through the South-African War. Early in 1915 he joined the 7th North
Staffordshire regiment and proceeded with his battalion to the Dardanelles, where he received
the wounds which caused his death.
The deceased was well-known locally as a playing member of the Longton Cricket
Club...Previous to re-enlistment, Sergeant Simms was in the employ of Messers. Stirrup & Pye,
Adderley Green Collieries. He leaves a widow and three children. The funeral took place at
Caverswall Churchyard on February 10th, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The
Vicar (the Rev. F. Barton Horspool) officiated….The hymn at the church was ―Fight the Good
Fight‖, while at the graveside was sung ―On the Resurrection Morning‖. A detachment from the
7th North Staffordshire regiment who had served with the late sergeant in the Dardanelles acted
as bearers. At the conclusion of the service the ―Last Post‖ was sounded by a member of the St.
Mary and St. Chad Company Boy Scouts.
―They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them nor the
years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember
them”.
WRITER’S CORNER
There were many positive comments about December‘s stories and poems, so
once again, many thanks to all of you have submitted your own writings or
suggested favourite poems or prose for inclusion. Please continue to bring in
your suggestions as we have twelve issues of New Park News to fill in 2012!
This month, we include a contribution with a difference by our regular writer,
David Law and another superb poem from Carol Alvis. We also have a piece
from resident Marjorie Baggaley. But to begin, we have a poem for the New
Year written by the English poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809—1892). It seems
to me to sum up everyone‘s hopes for happiness and peace in 2012.
Ring Out, Wild Bells
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor
Ring in redress to all mankind.
―New Park News‖ is published monthly by New Park House Care Home, Chivelstone Grove,
Trentham, Staffs. ST4 8HN
Tel: 01782– 657664
email: [email protected]
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
************
―New Park News‖ is published monthly by New Park House Care Home, Chivelstone Grove,
Trentham, Staffs. ST4 8HN
Tel: 01782– 657664
email: [email protected]
As promised, here‘s something different from David Law; his short stories have
proved very popular, but this month he has written a poem about the New
Year—and after!
The Trouble With New Years
by David Law
The bells have stopped their ringing, the fireworks are all done,
The old year has departed and we start another one.
We make our resolutions, they‘re kept—at most– two days,
But with the best of good intentions, we slip into old ways.
We will do this, we will do that and some things we just won‘t
We try to put our lives to rights, but – of course — we don‘t.
The days are growing longer and winter‘s lost its sting,
It‘s time to turn the heating down, thank God at last it‘s spring.
The garden calls, with shrubs to prune and seeds in need of sowing,
With paths to sweep and bulbs to plant and now the lawn needs mowing.
With luck and our attention, such irksome tasks are done,
Summer shores are beckoning; it‘s time to have some fun.
Cornwall‘s nice and so is Kent—it‘s bound to be a scorcher—
But to be sure, we‘ll leave this land and fly off to Majorca.
Maybe there‘s a wedding planned to bring the family joy.
Or perhaps mum‘s expecting a bouncing girl or boy.
If unexpected problems come, we‘ll take them in our stride,
We‘ll see our kids take exams and pass them all with pride.
But don‘t get too complacent, for time is marching fast,
The nights grow slowly cooler and summer days are past.
It‘s time to clean the garden chairs and put them all away
And watch the leaves turn gold, then brown, as autumn has its way.
Now for Christmas shopping, a chore that no one likes,
Buying socks for father and expensive children‘s bikes.
But when it‘s done, we‘ll eat a meal that more than fills our belly,
Then fall asleep with drink in hand while the Queen is on the telly.
And now before we know it, the year is almost done,
It‘s time to plan a party to ‗see in‘ another one.
To sing and dance with strangers and drink the cup that cheers,
But now we‘re twelve months older That‘s the trouble with New Years.
*********
We continue this month‘s Writer‘s Corner with a poem about poems—and the
importance of creative writing—from Carol Alvis, daughter of resident Rose
Jones. So, please take a hint from Carol, and keep you contributions to
Writer‘s Corner flowing in, whether it‘s next month or in the months to come.
Remember, each of us has a story to tell…
A Poem is a Part of You
by Carol Alvis
Share your thoughts
And share your dreams
Paint a living picture
Of what life means
Favourite times
Or favourite places
Bringing a smile
To dismal faces
Treasured moments
Of times long past
Put pen to paper
To see them last.
*********
Our resident writer, Marjorie Baggaley, spent some time in hospital over Christmas, but we are delighted to say that she made it back home to New Park in time
for the New Year. A month or two ago, Marjorie gave me a piece of her writing and
a prayer that she particularly likes. Whilst her writing expresses her personal situation, the prayer is perhaps a reminder to us all of how we should be grateful for
each day of this latest New Year.
The Reason I Don’t Hold my Head Up Anymore
by Marjorie Baggaley
For Sue, Shirley and Joan; thank you for all the help you have given me since I
was last rushed into hospital. And thank you for all the prayers.
The reason I don‘t hold my head up anymore is because I‘m lacking in a
chemical called dopamine in the brain; medication puts it back. But just because
I‘m looking down, people think I‘m asleep all the time.
Since I‘ve had the imbalance in my brain I‘ve lost 70% of my brain cells;
don‘t know what triggers it off. But I‘ve gained another gift since having this—I
write poetry and stories. I feel though that people think there‘s something
missing. People are ignorant; they think I can‘t speak for myself, so they ask other
people what‘s wrong with me, instead of asking me themselves. My energy levels
are very low, so everything is a struggle. Plus I have dystonia, where my muscles
don‘t work right.
So this is me at the moment.
Marjorie’s Prayer
Look up. Look up.
See the blueness of the sky and the whiteness of the clouds.
We drive and walk watching the ground at our feet
Look up. Look up.
See the trees and flowers along our way
See the birds perching on rooftops, flying looking down,
Look up. Look up.
See the heavens in all their glory
God gave us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to fill with love.
Look up. Look up.
Praise the Lord for all you can see, hear and feel.
Creation is awesome
God‘s love is awesome
Rejoice in the wonder and feel the love.
Look up. Look up.
************
Staff news and views
Resident‘s Toiletries:
As not all residents are able to have toiletries brought in by their families and
the toiletries cupboard is not accessible to Care Staff, a new system of
ordering toiletries for residents is being tried out. In future, please fill in your
needs on the weekly ‘Toiletries Request Form‘ which will be in place on the
staff room notice board and toiletries will then be delivered to residents that
require them.
Many thanks.
Hairdressing Trolley:
Although we have a Hair Salon in-house for use by our visiting hairdressers,
there are residents who are unable to use this facility. So Lifestyle are now
putting together a mobile Hairdressing Trolley for use by staff when caring for
residents. This trolley contains curling tongs, a dryer, curlers, hairnets etc.
and will be available very soon. Please ask the Lifestyle team for further
details.
A Message from Matron:
I would like to say a big ‗Thank you‘ to all the staff who worked so hard to
make Christmas wonderful for all our residents. When I came into New Park
on Christmas morning to wish everyone a ‗Happy Christmas‘, I was delighted
at the fabulous atmosphere that I found; everyone was smiling and the
residents all looked lovely. The catering staff did a great job with the festive
food and the decorated tables in the dining rooms looked fantastic. In fact,
the decorations throughout New Park were beautiful—thank you Toni! And a
big thank you to our Santa this year, Fred Phillips, who did a great job; finally,
I would like to say a special ‗thank you‘ to resident Hilda Charlesworth‘s sonin-law, Danny, who acted as New Park‘s Santa for several years before
hanging up his robes in 2012. Many thanks to you all!
Matron.
REMINDERS FOR RELATIVES
CHRISTMAS CARDS:
Do you have used Christmas cards that you would like to find a use for,
rather than have them thrown away? Then please consider recycling them
to us at New Park, as we can always find a use for the pictures from used
cards for various Arts & Crafts activities. Please bring them in and leave with
the Reception office or give them to Pat Phillips.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS:
If you received any gifts that you cannot find a use for, then please consider
donating them to New Park. The Lifestyle team always has a use for such
items for raffles baskets, bingo prizes, tombola etc.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:
If you have decided that next Christmas you will buy a new tree or decorations, then please consider donating your old ones—in good condition—to
us. There is always a need for more decorations at New Park! Thank you.
2011 and New Year’s Eve Quiz Answers (Quiz on next page):
13) Champagne
23) a) French
b) German
c) Chinese
household good luck for the New Year.
12) Big Ben
after midnight; this is supposed to bring the
11) Midnight
person to cross (‘first foot‘) the threshold
10) Rupert Murdoch
22) Having a tall, dark-haired visitor be the first
9) The News of the World
21) resolutions
8) 29 days
20) Hogmanay
7) Every 4 years
19) Japan
6) A Leap Year has 366 days.
18) ―times gone by‖
5) 2012
17) Robert Burns
4) Princess Diana
16) Auld Lang Syne
3) Middleton
15) Sydney, Australia
2) Kate
14) eg. London, Manchester, Birmingham
1) Prince William
Resident Frances Shenton celebrating her
Ash Green Primary School Choir entertained us all with their wonderful
Christmas Carol concert (above).
Much fun was had at the residents‘ Christmas
parties (above and above right).
Ash Green School Choir (above).
An enthusiastic audience of residents, friends and families—including
resident Hetty Matthias and her daughter Christine Holmes (right) were
entertained by singer Johannah (above) and the local Rotary Club Choir
and Trentham Brass Band (above right).
birthday with family and staff (above).
2011 AND NEW YEAR’S EVE QUIZ
Here‘s a quiz to test your recollection of events in 2011 and your knowledge of New Year‘s
Eve traditions!
1) Which Royal Prince got married in April 2011?
2) What was the first name of his bride?
3) Was her maiden name a) Middlewich, b) Middleport or c) Middleton?
4) Prince Charles is that Royal Prince‘s father; who was his mother?
5) 2011 was not a Leap Year. When is the next Leap Year?
6) How many days are there in a Leap Year?
7) How often do we have a Leap Year?
8) How many days are there in February when it is a Leap Year?
9) What newspaper closed down in 2011 because of a phone-hacking scandal?
10) Who owned the above newspaper and ordered its closure?
11) At what time does the year turn from Old to New?
12) What large clock in London strikes and announces the New Year to us?
13) What fizzy drink do we often pop open a bottle of at New Year?
14) Can you name any British city that suffered riots in the summer of 2011?
15) What city in the world sees in the New Year first? Is it New York, Tokyo in
Japan, Sydney in Australia or London?
16) What song is traditionally sung on New Year‘s Eve?
17) What Scottish poet wrote the words for that song?
18) What do the words ‗Auld Lang Syne‘ mean in English?
19) Which country suffered from a huge earthquake and tsunami in March 2011?
20) What is New Year‘s Eve called in Scotland?
21) What do people make—and often break—at New Year?
22) What is the tradition of ‗First Footing‘ on New Year‘s Eve?
23) Can you guess what languages the following are for ‘Happy New Year‘?
a) ―Bonne Annee‖
b) Gutes Neues Jahr‖
c) ―Gung Hay Fat Choy‖
NEW PARK HOUSE ACTIVITIES for January 2012
All planned Activities are subject to change if required and outings depend upon the weather.
KEY: (P) Pat Phillips,
Sun
1
Mon
2
(T) Toni Dutton,
ML: Main Lounge
Tue
3:
New Year’s
Day Buffet
(M) Mary-Ann Cryer, (K) Kim Newman .
EXT: Extension
Wed
Thu
Fri
4am: Oneon-One
Activities
5 One-onOne
Activities
(P)
6 am: Oneon-one
Activities
12 One-onOne
Activities
13 am: One
-on-one
Activities
14 am: One
-on-One
Activities
pm: Arts &
Crafts:
EXT (P+E)
Pm: Music
& Movement
20 am: One
-on-One
activities
21
pm :Bingo:
ML:(P)
Games:EXT:
8
15 am: One
-on-one
activities
2.30pm to
4pm: TEA
DANCE: ML
22
9 am: Oneon-one
Activities
Pm:ML Winter Warmup; music
and fun
10 am: One
-on-one
Activities
Pm: EXT:
Winter
warm-up;
music+fun
11
16
17 am: One
-on-one
activities
18 am:
Games: ML:
(K)
pm:
OUTING +
Breathe
City
Church
19 am: Music &
Movement:
EXT + ML
(P)
25 BURNS’
NIGHT:
Music,
quizzes,
poems and
shorbread.
26 am: One
-on-one
activities
Pm: Games:
EXT: (T)
Pm: Group
activity
(K) Bingo:
ML: (T)
23 CHINESE
NEW YEAR
CELEBRATIONS:
crafts,
music &
fortune
24 One-onOne
Activities
(P)
29
30
2.30pm to
4pm: TEA
DANCE: ML
Pm: Bingo:
EXT (T)
31 am: One
-on-one
activities
Pm:Bingo:
(T). Arts
& Crafts:
EXT: (K)
Pm: Bingo:
ML: (T)
am: Bingo
EXT (P)
Pm: Bingo
ML (P)
pm:Bingo:
EXT: (T)
Pm: Group
activities
EXT+ML
(K+T)
Sat
7
Pm Twelfth
Night quiz
and talk
(P+M)
Pm: OUTING
(P+T+M+E)
27
Pm: One-on
-One
Activities
(E)
28
Pm: Group
activities
ML + EXT
(M)
Christmas Photographs
Christmas was a great success at New Park and all members of staff worked
hard to make the day memorable for our residents. The festivities of the day
began with a visit to every resident from Santa, who spent time chatting to the
residents, giving everyone a gift and posing for a photo with each person he
visited.
New Park now has quite a photographic record of Christmas 2011, so we would
like to make the photos available to family members—and raise some money for
the New Park Activities Fund at the same time! For your donation of £5 to the Activities Fund, you and your family will receive the following photo package:
1. A framed 5‖ x 7‖ photograph of your loved one meeting Santa
2. Two 4‖x 6‖ unframed copies of the above photo.
(additional 4‖x 6‖ unframed copies of photos are available for 50p each).
If you would like to have a look at the photograph of your family member before
placing your order, then please contact Pat Phillips, who will arrange this for you.
If you would like to place an order, then please fill in the form below or use a form
which can be found in the New Park News magazine stand in reception. Your order should then be available within a couple of days.
————————————————————————————————————
Christmas photo order
Resident’s name:___________________________________________
YOUR name & Phone:_______________________________________
Number of £5 photo packages ordered:__________
Additional copies at 50p each: _______________________
PERMISSION HAS BEEN SOUGHT FROM ALL RESIDENTS AND
STAFF TO ALLOW THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE PUBLISHED IN ‗NEW PARK NEWS‘
―New Park News‖ is published monthly by New Park House Care Home, Chivelstone Grove,
Trentham, Staffs. ST4 8HN
Tel: 01782– 657664
email: [email protected]