VOLUNTEERS HONOURED

We were delighted to hear that 3 of our volunteers, Peter Burgess, John Mackley and Jim Reed, were very deservedly nominated for a Melton Times 'New Years Honour's' award for their work at Dove Cottage. Well done to all of them. Volunteers really are our ' backbone and we couldn't provide all of our services without them. If we could, we'd give them all an award for their hard work and dedication to us. They're terrific !!

QUIZ NIGHT RAISES £800

Over 100 people came along to our quiz night on Ist " February and what a great night we had. Our quizmaster, Dr Phil Rathbone, once again did us proud and got our grey cells ticking! Elizabeth Evans, one of our amazing volunteers, provided us with a wonderful supper of Coronation Chicken which we ate whilst being entertained by Persiflage, a brilliant saxophone quartet. The winning team were lucky enough to win a prize of Sunday Lunch for 6, kindly supplied by The Windmill, Redmile.

DIARY DATE Eleventh Annual Summer Fete Sunday May 18th 1.30pm - 4.30 pm

CHRIS'S CORNER

May I rather belatedly wish you and your family everything you wish for yourselves during 2008. Another year already. Where did 2007 go? At the beginning of each year, I always try and think what I would like to achieve over the next 12 months or so. In Dove Cottage terms, that never seems to be just minor goals. Last year it was our latest extension and this year, not one but two projects. Our ageing mini-bus is in rather desperate need of replacement. We have had it for nearly 8 years now. The money to purchase it was very kindly donated by The Rotary Clubs of the Vale of Belvoir and Bingham & District and the Bingham & District Round Table. It has served us well over the years but nowadays is looking rather rusty and sad and is also too small for our needs. We've therefore decided to try and raise the money to replace it with a bigger version which will really help us when we go on outings which all of our guests enjoy. We are looking at models that cost between £15-20,000. We just need to find the money now!

Secondly, we have recently been given the use of a cottage by the canal side a few hundred yards away from Dove Cottage and have just received 'planning permission to use if for a tearoom/charity shop to support the work of Dove Cottage. We're all really excited about this venture although obviously there will be a lot of work involved before we can open. Our plan is to make it a really family friendly venue, where people out enjoying the countryside can come and have a nice snack. We'd like to support the local economy by using local produce and perhaps have an outlet for selling plants as well as other items that have been donated to us. We intend incorporating a picnic and children's play area into the scheme; hopefully, all in all, something for everyone. Obviously we need to furnish and equip the building. If you have any items that may be of use to us, I'd be delighted to hear from you. We'll need tables chairs, kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery, carpets, curtains. The list really is endless. We could also do with some landscaping ideas for outside. We want to make it look as attractive as possible but obviously keep it as low maintenance as we can. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this project. Do you think it's a good idea? Can you help in any way? Would you come and use it? What sort of snacks would you buy? We're thinking along the lines of soups/baked potatoes/toasted sandwiches/cakes/ice creams etc. Have we got it right? You can e-mail me at chris@dovecottaqe.org or ring on 01949860303.

May I just take this opportunity to once again thank you for all the support you offer us, So many people, both guests and their families, benefit from coming to Dove Cottage. Sometimes we don't realize the difference charities make to peoples lives. I was very moved to read the article in this newsletter written by Pat Slater, one of our guests. So, yes, sometimes it is hard work constantly thinking of new ways of raising money to keep things going but it really is worth it when you see how it all helps so many people.

Chris

Chris Gaffield, Registered Manager

HAPPY TIMES AT DOVE COTTAGE

1 would like to share my time at Dove Cottage with you all. I first started going to Dove, very reluctantly, nine years ago. When I was originally asked if I would like to go to a hospice I, like many others, was horrified at the thought of going to a place where there would be lots of people with terminal illnesses. I thought this would be such a sad place to be. Big mistake. It was nothing like I had imagined. I walked in and the place was fuil of joy and laughter. I have never looked back since. Yes, there have been some very sad times and I have lost many good friends, but I treasure the time I shared with them, I have been looking back at the many amusing and fun times I have had and would love to share a few with you, so here goes.

The first thing I recall is the time when Kim one of the past guests was on a sponsored silence. She was a very big character at Dove and loved to talk. She was trying so hard not to speak to anyone, even though we were all chatting to her in the hope that she would crack, how bad was that! I think she slipped up a couple of times but we let her off. She was overjoyed that she had managed it at the end of the day and raised a lot of money for Dove; we couldn't shut her up for ages after that. What a brave lady she was to take on that challenge with the rest of us wicked lot around!

1 think the next thing that will never fade in my memories is the fantastic trip we had to Skegness. It all happened so quickly, one minute we were sitting in the garden at Dove talking about the new mini bus we had just received, the next we were telling Chris about the first trip we wanted in it. It was decided between us, (although some would say it was all my idea which it probably was) that we would like to have a weekend away in Skegness. In no time at all it was all arranged and we were on our way. Five guests, Glenys, one of the nurses, who I think,thought it was in her job description to take us away (or at least we may have led her to believe that) and four other helpers came along. What a great time we had, Kim, Eddie, Flo, Jean and I. The first night we thought we would like to go to the pub, I admit that I may have had a few too many but that was only because the other's thought it was easier to buy me doubles than keep going back to the bar which maybe it was. Anyway we got back to the B and B and had one or two more. Glenys was quite concerned about this and didn't get much sleep, bless her. She said she was trying to figure out what she may have to tell the coroner because of all the drink I had and the medication. We were all fine the next morning and headed off to the beach for the day. You should have seen the looks when Kim decided to walk for a while. Glenys got into Kim's chair to ride it back to the B and B and just got out and walked in when she got there. It was like a scene from Little Britain - so funny. We had such fun there; the image of Eddie running in the room in a thong that Flo had brought for him will stay with me forever. Flo, who had never been away before had the best time and really enjoyed having a snake put around her neck (she must have been mad). Most of the guests who went are no longer with us but it was the most amazing time. They taught me such a lot about how to stay strong no matter what life throws at you. What brave people they all were.

Another occasion I recall is when I had been going on at Chris, yet again, about a swimming pool saying how good it would be to have one in the summer. The next time I went to Dove, there it was! A paddling pool in the garden! Not quite what I had in mind but even so we all had fun sitting around with our feet in it. What a sight we must have looked, most of us sitting in wheelchairs, feet in paddling pool with silly sun hats on, but we didn't.

I remember also we had an underwear sale, Eddie, Mike and Icould not contain ourselves when we saw the older ladies trying to figure out what the thongs were, turning them every way, looking confused. How they laughed when someone explained what they were.

These are just a few of my memories of Dove. There are so many more. As I said there have been some sad times, but the happy times out way the sad by far. I can't believe how much my life has changed since I first started to go to Dove Cottage. I have been humbled and inspired by the many people I have met. The staff and volunteers are truly amazing. Nothing is too much trouble and they all care so very much. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their part in my life, for all their comfort when I have been down, for being so very understanding and for all the fun times. There is a special place in my heart for them all.

The last word must go to the person who made all of this possible, Chris Gatfield, for having the vision and seeing it through for the good of us all. I have the utmost respect for her. She is a real life angel. She gives her time, energy and most of all love so freely to us all. What a lady, she is awesome!

Forever grateful