Gwent NARPO

GWENT NARPO NEWS

June 2011

Here we are halfway through this year its officially summer and I am sitting in my home writing this newsletter wearing a thick jumper and the heating on, and hearing the depressing news that gas and electricity suppliers are likely to increase their charges yet again. I hope you will find this newsletter interesting and helpful and maybe the “and finally” will bring a smile to your face.  Regards Sue

NEW MEMBERS

I would like on your behalf to welcome the following new members to our Gwent NARPO branch and wish them a long and happy retirement.

Mr Dean Williams, Mr Raymond Peterson, Mr Jeffery Harris, Mr Dale Williams

DEATHS

It is with great sadness I have to inform you of the death of  branch  members Mr Kerry Rowlands, Mr Jim Spooner and Mr Jim Travers.

SOCIAL EVENTS

From our Social Sec’s Ken and Ann Baker

Broadmead Hotel Tenby

On the 23^rd and 24^th September 2011 we will be again visiting the Broadmead Hotel in Tenby for another enjoyable weekend break, this trip is also open to members family and friends.

The KORS (Ken’s Old Regulars) that attend know what a value for money this weekend is.

For anyone who has yet to try the Broadmead, please contact the Social Secretary for an itinerary.

The price  is £112.50 per person, I therefore require two cheques, one for £45 per person as a deposit and the other for £67.50 per person to cover the balance, both cheques made out to The Broadmead Hotel .I require the deposit cheque by the end of July and the balance cheque by the end of August.

Closing date for bookings is 9^th September 2011.

Hog Roast and Quiz Night

Once again your ever thoughtful committee are hosting a Quiz Night combined with a Hog Roast to be held as usual at the Ponthir Village Hall, on Friday 21^st October 2011. kick off 7.30pm. it is also open to member’s family and friends

The price is still £6, which is outstanding in these times of recession, so those who are regular attendees, (the KORS) know what an excellent night it is, if you have not yet attended you really are missing out.

Cheques to be made payable to Narpo (Gwent Branch) and sent to the Social Secretary.

It would be much appreciated if you can pay the social secretary before the night.

Closing date, Monday 14^th October.

Coffee Morning

On Monday 12^th September a coffee morning is being held at the Royal George Hotel Tintern, commencing at 10.30am, those wishing to stay for lunch must order on arrival.

These three events are not restricted to members only so bring your family and friends along, however those wishing to attend must inform the Social Secretary.

To attend any or all the above events please contact the Social Secretary Ken Baker 

e mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

      DIARIES

In the March newsletter I asked that any member who WANTED a NARPO diary for 2012 please contact me and let me know, if you do not contact me a diary will not be sent to you.

As I have to order them by the end of July closing date for ordering a diary through me will be 11^th July 2011. If you have already informed me thank you and I have added your name to the list.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION

Owing to circumstances beyond my control I am unable to instigate the distribution of this copy of the newsletter via email. However, I hope to have it up and running by the September issue.  If any member changes their email address and has indicated that they will receive the newsletter via email can you please contact me I can then update the Gwent branch email database.

SNIPPETS OF USEFUL INFORMATION

CENOTAPH PARADE AND SERVICE 2011 this year will be held on Sunday 13^th November It is a very long tiring day and this year NARPO have been allocated 36 tickets if you are interested in attending please contact me and I will give you further information.

Mature Times is a free monthly newspaper for our generation it is now available on line at http://www.maturetimes.co.uk/ It is also available in most libraries and by post for a subscription of £16 to cover postage and packing by calling 08700170666

From Age Cymru Can you help them campaign for better public toilets in Wales? As we grow older the issue o fpublic toilet accessibility becomes an issue.  As part of the Community Calculator Campaign Age Cymru has found that 54% of older people consider public toilet facilities in their local area to be unsatisfactory.

To help their campaign they would like to know more about the standard of public toilets in your area and how this affects you.

The sort of things they would like to know include:

• Are there public toilets in your area?
• Are they open at convenient times?
• Are they located in convenient places?
• Are they easily accessible?
• Are they clean and safe?
• If public toilets in your area are not good how does this impact on your day-to-day life?

You can tell them about the standard of public toilets in your area by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephoning 029 2043 1555

If you or an organisation you are involved with are looking for funding perhaps the following charitable trust can help.

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust has announced that its grant making programme is open for applications. Within the UK, the Trust makes grants to both organisations and individuals for activities that relate to: peace and conflict resolution; promoting racial justice; power and responsibility; and quaker concerns.  The Trust tends to fund work that is on a national level and there are no maximum grant limits although the Trust does stress that costings need to be realistic. 

Previously supported projects include:

·                            Asylum Aid, which assists people seeking refuge in the UK Asylum Aid, received a grant of £203,170 from the Trust to support a project that enables women fleeing serious human rights violations to gain protection in the UK.

·                            The University of Liverpool received a grant of £75,000 from the Trust to undertake an audit of local democracy in Burnley and Harrogate.

·                           
Please follow this link for full commissioning brief and guidance details:

http://www.jrct.org.uk/

An Issue that may affect us as we grow older;

The Welsh Government has marked the 6^th Annual World Elder Abuse Day by pledging that it will not rest on its laurels in the fight to eradicate mistreatment of vulnerable adults. Following Health Minister Lesley Griffiths' announced spot checks to ensure dignity in care, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas has also expressed a personal commitment to protecting older people. She said: "It is over 10 years since the Welsh Government published 'In Safe Hands'. At the time this guidance was a ground-breaking policy that looked at developing and implementing local arrangements for protecting vulnerable adults, many of whom were elderly."The publication by the Welsh Government in March of 'Sustainable Social Services in Wales: A Framework for Action' gave a very clear statement that it was a basic right for everyone to be free from exploitation, abuse and neglect regardless of age. It also set out the Welsh Government's intentions for the future which include establishing a National Safeguarding Board for Adults and Children.  

Thanks to John Guy for this information

Something that I suspect will cause problems for most of us;

Because of the decrease in the use of cheques the Payments Council set up in 2007 by the then UK Government have issued a warning that cheques will be withdrawn by 2018 providing that there is a practical alternative in place . The Payments Council is currently exploring alternatives and will carry out two reviews before 2018 in 2014 and 2016. Consultations are being held with older people, charities (charities receive 80% of their donations by cheques) and small businesses. The Welsh Senate for Older People of which this branch is an affiliated member has been informed that a final decision regarding cheque withdrawal has not been made and unless a workable alternative is available and to date no viable system has not been offered cheques will not be withdrawn.  HOWEVER watch this space!!!!!

I received this request via email;

I hope you can help with this enquiry - this approach was recommended by NARPO HQ.

I am a retired Detective Inspector from Hampshire Constabulary (my NARPO membership number is 116383).

Together with a colleague I have set up Advanced Policing Skills Ltd, an investigative training company. As well as delivering training to police, military and private industry in the UK and abroad, we are linked with Delma MSS in the supply of covert locator devices for fitting to vehicles, boats and many other assets.

The devices are designed by Delma and will be launched in the UK within the next four weeks to the general market. They are a by product of locator work conducted by Delma for the UN and government agencies.

We have negotiated a national, stolen property recovery contract, for items fitted with APS/Delma GSM locator devices. We have a team of 60 ex-police and ex-military associates working with us. They are based across the UK and in several other countries.

We need additional people in the Midlands, Wales and Eastern and Northern England.

Essentially, anyone interested would be deployed by us to locate / recover a stolen asset on behalf of the insurance company. They would attend an electronically identified location and liaise with the local police to recover the asset. They would not be employed full time, but would be deployed on an associate basis. There is no contractural obligation to respond to a call. There is obviously more information that I can give anyone interested.

People who are interested in finding out more about this opportunity can contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 DLA Abolishment;

I am sure that this will affect and worry a number of our members if you feel you can, please complete the requested survey.

The Government is planning to end DLA for disabled people 16-64 years of age. A new benefit called the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will replace some support for some people currently receiving DLA. But low rate care DLA payments will not be replicated in the PIP. The budget for PIP will be over £2 billion less than for DLA.

Disability Alliance does not believe the Government can demonstrate that it has considered all the issues involved fully in making these plans. We believe the impact on disabled people and their families’ equality of opportunity will be substantially undermined – including higher experience of ill-health, avoidable use of some public services, and higher rates of debt and poverty for example. We have asked DWP to address these concerns but have sadly not had responses to the issues raised.

We are now considering taking legal action against DWP to ensure our concerns are addressed before plans are progressed further. But we want our members to be aware of our potential decision. Based on the outline of our concerns.

Please tell us what you think by completing the very short survey online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/potentialdlalegalchallenge

Good news

NO MORE HANGING ON THE TELEPHONE FOR GP APPOINTMENTS

 The Welsh Government is committed to making GP services much more accessible by introducing the "My Health Online" system, which allows patients to book and cancel appointments and request repeat prescriptions, without having to telephone the surgery. Website users are also be able to get advice and information to help them manage health conditions.

  In addition to online booking systems, they want to see more appointments available during the evenings and on Saturdays so that working people are able to see their doctor at a time that is most convenient to them. This will help reduce pressure on other health services, such as Emergency Departments. 

 I am assuming that you will have to check with your own surgery to see if this system is available. I know that it will be implemented in the very near future at my Doctor’s surgery,  Sue

Grants to help older vegetarians and vegans in financial need

Vegetarian for Life administers two charitable funds, The Vegan Fund and The Vegetarian Fund, on behalf of The Vegetarian Housing Association, our sister organisation. The Funds were launched in 2010, and we were pleased to award the first grant in May 2010 - for a stair lift to enable a vegetarian lady to move out of care, back to her own home, to resume independent living. Since then we have awarded three further grants for assistance with relocation, a bath aid and vegetarian/vegan cookery courses for older people in Wales.

In 2009, VfL commissioned a survey of care homes, where we found that the percentage of vegetarians and vegans in care is quite small, at only 1.25% of residents, compared to 3% in the general population. This may well be because older vegetarians and vegans are more likely to be independently-minded and try to remain in their own homes for longer. They may also, of course, be healthier for longer. There comes a time, however, when some older people find it increasingly difficult to stay in their own homes, possibly due to health problems such as arthritis or general mobility problems. Financial assistance may be available, but can be difficult to access due to a great deal of demand. This is where the new funds hope to help. The main details are:
• To be eligible for a grant from either fund you must be:

• • aged 60 or over
  • in financial need (i.e. with a relatively small regular income and relatively low savings - we follow the limits used for eligibility for means-tested state benefits)
  • and - for a grant from The Vegan Fund -  a practising vegan
  • or - for a grant from The Vegetarian  Fund - a practising vegetarian
  •  

   Grants are awarded on a one-off basis. They are not suitable for ongoing expenditure. Grants are normally made to assist ‘independent living’, for example: to provide ramps, grab handles, minor kitchen/bathroom adaptations, stair lifts, or perhaps respite care (a short stay in a care home for a person being cared for at home, to provide a break for the carer).

• Applications for other uses will be considered – as long as the grant will benefit one or more older vegetarians or vegans.
• Individual grants are normally subject to an upper limit of £3,000, but this may vary if the grant would benefit more than one eligible person or, at the Trustees’ discretion, if there are other extenuating circumstances.
• Each application will be judged on its individual merit by the Trustees of Vegetarian Housing Association, whose decision is final.
• For further information and for application details please contact Tina Fox on 01683 220888 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Federation House Hotel at  Leatherhead are offering a summer deal running from 1^st June to 9^th September from Thursday to Sunday inclusive book two nights and get another night free. See the website http://www.federationhouse.co.uk/ for further details or phone 01372 352200

AND FINALLY

> On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just
> inside the cemetery fence.  One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts
> and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.
>
> 'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me,' said one boy.  Several
> dropped and rolled down toward the fence.
>
> Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle.  As he passed, he
> thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery.  He slowed down to
> investigate.  Sure enough, he heard, 'One for you, one for me, one for you,
> one for me...'
>
> He just knew what it was.  He jumped back on his bike and rode off.  Just
> around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.
>
> 'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard!  Satan and
> the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls!'
>
> The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.'  When
> the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.
>
> Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me.  One for you,
> one for me.'
>
> The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth.  Let's see if
> we can see the Lord...?
>
> Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to
> see anything.  The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the
> fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.
>
> At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me.  That's all.  Now let's go get
> those nuts by the fence and we'll be done...?
>
> They say the old man had the lead for a good half-mile before the kid on the
> bike passed him.

And definitely the final one you can thank Stella Coburn for this one!!!!

A rabbit walks into a pub and says to the barman... 'Can I have a pint of beer, and a Ham and Cheese Toastie?'
 The barman is amazed, but gives the rabbit a pint of beer and a ham and cheese toastie.
The rabbit drinks the beer and eats the toastie.  He then leaves.
The following night the rabbit returns and again asks for a pint of beer, and a Ham and Cheese Toastie. 
The barman, now intrigued by the rabbit and the extra drinkers in the pub, (because word gets round), gives the rabbit the pint and the Toastie. The rabbit consumes them and leaves.The next night, the pub is packed.
In walks the rabbit and says, 'A pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie, please barman.' 
 The crowd is hushed as the barman gives the rabbit his pint and toastie, and then burst into applause as the rabbit wolfs them down
The next night there is standing room only in the pub.
Coaches have been laid on for the crowds of patrons attending.
The barman is making more money in one week than he did all last year
In walks the rabbit and says, 'A pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie, please barman, 
The barman says, 'I'm sorry rabbit, old mate, old mucker, but we are right out of them Ham and Cheese Toasties...'
The rabbit looks aghast.
The crowd has quietened to almost a whisper, when the barman clears his throat nervously and says, 'We do have a very nice Cheese and Onion Toastie.'
The rabbit looks him in the eye and says, 'Are you sure I will like it.'
The masses' bated breath is ear shatteringly silent.
The barman, with a roguish smile says, 'Do you think that I would let down one of my best friends. I know you'll love it.'
'Ok', says the rabbit, 'I'll have a pint of beer and a Cheese and Onion Toastie.'
The pub erupts with glee as the rabbit quaffs the beer and guzzles the toastie.
He then waves to the crowd and leaves....
NEVER TO RETURN! 
One year later, in the now impoverished public house, the barman, (who has only served 4 drinks tonight, 3 of which were his), calls time.
When he is cleaning down the now empty bar, he sees a small white form, floating above the bar. 
The barman says, 'Who are you?',
To which he is answered,
'I am the ghost of the rabbit that used to frequent your public house.'
The barman says, 'I remember you. You made me famous’.
You would come in every night and have a pint of beer and a Ham and Cheese Toastie.  Masses came to see you and this place was famous.'
The rabbit says, 'Yes I know.'
The barman said, 'I remember, on your last night we didn't have any Ham and Cheese Toasties. You had a Cheese and Onion one instead.'
The rabbit said, 'Yes, you promised me that I would love it.
The barman said, 'You never came back, what happened?'
'I DIED', said the rabbit. 
'NO!' said the barman. 'What from?'

After a short pause, the rabbit said...

mixin-me-toasties.’