5th March 2010

Hallo and welcome on this LOVELY SUNNY DAY (starting to type on the 1st of March) to our Newsletter. I am “sitting up in bed and taking notice” following an operation in St Richards Hospital Chichester. I had the most marvellous care and attention and cannot praise highly enough the Doctors, Nurses and Staff. Wonderful people. Just to cheer me on my way before I went in, I had the following emails.

A woman woke up after an operation and said “Doctor Doctor, I can't feel my legs.” “Of course you can't”, he replied, “I have amputated both your arms.”

A woman was in the recovery room after an operation and the Doctor came to see her. He said, “I have some good news and some bad news.” “Let me have the bad news first,” she replied. He said, “I am sorry but I have had to amputate your feet.” “Please let me have the good news.” she asked. The Doctor said, “The woman in the next bed wants to buy your slippers.”

I can assure you I have still got most of my bits and pieces.

Delighted to report that we have sold another of Sue Rolfe's paintings and she has put some new paintings on display for you to view. The 10% commission for the Community Centre is always welcome, so please come and have a look and you might find something for a Mother's Day or an Easter Present.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY – not being very mobile I have been reading every item in the Newspapers. Foreign nationals applying for citizenship, which confers the right to a British Passport, are required to sit a written test. The test questions have been revised and the art of queuing is now to be added in as part of the test. Foreigners applying to settle will have to learn about the British practice of forming a line for everything from buses to sandwiches and answer questions accordingly. A lot of tension is caused by immigrants not understanding that they must wait in line for services. Ministers say this is not their fault because in less wealthy countries the only way to access necessities is to push yourself forward. The Immigration Minister said, “the simple act of taking one's turn is one of the things that holds our country together.” I think many people could learn from the “Queue Etiquette” pamphlet that will be available.

EXCURSIONS FOR 2010

WE'LL MEET AGAIN” at the Kings Theatre, Southsea on Monday 24 th May for the matinee performance – a nostalgic celebration of wartime entertainment. I have booked seats in the front stalls and the total cost – coach door to door from the Community Centre is £17.00 per person. This coach is suitable for wheelchairs and will be able to accommodate 3 wheelchairs.

“42 nd STREET” at Chichester Festival Theatre on Monday evening 21 st June. I have booked 48 seats, really good seats in the Stalls, for this wonderful Musical. Coach door to door from Community Centre and the total cost is £24.50. Please book as soon as possible because I have to pay the total cost by the 2nd April.

 I have also booked the following excursions and full details will be on the notice board in Reception later on this week.

Tuesday July 6th Coach to Marlow followed by a cruise on the River Thames to Henley and then coach from there back to the Centre.

Monday September 6th Coach to Alresford for the morning, time for lunch and then an afternoon trip on the Watercress Line where we will be served with a Cream Tea.

Saturday 13th March at 2.00pm Table Top Sale (Including Fantastic Tombola Table, thanks to you).

Wednesday 31st March at 10.00pm Stewards Coffee Morning.

Great response to the “How Sweet are You” Quiz - Congratulations to the winner, drawn at random – Ann Louth. Collect your prize from Reception and thank you all for entering. A “Logical Quiz” for you this month and the closing date will be the 6 th of April.

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Easter to you all and hope to see you at the Table Top Sale or the Coffee Morning.

Best Wishes. Cathy Kennealy