As I reflect upon my first year at the helm of our beloved branch, the first thing I must do is give my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful committee - 5 of whom are Parkys like me and 7 who are not. A special welcome to our latest recruits: - Hugh Sear (Assistant Chairman), Jenny Harding (Assistant Treasurer), Valerie Busby (Mrs Merton) and the return of Mary Varty. 

 

It is a well-known fact that one of my main objectives included in this role, is raising the General Public’s awareness of our Parkinson’s condition, which is woefully lacking. In the past year I’ve tried to do this in several ways including: Being interviewed on 2 community radio chat shows, appearing in a film for PUK to raise the awareness of a desperate shortage in the NHS of specialist Parkinson’s Nurses, attending several community wellbeing display events and giving PowerPoint talks to groups for either fundraising or awareness purposes (like local Rotary Clubs). 

 

Tell you what, all Parkys have different symptoms, but isn’t this condition frustrating?!? You’ll have heard of the tale of the Tortoise and the Hare....well I was once a Hare....I played squash and tennis regularly and was a proud member of the London Fire Brigade for 30+ years man and boy......Well now, I am a Tortoise!...Whenever my wife Su and I are getting ready to go out, if I’m upstairs, she’ll shout up “Are you ready yet Art “and I’ll say “yeah”...she takes this as a sign to give me another 10 minutes and then we can leave together! But Hey Ho, never mind...things could always be worse.

 

Look after your mind, body and soul by being mentally active, socially active and physically active, my thanks to Vicky (Tai Chi) and Caroline (Neurophysiotherapy). Above all, try to stay positive. In the words of The Buddha “Be glad for what you had, not sorry it’s gone.” I remain committed to build on our strategy “to improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s locally.” Thank you to everyone who helps us deliver this objective - without your support and sufficient funds, these events would not be possible.

 

As mentioned previously, we have begun the move from Bourne Hall to St John’s Church in Belmont. Our last Wednesday event at Bourne Hall will be 2nd April 25 (talk from Exeter University), so from 7th May 2025 going forwards, ALL our meetings on the first Wednesday of every month will be at St John’s. Please make a note of this in your diaries, thank you. 

 

St John’s address is:

 

Northdown Road, Sutton SM2 6DY

 

Friday speech and singing groups will remain at Bourne Hall for the moment. Please note that the speech and singing group is cancelled on World Parkinson’s Day on Friday 11th April due to other arrangements.

 

I will be hosting a stall at Westcroft Leisure Centre to celebrate WPD from 12.30pm, do come along and support. I hope you will be motivated by our magazine to join in and take advantage of what is on offer for you. Thank you to the members who completed the branch activities survey, it gave us useful feedback. To that end, some events have been removed this summer, with new ones added, including ten pin bowling and a trip to Hampton Court. Full details of all our events and exercise classes can be found later in this booklet. And save the date of 22nd October as we have 26 tickets for the matinee performance of Fawlty Towers – The Play at the New Wimbledon Theatre which will be offered on a first come, first served basis.  We need to let the theatre know the final numbers by 23rd June, please contact Helen on events@skeparkinsons.org.uk if you would like tickets.

 

Don’t forget our exercise classes too, with our continuing subsidy of 50% off the class cost up to £100 per person annually, we encourage you to give one a try.

 

Looking forward to many more happy memories in the future. 

 

Warmest wishes,

Arthur