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Living Tree News 33: April 2021

by | 29 Mar, 2021 | News

Living Tree News 33
APRIL 2021
Dear Living Tree members and friends,

A Happy Easter to you and a warm welcome to our April Newsletter!

Spring is very much here and we’re delighted to share an extended photo feature this month from our official allotment launch with Charlie McCormick.

Next month Your Photos will be back – please continue to send us your photos for the May newsletter, so we can enjoy the views from your gardens and local walks as the seasons unfold.
NOTICE of THE LIVING TREE AGM 2021

The Living Tree Trustees are inviting you to our first Annual General Meeting since becoming a Registered Charity which will be held on Friday 23rd April at 2pm.

Unfortunately we do not think we shall be ready to return to the Friends Meeting House by that date so we have decided to hold the meeting remotely using Zoom.  We fully appreciate that those of you without internet access might be unable to join us for this meeting so we intend to hold a general meeting later in the year when we are able to meet face to face again to give everyone the chance to catch up with each other and raise any issues which they may have at that time.

Everyone on our newsletter mailing list will soon receive an invitation to attend the AGM which will include notice of the agenda, a copy of the annual accounts, the list of people seeking election or re-election and the name of our speaker for the afternoon. You will be sent a Zoom link nearer the time of the AGM.

We invite everyone who supports or benefits from the Living Tree to this meeting but we politely remind you that only those who are on our Register of Members will be able to vote on the motions proposed. If you haven’t already applied to join this Register you can apply at any time but if you would like to be able to vote at this AGM, please don’t delay and either refer to the invitation email sent to you on 23/2/21, email us at   thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com  or phone our mobile  07341 916976  for a paper copy and we shall send you the application form.

We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us for this milestone on the 23rd April and look forward very much to seeing you then.

The Living Tree Trustees. 
ZOOM DROP-IN SESSIONS
Please email us at thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com to let us know if you would like to join any of the Living Tree Zoom Drop-In sessions this month, and we will email you the link and password to enable you to participate. We will only send you the link if you request it.Here are the details of our Living Tree meetings this month.

Zoom Meetings

Friday 9th April 2-4pm

Art with Libby

Libby Jukes will be leading another art session. She asks that you bring with you to the meeting some spring flowers, watercolour paper, watercolour paints and a drawing pencil. Even if you would prefer not to take part in the art work, you are most welcome to attend and take the opportunity to chat and catch up with everyone.

Friday 23rd April 2-4pm

Living Tree AGM

The Living Tree AGM, our first as a registered charity. Please see the information in the box above.
ON THE WEB
Have you visited our website?
You’ll find latest news, featured posts, the Library booklist and more.
www.thelivingtree.org.uk
FACEBOOK

Sherry is posting daily on The Living Tree Facebook page, with useful information and uplifting responses to the current situation.

Our Allotment

The official opening of the Living Tree allotment last Friday was all about spreading the word. To that end we invited a few local press & a photographer along to capture the event with celebrated local gardener and supporter Charlie McCormick. I would like to extend my thanks to the allotment team for making this possible!

You will see how much has already been achieved from the gallery of photos below. David’s mosaic welcomes you to the allotment when you arrive. A range of growing beds at different heights have been established and are being planted. We have been granted the most picturesque spot on the river bank which we are making the most of with attractive natural seating areas. After cutting the ribbon to our handsome little shed, Charlie planted out the first row of our broad beans for us.

Please feel free to come and see what we are doing opposite St Catherine’s School. There will be a “drop in and sow seeds session” every Wednesday morning between 10am and 12 noon. Continued thanks to everyone who has been a part of this fun journey.

Alison Boyland
with photographs by Liz Baker
and poem by Roz Copson
Allotments are the fashion
and now it is our passion
the ground has been dug
and then turned over
manure raked on top
the worms are in clover
raised beds are ready
for you to do your bit
the tree stumps to be sawed
and then you can sit
have a cup of tea
with our camping gaz kettle
relax in the sunshine
(but do mind that nettle)
the rocket and chives
the beans and the peas
fruit bush and apple trees
enough to make cream teas.
The shed stands proud
with mosaic and bird box
outdoor seating, lots of tools
even hooks to hang your socks
cushions for a comfy bottom
a rippling river by our plot
the living tree allotment
has definitely got the lot.
So do have a look
and see what you can do
try a fork or a trowel
or simply enjoy the view
perhaps a bit of planting
or try our brand new rake
– then another cup of tea
with a piece of home made cake.
There will always be a welcome
and lots of time to spend
we’re all friends together
from beginning to end
fresh air to enjoy
come rain or shine
a place to call our own
– yes, yours and mine.Our Pymore patch of ground
where togetherness will be found.

By Roz Copson

Your Photos

Beautiful landscapes and the changing seasons will be back next month! Send your photos to the Editor by Monday 24th May in time for next month’s newsletter.

A Book of Words
A BOOK OF WORDS
This beautiful collection of writing and artwork (excerpt above) produced by members of The Living Tree is now over 50% off. It is available to buy for just £5 at Good Books on Gundry Lane, The Book Shop on South Street, and also the Tourist Information Centre in Bridport. Also available at Serendipity Book Shop, Lyme Regis and Archway Book Shop, Axminster. All proceeds go to the Living Tree.

Spring Collages

We enjoyed another successful zoom session with Chris Edwards on Friday 19th March, experimenting with colour and collage with Spring as the topic. We chatted whilst we created and had a very sociable afternoon.

Chris Edwards

Mindfulness

Friday 16th April 2pm

Friday 30th April 2pm

Mindfulness sessions will run on Zoom.
Please email thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com for the Zoom links. A message about loving kindness and self-compassion – from our regular mindfulness teacher Sue Howse – is included in full at the end of this newsletter.

What’s On

Are you a carer of someone who has mental health issues?

Join us for our new confidential monthly support group that aims to focus on you and your own emotional wellbeing in comfortable and safe surroundings.Date: Friday 16th April and thereafter every third Tuesday of the month.
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

Venue: The Assembly Rooms, Gundry Lane, Bridport, DT6 3RL
For more information contact: harmonyinfo@harmonydropin.org.uk or telephone Caroline on 07918 486126. Website: harmonydropin.org.uk
TRIPUDIO
www.tripudiomovement.co.uk
Friday meetings always start with Tripudio, a daily 15 minute lymphatic and cardiovascular exercise regime which can be done in your home, patio or the smallest garden. Karen Forrester-Jones is also offering online 30 minute Tripudio Flow sessions via Zoom. If Living Tree members are interested contact Karen at forresterjones.k@gmail.com for timings and links to the sessions.
STEPPING OUT
www.steppingoutbridport.co.uk
It has been great to see so many of you at Stepping Out classes. Richard and Jo are running classes on Zoom on Monday and Friday mornings for Stepping Out participants.  Please contact Jo on j.perfect@bridportleisure.com if you usually attend Stepping Out and haven’t already received the information about joining the classes.

Stepping Out has been the lucky choice of Bridport Co-op as one of their Community Fund recipients. Read more on the Co-op fund raising page for Stepping Out and find out how much money has already been raised: https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/43838

We realise there are many worthy causes to donate to, however if you shop in the Co-op but don’t have a Co-op card, please do consider applying for one and nominating Stepping Out as your choice.

New digital support group for bowel cancer patients

Chat Together is a free online support group for people living with and beyond bowel cancer.  It’s a welcoming place to talk to other with bowel cancer and to meet new people.  It’s a chance to share experiences in a safe, supportive and informal environment.

Chat Together is a chance for you to virtually get together and support each other from the comfort of your own homes at this time of isolation.  You just need a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection and somewhere quiet to sit.

Click to get more information – Chat Together

In these long days of lock down Macmillan would like to remind you of the support they can provide to anyone affected by cancer, please share with your contacts and groups:

 
BUDDIES & FACE TO FACE MEET-UPS
The trustees would like to extend the Telephone Support Service to include one to one, face to face contacts for anyone who feels they would like some company occasionally, especially those who may just be coming out of isolation/quarantine or who may be new to LT. These ‘meet ups’ would be socially distanced and outside for now to make them as safe as possible. If you would like to volunteer to be such a contact or would like to meet up with somebody from Living Tree, please email Rosemary with your phone number at thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com or phone and leave a message on 07341 916976 with your name and phone number and we will get back to you.
DORSET DIGITAL HOTLINE
A new advice line has been established because we are all relying much more on online technology to keep in touch (like ZOOM).  It is available to provide support for people with IT and digital problems of all kinds. Some of their most popular topics are how to set up video to stay in contact with friends and family and how to get online for beginners.  Telephone 01305 221000 (option 2).NATIONAL, REGIONAL and LOCAL RESOURCES
The most up to date national information on COVID-19 is: GOV.uk/coronavirus  and for health information NHS.uk/coronavirus.
LIVING TREE LIBRARY

I have a selection of books from the Living Tree Library that are available to loan to members.

They cover topics such as nutrition, cookery, complementary therapies and cancer specific books. Click here to view the latest list:
https://www.thelivingtree.org.uk/library/

If you would like to borrow any Living Tree books, please contact me, Rose Thorpe, on thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com

and I will get back to you with some suggestions and details of how to borrow them.
THE LIVING TREE THERAPIST PARTNERSHIP
The three therapists in Partnership with The Living Tree listed below are able to offer their services by telephone, email or Zoom:

If you feel you would like to use these therapists during this period via the Therapist Partnership please leave a message for Rita on the Living Tree phone 07341 916976 or email: lttherapistpartnership@gmail.com.  If you would prefer to see these therapists privately and are able to self-fund your therapy then please contact them directly using the contact details above.
PATHWAYS TO CARE
Hopeful Hampers & Good Neighbours Transport. Good Neighbours are offering transport for LT members to Dorset County Hospital for essential appointments. Phone and leave a message on the Good Books answerphone 01308 420483 and someone will call you back.
SINGING
With Jane Silver-Corren. Jane holds a session each Friday on Zoom at 5.00pm. The sessions last one hour and are fun and light-hearted. Donations welcome. If you are interested please email: janesilvercorren@gmail.com and she will send you the Zoom link.
MACMILLAN and PENNY BROHN UK RESOURCES
If you have concerns about medical issues concerning your cancer or treatment Macmillan has a number of useful resources and virtual support https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus.  Please note that any urgent issues should still be referred to your Clinical Nurse Specialist.The Penny Brohn UK Centre www.pennybrohn.org.uk provides online resources, including a series of free online classes from international leaders in health, wellbeing, psychology and lifestyle.  They are also running a Helpline 0303 300 0118 and some 1:1 services.  Contact bookings@pennybrohn.org.uk.
OTHER EVENTS AND LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS
  • AXMINSTER AND LYME CANCER SUPPORT have a beach hut at Lyme.
  • C’SIDERS WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND CANCER GROUP.
  • BUTTERFLIES CANCER SUPPORT, Dorchester.
  • STALBRIDGE CANCER & RECOVERY SUPPORT.
Please contact these groups directly to find out about other kinds of support available.

CHARITY AUCTION & RAFFLE

18th July 2021

As with the vast majority of charities or charitable organisations, the Weldmar Hospice has gone through a huge increase in demand. More people need the care they provide, in the hospice itself, in the home and in the community. There are more complex needs, an increase in overnight care, bereavement care, and of course any fundraising events that had been organised, were unable to take place physically. The hospice’s charity shops were shut for most of the year and into 2021, therefore little money came from that source.

The Weldmar can only continue to function, providing a vital service across our county because of the support and goodwill they get from the local community. Please dig deep to support this fundraising event.
Donations to Roz (01308 422650) or Nigel (01308 281203).

‘BARKING MAD’ FUNDRAISER

At the Arts Centre, in aid of Harmony and the Bridport Food Bank. Tickets will be available from the TIC and the music shop. Date to be confirmed.
Thank you from Roz Copson
FACE MASKS

Chris Edwards would like to thank everyone for their continued support, buying her masks. She has now raised £270 for The Weldmar and is still making.  Below are a few of the more recent fabrics, but other fabrics  are still available too, plus plain colours. For those who may not be aware masks cost £5 with £1 from each being donated. They come in S/M, L and now XL. If you would like to see more or place an order feel free to email Chris: chris.edwalt@gmail.com

Mindfulness
Dear All

Mindfulness has, at times, been called a ‘wise gate-keeper’, protecting our minds,

as to what serves us and not feeding what doesn’t serve us.

Our interest in mindfulness often comes to us in a time of crisis.

We can’t control the waves of life: it’s part of being human.  But we can, through

our practice, learnt  to ride the waves more skilfully.

How do we react to stress – the minor irritants or the greater difficulties?

What do we do? (maybe ask someone who knows you !!!)

Our habitual patterns often include:

Get busy.  – don’t have to think about it

Ostrich behaviour: – hope problem goes away e.g. the TV/’phone spacing out.

Worry – think. Try to work it out. Analyse.

Irritable/anger – Blame someone else.

These are all understandable – we want it to be different, but this can make us even

more stressed

It’s like the story of the two arrows.

The first arrow is the situation  e.g.back  pain, family, money or health problems.

The second arrow is  the layer of suffering we put onto  it: e.g. resisting, pushing

away, denying our vulnerability.

I  like the metaphor for protective mindfulness,  of an anchor. In different situations, boats need different anchors.

Anchors keep us safe, they ground us, in mild discomfort bringing our attention to the breath  can help  stabilise us.

In more stressful stormy seas, bringing our  attention to our feet ,or buttocks  on the seat . Or our  hands and fingers, just bringing attention to them.

Standing as an  armed warrior ,with fierce compassion.for yourself .

Knowing with a kind awareness what we can turn towards  or what we may need to turn away from in that moment.

Then, asking yourself ‘In  the midst of this what do I need??  ‘Can I befriend myself

with kindness?

Take refuge in compassion.

Nurturing and cultivating this compassionate practice as we would a small plant emerging in the Spring sunshine .

Do contact me if you want to discuss anything further .

With much love and kindness to you all .

Sue

Our Monday Mindfulness & Self-Compassion evenings are open to you all from 7.30 – 8.30 p.m.  

A voluntary payment of £3/session is appreciated, but not essential.  

Please let me know if you wish to join the group and I will send you more information and the Zoom link.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HOUSE:
Saving St Mary’s Church House Hall, Bridport

The hall was closed on 23rd March and was shut for a total of 235 days in 2020. At this stage, 2021 is not looking too good.

Finances of the hall have suffered badly and I wanted to let you know that the Hall Trust (C.I.O.) and Committee has started a crowdfunding project with the aim of raising £10,000 to secure the hall’s future.

Please consider if you could donate to help us, using the link below to access the project page. Any contribution large or small will be hugely appreciated and can be Gift Aided if you are a tax payer. We would also be grateful if you are able to share the link widely:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/saving-st-marys-church-house-hall

Thank you.

Monty Crook, Chairman, St Mary’s Church House Hall Management Committee
CONTACT US 
Tel 07341 916976. Contact thelivingtreedorset@gmail.com with any mailing list enquires/changes of address, ideas for events or items you would like to include in the next newsletter or on the website.  Our newsletter is sent out at the end of each month. The deadline for submissions is one full week before the end of the month.