Emma (project worker), Maureen, Michele, Ian (project worker) and Tina all enjoyed a pampering afternoon on Sunday 13th September having hand and face massages from Maureen, nails filed and pained by Tina and some wonderful hennah tattoos from Emma. There are plans to repeat this monthly as it was enjoyed so much by the participants. Also, as added touches, hair trimming and styling is also to be offered.

- Tina

It was packed out as it was a bank holiday weekend and was a lovely warm day. One thing of particular interest was a Brough Superior motorbike that was owned by Lawrence of Arabia. Also, a very old and large Jaguar possibly from the 30's. After a walk  by the stream we had a cuppa and a teacake.

Although the weather was a bit questionable - and I wondered if we would end up going, we did and the weather was not too bad. It was nice to get out of Oxford where there were varied stalls and I bought myself some Afro Caribbean food which I enjoyed.

I enjoyed the Abba tribute band and enjoyed dancing to the music, it took me back to my adolescent days and the 70's. I also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Emma (our new staff member)- who seems really friendly.

Michelle

6 members myself and volunteer John P went on a day trip to London to visit the museum. Having set off at half 9 the bus to London was quick enough, though a little time at Victoria station was wasted by people needing a loo-neglecting the one on the bus or the nearby pub at the station and having to go in the station itself (and pay 30p!). Anyrate, we all arrived safely and split into 2 groups of 4 to look around, after having a group photo outside the front of the museum under the 2 large 16” battleship gun barrels.

All in all, the weather was kind and a good day was had by all. Member D particularly liked the Spitfire which was hanging from the ceiling, which he was told had shot down 5 German aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Admiration was also proffered for the bullet-riddled bronze eagle, which the Russians had captured and given to Britain. Member A felt he had experienced what it must have been like in WW1 in their recreation of a trench, complete with bomb noise and flashing lights, and had never seen a Russian T-34 tank before. Member R commented on the sail-equipped dinghy which was used to ferry soldiers to other vessels during the Dunkirk evacuation while Member M seemed to really appreciate the section on how war affected children. My personal favourite was the section about the “secret war”, which related how a German ship was found and sunk off the Norwegian coast thanks to the cracking of the Enigma code, which I had learned about on a previous outing to Bletchley Park. So, truly something for everyone!

- Bruce