Hello all,
Whilst still being officially in Summer, although one or two days have felt distinctly Autumnal, Caring Together have ensured its members are able to get out and about now that we can enjoy more freedom!
A walk round the Woodhouse Moor Allotment was a joy to see just how the vegetables and plants were thriving since our previous visit when the raised beds were very much in their infancy. Sterling work carried out there.
A visit to the new ‘Stick or Twist’ in town for lunch was most enjoyable, Lisa having reserved tables for us in a far corner which enabled us all to chat easier. Fourteen of us enjoyed snacks to full lunches and what good value when hot drinks at 99p are refilled as many times as one can drink! I reminisced that we were actually on the exact spot of the old ‘Cinderella/Rockerfellas’ nightclub, replaced by the Grosvenor Casino then another Wetherspoons pub before this one was born.
A walk around the Gardens at Roundhay followed by a cuppa and cake (of course) in the Canal Gardens added to our new found freedom as did the visit to Golden Acre Park. The latter being a cloudy day, didn’t stop the many photo opportunities of the lake, swans and demonstration gardens. Finishing our walk, naturally, at the Cafe the clouds broke up and our chat over refreshments on the terrace was bathed in very warm sunshine, so much so it was almost tempting to re-take all the photos again, against a different backdrop! A short walk to the bus stop, our ‘resident horticulturist’ (as I refer to him) Ben decided to extend his walk by heading towards Cookridge for the bus home. In reality he took one or two wrong turnings along the way, ending up at one point at the end of the Airport runway, the roar of an incoming aircraft so low nearly blowing his cap off! I think in future we’ll keep to Lisa’s walking routes and not be influenced by Ben!
Those of us who have continued to enjoy ‘Elevenses’ on Zoom each week, went out on location again, this time to Pat’s at her lovely home with a wonderful garden to relax in and enjoy. Thanks to the wonders of technology we were able to link up ‘Elevenses’ with anyone unable to attend in person. We chatted to Denise and her grandson Theo whilst Lisa gave them a visual guided tour of the lovely garden. Who would have ever thought at one time this would all be possible!
A real sun-trap we enjoyed our coffees and teas, some being treated to a homemade lemon balm variety from the garden. So much to look at and admire, plants, fruit trees, garden ornaments and bird baths, our attention was constantly drawn to something else espied through the greenery. Then it was time for the goldfish in the garden pond to be fed, which we understood numbered around 40! Suddenly there was a mass of bright orange as hungry mouths surfaced which obviously prompted another photo opportunity. Thank you Pat for your warm welcome and hospitality.
I understand there are a few more ideas for outdoor events in the pipeline to enjoy before the weather changes and it would be wonderful to see more join us. We will take advantage of the rest of the Summer, before ‘indoor’ events, such as lunching out take over. All too soon the lightweight clothing will be replaced with jumpers and heavier coats but then it will be Autumn – my favourite season – and we will be blessed with the rich golden tones, of reds, rust and browns as the trees also shed their Summer outfits. Let’s make the best of what is on offer, we all deserve it.
Thank you Caring Together for your continuing support to all, for encouraging the companionship and camaraderie enjoyed. Many of us will remember when our family Doctor used to prescribe a bottle of ‘tonic’ to improve our well-being and lift the spirits – but this is far better!
Dear all,
I have taken up litter picking. It would be wrong to call it a hobby and was not on my bucket list of things to do in my retirement years but litter picking is now one of my pleasures.
As a young person I was somewhat oblivious of the effects of litter on the environment and as a smoker had no qualms at throwing fag ends into the wilderness, or the gutter, with a sense of self righteousness, believing, honestly, that they were bio-degradable. I was once stopped in the street by a man who told me I’d dropped something pointing to a match, and with a sudden sense of guilt, I apologised, picked it up and pocketed it.
Perhaps it was part of my awakening although it’s difficult to know what contributed to the process. David Attenborough in Zoo Quest was definitely part of my weekly childhood pleasures; all those lovely furry creatures; but I rather forsook him later in pursuit of the finer things in life like work and children and a little pub culture.
Litter picking, as I’ve discovered, need not be a lone event. About twenty years ago my partner joined a group of others on a Sunday morning to clear a piece of wasteland. The group, organised in the local pub, had a highly entertaining time and returned full of stories of their finds alongside a new camaraderie. Litter pickers united.
Anyway I joined a similar group on Woodhouse Moor, of which I have been a “Friend of” for a long time, a task which has involved attending meetings three or four times a year at a co-Friends’ house eating, sharing wine, and agreeing to some proposals. This litter picking event was organised however by young people full of “green credentials” never having discarded as much as a bottle top in their lives. I was provided with a large plastic hoop thing not unlike a giant bubble wand, a black bag to attach to it and a stick with a claw on the end to pick up litter with and set off to fill my bag, which I did, far too easily.
I’ve changed tactics now though and palled up with Cate another late litter picker and every other Sunday morning we circle our local area. We have our own equipment. Personal litter pickers and black bags. No bubble-blower shaped thingy though. Our general finds are mundane, pop-cans; masks; wrappers; plastic bits; and an odd sock. However, last Sunday was different.
My eyesight is not brilliant, I have bi-focals and developing cataracts but there under an overhanging hedge I spied the monarchs head. A tenner. £10 !
“This one’s mine” I said to Cate rather greedily, but as I clutched it between the claws of my picker- upper there was another one “and that one’s yours” I added as a magnanimous gesture . Twenty quid for an hour of conversation, fresh air and a saunter. Becoming a light shade of green has its rewards.
image sourced from Leeds University Union
Thanks to support from Leeds Bereavement Forum and Carers Leeds, Caring Together will be hosting a ‘New Monthly Bereavement Support Group’ at our new Caring Together premises. Come and meet other bereaved people for group support and understanding. A warm welcome, cuppa and biscuits will also be on offer too.
Our first get together will be Monday 13th September 2021 @11am – 12noon
Thereafter it will then be on the 1st Monday of the month. So for October the date will be: Monday 4th October 2021 at 11am – 12noon
If you are interested, or just want to know more the please do get in touch. Call Lisa 07436 530073, or email if you wish: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk
100% Digital to your door and beyond……
As a community we are learning so much together. We have a weekly digital technology group each Tuesday afternoon at Lovell Park Hub, Little London (booking in advance only) but where one can not get to us, we come to you and we do our best together. And thanks to a partnership with 100% Digital Leeds through Leeds Libraries and Leeds City Council we have also been able to loan some items out to members as well.
If you need to know more get in touch: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk – Caring Together Mobile: 07436 530073
Some Caring Together members have been exchanging letters with members of Armley Helping Hands as part of the Penpal project and using penpal packs provided by Seagulls ReUse.
The latest of these were distributed this week. It has been a nice way of keeping connected during lockdown and findning new friends. Other members have used the materials in the packs to help stay in touch with family and friends.
One lady has used it to write to some friends she had lost touch with and was delighted to receive replies rekindling the old friendship
Dear all,
