What a lovely cuppa!
This year's Christmas bash was maybe not as busy as some others, but there was plenty of time for chat between all our members, given that there was a very difficult pictoral anagram quiz by Peter Bridgeman, another general quiz by Ron (B) (it must have been easy, as a pair of clever clogs got every single question right) Well Done Alison and hubby. 
We had a little sing-song our carolers where helped immensely by the very sweet voice of Rosie Goddard (is there a possible family connection there?). Thank you very much indeed for giving up your precious Saturday morning ly-in to come and sing. 
Going, going, gone: The raffle was as always, a noisy affair, you can see the variety of prizes here, but for the very first time we had a real auction, and the man with the gavel was David Hamilton (see below). The prizes for this were organised by both David and Karen Trinder, I believe £85.00 alone was raised in this way. I'm sure this will happen again, anyone who winked, scratched their nose, crossed their legs had to get their wallets out, as David searched the room for potential victims.
New faces: Once again we had some lovely new people turning up to our never to be missed events, Gordon, Alan, Jim and Ken, apologies if your are not mentioned, I will do my best to correct this. Interestingly, one of our new members came armed with a wonderful booklet (two really) of his journey so far. Ken's story is quite remarkable and is graphically depicted with his own pictures taken on his mobile phone. His language is so colourful and natural, and how he can make a story like this funny I do not know, but he does! There are two titles, so far! as Ken anticipates some more surgery in the near future.
Title 1: STORY OF A LITTLE PROBLEM Download here.
Title 2: NIL BY MOUTH Download here
You can see some more pictures from the December's event by > Clicking here should you have to log in to access them, use our email address headstartnews@gmail.com as the username, and the password is headstart. Please contact me if you have any problems.
WARNING: These booklets are pretty graphic. The story is told as it is, however if Ken sat down beside you somewhere, you could never imagine what he had been through, as his humour and "just get on with life" attitude just shines through so strongly. Ken, I know people who read your booklet this Saturday morning were completely entranced with it. The BBC are running a short story competition just now, and I would dearly love to nominate your stories for entry.
David also gave a short talk on the "buddy system". There is a post about this on the Headstart Blog if you would like to get an idea of what David wants to promote. > click here for more information There were some other possibly controversial issues that David raised, and I'm sure over the next few weeks and months we will know much more about these issues as they come up.
Peter King also spoke passionately about the crisis with transporting patients to and from the hospital. Hospital cuts have hit this service very severely indeed. If you wanted to cantact Peter about this matter,I'm sure he would be only to pleased to give you more information. Also, thanks Pete for once again staying behind to do the magic with your camera.
Gary Bunt, is the mastermind behind these quite beautiful Christmas Cards, which are completely unique for us in Headstart. A huge thank you Gary, I know from selling these cards wherever I can, people just luv 'em. Not only that, they fall about laughing at your wonderful little poems on the back. Gary has not only created these delightful images, but has had them printed (at his own expense), and I believe his daughters lent a helping hand to put each card with their envelopes into their individual protective sleeves. All of us in Headstart, owe him a great deal of gratitude for his generosity.
The title of this card is THROUGH WIINTER SNOW, and as with all Gary's cards there is a delightful and poignant poem.
"Where I am going you do not know, As I battle my way through winter snow. Over hill and dale for the woman I love? No, I'm off for a brandy down at the pub."
DAYS LIKE THIS
"A man was walking in the snow, Out with his faithful friend, He thought to himself, It was days like this, You never want to end."
WHITE CHRISTMAS
"You and me, Christmas tree, Turkey and a bone, Speech at 3, Pickles for tea, Bing on the gramophone."
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If you have any ideas, suggestions or indeed questions about anything at all about Headstart, please feel free to contact any of the Headstart committee`
Light refreshments will be available, along with some surprises and Christmas treats.
HEADSTART EVENTS FOR 2012
Here are the dates for your diaries for 2012
Saturday February 18th Medway Hospital in the Post Grad Centre at 10am. (signs from the various car parks will help show you the way). There will be an OC Meeting before the event in the Maidstone Oncology Centre on Tuesday 7th February at 6pm.
Friday April 27th Queen Victoria Hospital in Maud Barclay room at 10am. There will be an OC Meeting before the event in the Maidstone Oncology Centre on Tuesday 24th April at 6pm.
Saturday 16th June in the Maidstone Oncology Centre at 10am. There will be an OC Meeting before the event in the Maidstone Oncology Centre on Tuesday 12th June at 6pm.
Saturday 15th September Medway Hospital in the Post Grad Centre at 10am. (signs from the various car parks will help show you the way). There will be an OC Meeting before the event in the Maidstone Oncology Centre on Tuesday 4th September at 6pm.
Friday October 26th Queen Victoria Hospital in Maud Barclay room at 10am. There will be an OC Meeting before the event in the Maidstone Oncology Centre on Tuesday 23th October at 6pm.
Saturday 15th December in the Maidstone Oncology Centre at 10am. There will be an OC Meeting before the event in the Maidstone Oncology Centre on Tuesday 11th December at 6pm.
Other events
Please let us know of other events relevant to Headstart members by email at headstartnews@gmail.com
