October 2009 Archives

A new scheme is being trialled by Age Concern in partnership with Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals.

The 'courtesy call' service is for frail and older people who are being discharged from hospital and may need information, advice or help to live independently at home.

Hospital staff will refer patients by phoning the service on the day the patient is allowed home, or by giving the patient a booklet of information.

A spokeswoman for Age Concern said: "This new service has been going for a few weeks and has already ensured that many older people have been discharged home with the support they need.

"The relevant Age Concern branch will contact the patient within 48 hours to discuss their needs, provide information, and suggest services or a home visit."

One such service, the Road to Recovery scheme operated in Spelthorne, provides free help for six weeks with chores such as housework and shopping as well as accompanying clients to appointments, while they recover.

For more information, contact either Age Concern Runnymede on 02932 566 040 or Age Concern Spelthorne on 01784 444 200

Pupils of Ottershaw Church of England School have raised £312.29 for The British Deaf Association.

As part of the national Learn to Sign Week, the children of Ottershaw Infant and Junior Schools were sponsored to wear the brightest clothes they could find on Friday October 9 in an attempt to raise money for the charity.

Spooky half-term adventures are being organised for half term week around Runnymede.

The Halloween themed activities, designed to be fun rather than scary, will be running from Monday October 26 to Friday 30, and has been organised by Runnymede Council.

The first activity is a skeleton scavenger hunt and games at St Ann's Hill, Chertsey on Monday, but there will also be Halloween costume making, arts and crafts and party games.

To round off the week, there will be two sessions of free choice play, where youngsters can choose what they do, and can even have the chance to explore Chertsey Museum.

Emma Parnell, the activity co-ordinator at Runnymede Council, said: "These play sessions are held throughout the year, and have been really popular so far.
"There is something for every age group, ability and interest. We want to encourage children to use their imagination, try something new, make friends, be challenged, and above all, have fun."

For more information visit www.runnymede.gov.uk or call Emma on 01932 425 677, or at emma.parnell@runnymede.gov.uk.

A young single mother who survived a life threatening heart attack has beaten the odds and set up her own karaoke business.

Priscilla Chandro, 38, who lives in Gray Place, Ottershaw, with her five-year-old daughter had a heart attack in April last year.

Runnymede's first ever Chinese film festival is starting on Monday October 12.

Chertsey Film Society will be helping bring Chinese films to a British audience with the first screening at Chertsey Hall, Heriot Road on Monday.

The first film to be shown will be One Foot off the Ground, a drama from mainland China.

Chris Hunt, head of leisure services at Runnymede Council, said: "Filming East Festival approached us to speculatively screen some of their films to a British audience.

"We felt this would appeal to more than just Chinese people in the borough. The film carries English subtitles."

Filming East Festival director Xiaoxiao Sun (corr) will be at the hall on Monday, and said: "I personally wanted the screening event to be held somewhere in Runnymede as I have been living in Egham as a student of Royal Holloway University."

Tickets are £4 on the door (£3 to members of Chertsey Film Society) and the film runs from 7.30pm to 9.45pm.

There will be another screening at Christ Church in Virginia Water.

Princess Alice Hospice and The Bentall Centre, Kingston are hosting a star-studded fashion exhibition, titled 'Fit for a Princess' with celebrity party attire being showcased in store windows. Head down to the centre and see which item catches your eye before bidding online at www.ebay.co.uk/charity from 8pm on Monday 19th October.

Over forty personalities and luminaries, including; Dame Helen Mirren, Strictly Come Dancing's Lynda Bellingham, West End stars Kerry Ellis and Leanne Jones, Samantha Cameron, Beth Ditto, Helena Bonham Carter, Geri Halliwell, Paloma Faith, Joanna Lumley, Trinny Woodhall, Fearne Cotton, Twiggy and The Saturdays have all kindly donated dresses in aid of this vital and important charity.

A grandmother has raised £10,000 in the past eight years by selling jam made from the fruit she grows in her garden.

The money has gone towards Oral Cancer Research and Christ Church in Ottershaw.

Christ Church in Ottershaw is appealing for shoe boxes filled with small gifts, ready to be sent to Romanian children in time for Christmas.

Leaflets are available in the parish centre in Guildford Road, or for more information, call Phoebe Taylor on 01932 872 136.

A quiz night including a raffle is being held at Brook Hall, Ottershaw on Saturday October 24.

The quiz, at the Brox Road venue, starts at 7.30pm but teams should arrive by 7pm.

Tickets cost £4 per head, and guests should bring their own refreshments.

For more information or to book, call 07704 835543.