Shoreham Sound Tennis, SCLTC

I’m visually impaired and I play tennis at Sussex County Lawn Tennis Club in Kingston Land, Southwick (Shoreham.) We actually play Sound Tennis and welcome others to come and try it

Come and join us. We have a trained coach and volunteers to help.

We’re there most Tuesdays from half past two until half past four. I also play there whenever I like and am looking forward to the warmer evenings as well

Everyone is very friendly and its a lovely green oasis.

Soundball Tennis at Shoreham is special

Soundball Tennis at Shoreham is special.

The normal arrangements are that it is an indoor sport, whereas we can enjoy it as an outdoor sport with fresh air, none of the noise associated with sports halls (squeaking shoes, screams from Badminton players, rock music from the climbers on the indoor walls, etc.)

We have found and initially we prefer the slightly firmer BUZZBALLS which re made in England as their flight is truer than the normal Japanese balls. We have since progressed via red balls, orange sot andgreen spot balls to the normal yellows.

The company making them work with 23″ rackets so so do we. We have found that the Japanese balls do not survive heavy usage particularly with the longer 25″ and 27″ rackets. For yellow balls we now use 27″ rackets.

We use the ‘orange ball’ court because it’s appropriate for the shorter rackets. Nowadays we use a full size court.  Net height is set at 80cm.

For a video of the indoor version look at Metro, indoor Soundball

I set thus up because I wanted to be able to play at a court I could walk to from home and enjoy peace and quiet. By joining Sussex County Lawn Tennis Club as a member I could enjoy the club facilities at any time. Thank you.

Today we have two visually impaired players and three helpers. Most of us were starting tennis for the first time and nobody could see any of our mistakes.!

Two years on and our effective vision is much better and we are all fitter  and healthier.

Come and join us.

Full review – Gluten Free in Shoreham By Sea, Brighton and Worthing, Sussex,

Full review – Gluten Free in Shoreham By Sea, Brighton, Worthing and Hove, Sussex,

My grandson (‘FG’,6 years old.) has now been diagnosed as a Coeliac, September 2016, so the primary emphasis has moved to include children’s needs, so the whole family is included.

I’m suggesting a virtual journey around our area, visiting restaurants in Italy, France, America, Mexico, Greece, India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Peru,  England, Thailand, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Japan. Join us and join in the fun.

 

Ice Cream:

Italy, (ice cream was invented by the Romans.) Pizza Hut’s soft ice cream machine is GF. Serve yourself. 15th OCTOBER 2016. Beautiful Italian Ice Cream. FG’s verdict “Ten Yums”

Tom Foolery café, Shoreham High Street – good choice of coffees and some GF cake or pastry plus Marshfield Farm ice cream. Lack of knowledge so only choose Chocolate chip Mint flavour.20th Novemberr 2016. Location.

Macaris sea front Worthing…everything except cookies and cream are Gluten Free. 17th October 2016. Location.

Worthing Lido shop – GF Ice Cream in a tub. Marshfield September 2016. Location.

Worthing, Food Retaurant is very good. Location.

Tosca’s restaurant in Shoreham By Sea – ice cream with or without Chocolate Brownie, a sprig of mint and a chocolate finger! 25th September 2016. Location.

Theatre Royal Brighton provide Beechdean GF Ice Creams.

Brighton Beach Ice cream;   through the tunnel at the end of West Street and first on the right. Huge selection. FG’s verdict on banana and chocolate, three YUMs. August 2016.

Beechdean Ice Creams are all Gluten Free, 25th October 2016

Marshfield Farm ice cream in tubs is all gluten free; four of the scoop tub ones are not,  namely Raspberry Pavlova; Chocolate Fudge Brownie; Gingerbread in Clotted Cream; Cookies and Cream”

 

Cafés/ fast food

 MacDonalds, Shoreham, Holmbush and Worthing – [America. Peru, West Africa.]  Beef bruger or chicken and fries or hash browns with any of the sauces or dips, except sweet and sour plus  Salad. Couple of choices for dessert.  FRIES. FG’s verdict “Four YUMS” Location. Good coffee. 26th November 2016.

KOOKs Gardner Street, Brighton. Just when I needed a Chocolate Brownie and a glass of wine, they delivered. Good range of snacks. 10th October 2016, Location,

Ropetackle Café, Shoreham, GF jacket potatoes, toasted GF sandwiches, cake and coffee. 5th October 2016, . . Location.

Panissa Coffee Shop,  |Southwick Square Café – Excellent Carrot Cake and  cup of tea. 4th October 2016.  Location.

Carats Cafe, Southwick, All-day Breakfast, your selection; eg bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, and SAUTE potatoes heated in an oven. Also Pipers Crisps (Yellow and blue packets are GF). August 2016. Location.

Brighton Beach Paddling Pool café, under the Arches; GF fruit bar and very good coffee;

Gardner Street Brighton (Komedia) café – toasted sandwich, cake, wine, October 2016. Also two cafés (Manor and the Larder)next door to each other owned by the same people so what one doesn’t have next door does, whether its wine or cake. (This time not so good, had to go to Kooks , two doors along. October 2016).

Dome Vintage Tea Room, Worthing, Toasted ham and cheese sandwich with crisps and salad…. and a glass of wine. Today choose your ingredients GF all day breakfast. Excellent. Location. 17 October 2106.

The Artisan café, Shoreham, chocolate brownie or taosted sandwiches, all-day breakfast, extensive cold salad choices. 17th October 2016. (with a glass of wine.)

The Plaice in the Square, Southwick, GF Fish and Chips, MTW only. They like twenty minutes warning to prepare the batter. Location and phone no.

 

Pubs / Bars

I shall shortly be checking out Wetherspoons as they are back onmy horizon. Their CF menu looks good and then there’s the apple crumble, bring it on. 8th January 2017.

GF Beer: The Cow Shed, Worthing sea front opp. the Pier, has GF Beer. 17th October 2016. Location.

GF Beer: The Evening Star, just down from Brighton Station serves gluten free lager/ beer, OK OK so it’s bottled but at least they have it and you can enjoy it. September 2015.Location.

GF Beer: The Duke of Wellington, Shoreham, serves gluten free lager/ beer, OK OK so it’s bottled but at least they have it and you can enjoy it.  Plus GF ‘Real’ crisps. October 2016. Location.

The Bridge Hotel, Shoreham By Sea – Fish Pie with seasonal vegetables at the Bridge.   Excellent pie and the Bridge has a garden overlooking the River Adur. Lovely staff, limited GF menu. Location.

The Rising Sun, Upper Beeding. It always seems high risk, but the chef checks with you personally and we always work out something that’s good and well priced. Location. , where the Henfield Road comes into Upper Beeding. It’s better for GF than the Kings Head. June 2016.

Wetherspoons (Brighton Marina, George St., Hove and Worthing) – used to be very good because they had CHIPS which these days are gone. They may do a GF Curry but I need to confirm this.

Harvester has given me a mixed view. Near Marlow and the M40 junction they were excellent after a momentary panic. In Brighton it was not a happy experience though the food was indeed GF. Similarly with the Worthing one. So no clear recommendation.

All the Wadsworth’s pubs and restaurants in the South West upto Hampshire and Gloucestershire.

 

Restaurants

Chambers Restaurant, High Street Shoreham, very smart, and the chef knows what he’s doing. Great food, an excellent lunch menu and good wine. Now with a gluten- free menu. January 2017. Location.

Liming, Mexican restaurant in Worthing, extensive GF choice including kids. 7th Jan 20`7. FG awarded Ten YUMs plus a plus five YUMs for the nachos. Ice cream was excellent particularly with the caramel sauce. Location.

India / Bangladesh. The Indian Cottage, High Street, Shoreham, they use gram flour – avoid the nan bread and chappatis, and you can ask for a small portion and also with no or low sugar. Pappadums are made with urlich flour and rice flour. LJ’s verdict “Ten YUMs” 26th October 2016. Location.

Thailand, Thai Street Food, Bath Place, Worthing. The team, particularly the chef knows her business. The soy problem and the noodles. Yellow mild curry was delicious. 24th October 2016. Location. ]A second visit later, was even more popular with everyone. FG Three YUMS, LJ Four YUMS.]

Italy. Tosca’s in Shoreham By Sea – GF garlic bread, Beef Stroganoff (GF version) a great family lunch. Normally GF penne supplied with a wide range of GF sauces. Also very good GF pizzas. with GF pepperoni.Smart restaurant. 14th October 2016. Location.

Italy. Pizza at Pizza Hut, near Churchill Square;, always have extra tomatoes – great for children…and there’s Italian Ice Cream. May 2016. .Location. FG’s verdict – “Pizza 3 Yums, Pizza with tomato, cheese, ham and chicken.Ice cream with chocolate sauce “10 Yums.” (by the way colours of tomato, Mozarello cheese and Basil are the colours of their national flag!)

Bankers Express, Hov – GF Fish and chips, with mushy peas, on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Beautiful piece of cod. FRIES. August 2016. Location.

France. Steak Frites at Cote , Brighton – FRIES. “Straight from France”. C’est magnifique.” Also chicken and fries. Plus apple sorbet with Calvados. August 2015. Location.  Link to main web site to find and book a table anywhere.  I’ve visited one in Birmingham and also the one near Victoria station – just brilliant.

Italy. Carluccio’s, Brighton; – always good and good wine, I usually have GF Pasta or the Goat’s Cheese salad… and there’s a Tesco round the corner to get some chocolate. July 2016. . . Location.

Fish Factory; Worthing, no chips. The food is beautiful. July 2016. Location.

“Food” Worthing, including real burger and real chips. very good  and the ice cream is good too, 5th December 2016. Location.

February 2016. Royal George carvery, Shoreham – every thing except the gravy and cauliflower cheese. Very popular prices, excellent if you’re really hungry! Location,

2015. We also had a superb family meal at the Arun View in Littlehampton, overlooking the River Adur…. with a west facing terrace and a superb meal. Location.

The Toll Gate, Bramber – carvery and cold table, excellent food, and a huge choice of desserts,  (Best of all) knowledgeable staff, Location.

Italy. Zizzi’s, Brighton, location.  Zizzi’s are good whatever town you visit. So looking for a restaurant in a  new place then it’s easier. Link to main site for finding and booking a table anywhere.

Zizzi’s, Cote, Carluchio’s and Cafe Rouge are all great choices. Plus Pizza Hut, Pizza Express and Domino’s are all great.

Crab Shack, Worthing, I’ll keep it simple. I won’t go there again. 30th November 2016

 

AND the new ones

Spain, Aguadulce Brighton.Various GF dishes.

Brazil, Touro, Brighton

Poland, Lavenda, Worthing.

Bangladesh. Mahan Worthing, almost everything OK even the pappadoms, though not the chapatis and naan bread. !7th October 2016.

Greece. Fat Greek Taverna, Worthing.  Proper Greek food should be great.

Fish Factory in Littlehampton.

India. Chaula’s Indian Restaurant Little East Street Brighton. Dosa possibly.

AND if you’re starving:-

Jacket or boiled potatoes with omelette and salad and then you start creating something they can do, but no grated cheese. Remember all ingredients have to be shown on every package even for caterers.

Bounty bars; YorkieBars,

Tesco’s (Holmbush) gluten free section is 36ft long and seven shelves high, lots of choice. Plus Tesco’s own label chocolate 85%. Plus bag of mixed nuts in ‘greengrocery section’ and sultanas in ‘home baking.;

Selected Dates, Quinoa and molasses I get from Infinity Foods.

 

BEWARE:

BAD NEWS: wheat, barley, rye, oars, spelt, semolina, couscous, malt, noodles, (rice noodles are v good) North African cuisine (Couscous)

Mayonnaise. Coleslaw. Mint sauce. Soy sauce. Check them each time.

These are my opinions because company policy can change, chefs can change, ingredients can change  and then there’s the kitchen staff  and their utensils. So you’ll be pleased to know that I am extremely sensitive to gluten and that I’d come with you t any of these.

Bon appetite.

Cliff

AMD & Cliff’s Action Plan for AMD

 

Well seven months later, 11th January 2197 update.

My wet AMD hid the attack by Dry AMD in my left eye. “Both of your eyes have extensive damage from DRYy AMD so we don’t see any benefit of continuing the injections in your left eye.”

I know the extra sight I get after an injection so this proposal appalled me.

I have added a special pocket to many pairs of trousers so as to carry my telescopic white stick all the time just actually using it for the shortest times.

SO WHAT.  I hauled out my boots and went for an eleven mile walk over the South Downs today, just to prove I can

My effective vision is as good as it has ever been.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

September 20116 Update:

I’ve had AMD for six to seven years mow. I had early onset Dry AMD in my right eye which later deteriorated to the left eye and with Wet AMD. There have been many ups and downs and I’m pleased to say that my effective vision is better today than at any time since diagnosis.

Since April I have been taking Lipitor at a gradually increasing dosage from 20mg per day to 80 today (September). We have no objective measurements yet and possibly not until January 2017. I bought the Lipitor from pharmacies in Portugal while visiting.

I have stopped carrying a white cane.

…………………………………………………………………………………

August 2014 Cliff’s personal action plan, a  schematic.

develop your own personal plan

1.  Take Food Supplements
Drosen  is dead cells not washed away, so I take Lutein  and Zeaxanthin with the zinc supplement and  vitamin b12. I take 80mg, rather than 10mg because one always lives in hope.
2.  Look  Beyond.
I’m using my brain to instruct my eyes to “look beyond” or round the splodge to get my peripheral vision looking ahead of me.
3. Go Walking.
I go walking in parks or the countryside as its green – relaxing and good for the eyes and the soul. Target, 10,000 paces a day.  This sounds a lot but this is only an hour and a half.

4. Go Further and Even Further.
To move on I need to try to go further in every area of my life, all the time, always rebuilding my self-confidence.

5. Get Visual Impairment certificate.
Gives you reduced prices for your carer and may be some government “Benefits”.

6. Always say YES.
It’s scary but the fastest way to re-develop myself.

7. Get a Tablet
Start with this technology NOW and learn to use it fast as it’s a life-saver, as it keeps you in touch with the world. Without being in touch with the world, quality of life can disappear down the drain.

8. Get and Help Another VIP
A problem shared is a problem halved.

9.  Build up an Exercise Regime
I do Tai Chi and indoor tennis. I run a productive allotment.

Building a Better Britain

Building a Better Britain

Economists and politicians need to realise that the UK people have changed. They are now the highest educated people we have ever had. They are the ones who have noticed that they are not getting a fair deal and have thrown the cuckoos out of the nest. They want a new deal.

Similarly they are the people driving the new sector of the economy the ‘Knowledge Sector’, embracing AI, Robotics, nano-technologies, the Internet of Things, Gameification, new materials and new knowledge from every source multiplied by our innate capability to innovate that is to turn new knowledge into real life and to deploy and implement them them effectively.

The economy is no longer driven by the land owners or the factory owners. The Services sector still exists covering retail, tourism, entertainment, hospitality and private rented housing.

This new Britain needs a new, revitalised ethos and direction looking after our nation.

 

Three key elements, namely:

1. Congratulate the Voters

  • Just as the Scots, Welsh and Ireland have national days so should England, so rename the Early Spring Bank Holiday as “England Day” and change the date to 23rd April
  • Announce a new national day for everyone “Independence Day” June 23rd each year
  • To solve the housing shortfall (a million homes) and to create half a million new jobs announce EDZ Enterprise Development Zones available for any ineffectively used land in city , town and village centres utilising existing public transport facilities for example bus and train stations and any available car-parks.

2.Create a larger executive Better Britain Team,   create a larger executive Better Britain Team, say 5,00 people recruited from the professions and industry amongst other items:

  1. To establish a level playing field solve the problem of  the “Haves” versus the “Have-nots”, the same problem the Aborigines and the North American Indians all dispossessed of their land by invaders or armed gangs.
  2. To give the maximum freedom to wealth creators,eliminate transaction taxes e.g. Stamp Duty, and Inheritance and Capital Gains taxes
  3. To reward and look after local creators rliminate Business Rates and reduce Corporation Tax to one per cent for those companies not subject to IPR charges, royalties, head office management charges or other devices designed to export profits to an external jurisdiction-
  4. To simplify the Tax Law and release people to more constructive roles, eliminate Airport Taxes and other minor taxes
  5. To improve productivity and quality of service instate trading opportunities in every area that can be considered a monopoly, including Train Operators’ contracts, local government (particularly as they are no longer audited accounts)  Health Services, Water companies, thr\copper cable’ twisted pair monopoly abused by the current owners
  6. To reduce the feeling of inequality open up Quangos so that they are run by unpaid volunteers, to be rewarded by a new nomenclaturte  for example VSOP (volunteer specialist)
  7. To eliminate the preference given to political appointees and civil servants to reorganise the House of Lords, and to remove hereditary ranks and Lords Spiritual and substantially reduce their numbers
  8. To recognise the importance getting people to their work efficiently to sort out a new method of public transport e.g. bus convoys with alterations to priorities on motorways and dual carriageways
  9. To ensure that Honours are greeted fairly by the nation as a whole to change the Honours rules so that the media cannot use the honorific if the individual is not ordinarily resident and domiciled in the UK
  10. To properly recognise the extraordinary contribution made by our colleagues who work overseas, cahnge the income tax laws so that their rewards are free of UK income and corporate taxes
  11. To give voters control of their local council by revoking the current payments to councillors (as this makes them dependent on their income, ), by legislating that every council produces and publish them proper report and accounts (just as public companies are required to do)
  12. Now let’s get everyone in Britain speaking good english and enjoying our culture, ethos and freedoms

 

3.Create a separate EU exit team to handle the divorce, recognising that it will be virtually impossible to negotiate with twenty seven countries. There seems to be a determined effort by too many people to make these negotiations very difficult or impossible or impossibly protracted.

In these circumstances our probable starting point is to trigger Article 50 and then to announce that we will consider any agreed proposal from the EU agreed by thee twenty seven member.

In the event of this being impossible then we will leave in twenty four months; that we now have to accept the possibility of being accused of  aiding and abetting corruption by transferring monies to organisations without audited accounts; ourt payments would any way reduce progressively to NlL by the end of the twenty four months.

In these circumstances the UK will negotiate Trade Agreements with whoever they want to, ready for implementation on the first day of freedom but no later than 23rd June 2019.

Adur Disrtrict Council Disability and Access group – my notes

Topics: Next time:

– Nick’s role as Advisor, and really the purpose of the group and it’s terms off reference

– New members to be invited specifically the Police

– Pedestrian safety at island at entrance to ‘NEXT’ car park.

– Refuges at road junctions along Old Shoreham road 9, 12, 17, 21 paces wide, also at Buckingham Road entrance and exit

– Pavement Closed – use other pavement. – Nick I think said I had to get in touch with the Highways Agency, [temporary path now barricaded. Brilliant.]

– Disability bus pass, ROVI knows certified sight loss so the ‘Pass’ people shouldn’t need any further proof. Gary arranging for Ang… to contact me to sort outy the problem

– Footpath / bridle path path North from Holmbush , covered in horse dung and then a quagmire.

– Overgrown hedges on Old Shoreham Road and Kingston Lane.

– Access on Public footpath over Shoreham lock gates to Southwick beach,

–  Who pays Chartwell? Who in WSCC liaises with Chartwell?

 

Previous meetings:

 – Talking BUS STOP now talking again. Brilliant. [“Please accept this slight delay as to save power the display is in sleep mode…” 1 minute and < three minutes. Gary looking into it]. Now working perfectly. Thank you.

– BARLEY MaCcroawbsss V CoRiMe FFishsave
Duty of Care to a known coeliac given a non-gluten free meal at School (told by dinner staff it was fine for him, even when he disagreed.) Now picture a child writhing with pain for twenty hours. PLUS two weeks later Dumpling Incident. The problem is the length of the chain, How can I help? Nck emailib me about Penny… CJ to contact Coliac Society. Chartwells.Question Delegated or deserted?

–  Compliments to Planning Officers at Shoreham Society meeting
– Glass panels on footbridge
– Compliments for Southlands Green,
– Compliments of Downs Link path new surface,
– Wheelchair compliant allotment now available at Williams Road allotments
– Access leaflet (30th September 2016)
– Local information and facilities screens (30th September 2016)
– Circle Network, WSCC time bank, sounds good. (30th Septemb2016)
– Operation Crackdown, progress to date? (28th July 2016)
– Bus Times. OAPs expected to be in bed by 11pm. (28th July 2016)
– Compliments for new pavement at east end of Ham Road.
– Hanging baskets at head height in Southwick Square pretty but just the wrong height. Suggested an ‘A’ board underneath.(30th September 2016)
– Compliments for clearing A boards in High Street.
– Timing of traffic lights, eight seconds to cross the road. (30th September 2015)
– Asked for Twigglers on all replacement traffic light units. (30th September 2016)
10.30. am Friday 29 th July 2016

Agenda

1. Housekeeping, Welcome and introductions
2. Apologies &amp; AOB items (please advise at start)
3. Minutes of the last meeting (no longer provided – attendees notes only)
4. Matters arising
i. Dial-a- Ride and Community Transport
ii. Disabled Go
5. Planning
6. Work Plan
7. Any other business (as advised at start)
8. Outcomes &amp; the future of the group
9. Date, time and venue next meeting.
Friday 30 th Sept 2016, 10.30, max 2 hours, Room 1, Shoreham Centre
Format to remain the last Friday of every odd month (1,3,5,7,9,11)
/home/cliff/Cliff’s pictures/Cliff’s Choicest/13973 Many Merry Marigolds Cliff Jenkins.jpg

2016 on the allotment

We’ve had our allotment for more than ten years. During the last few years we have added two pear trees and a Victoria plum and a Greengage, our first tree had been a Damson.

Since then we also put in two apple trees and a Yellow Egg plum (for jam making.).

This means that with the raspberries and the strawberries we have reduced our vegetable area to about half of the plot Then you take out the runner bean and butter bean beds and the fuchsia bed not to mention the three flower beds  and you’re left with a manageable chink.

Over the last couple of years we have renovated the raised beds with pressure treated boards and fixed posts at the corners so that any of them can have a covering fitted,

It was a poor, cold and wet start to the year and many things had to be re-sown. Hey ho! Harvested everything we wanted to and there was lots of fruit and we were particularly pleased with the Cupidon.

Currently (October 2016) we have leeks, celeriac, courgettes, beetroot, beans, tomatoes, parsley, potatoes, cauliflowers, broccoli  and squashes planted.

LUTEIN – The Macular Society’s Comments

These are exciting times for research.  Promising new drugs are in development, important genetic discoveries are being made and we’ve seen the first safety trials of stem cells in the human eye.

 

A large study, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2) suggests that a high intake of lutein can reduce the risk of developing advanced AMD. The Aston researchers concluded: “For an informed population, many AMD participants were under-consuming nutrients considered to be useful for their condition.  Participants without AMD were more likely to reach recommended daily allowance values”.

[ Publsher’s Comment ; The AREDs 1 study is in fact more important.]

 

Lutein and zeaxanthin, key constituents of macular pigment, have been found in high levels in the retinal rods.  This suggests that macular pigment could play a significant role in keeping the retinal rods healthy and maintaining how well our eyes are able to adapt to the dark

 

Consider a nutritional supplement if you cannot be sure of getting high levels of antioxidants in your diet.  There is some evidence that a specific formula of antioxidants and zinc tested in the second Age-Related Eye Disease trial  (AREDS 2) can slow down the progression of AMD in some groups of people.  No supplement has been shown to cure AMD.  You should always talk to your ophthalmologist or optometrist before taking supplements, as they can interact with prescriptive medications.

 

The Macular Society has information on all aspects of living with macular conditions.  We also have local support groups and a training programme to help people learn to use their peripheral vision more effectively (called “skills for seeing”).  We have a professional, confidential telephone counselling service, a befriending service and a team of “buddies” who can provide reassurance on injections and visual hallucinations caused by Charles Bonnet Syndrome

 

My notes for talk about AMD – Macular

AMD Facts (source Macular Society):

  • 51% of over 65s have the start of AMD

  • 15% of all over 80s have advanced AMD

  • time from initial symptoms to severe is usually between 6 and 12 months

AMD causes progressive deterioration of sight:

  • no driving

  • no reading (newspapers, TV programmes, books, signs,)

  • no writing

  • fewer smiles, no face recognition. No eye contact

  • loss of colour definition, and clarity; need more light,

  • no depth perception

AMD Pre-emptive defence:

  • Get OCT scan from Peter Marson in Church Road Hove
  • Take Lutein

  • Get fit, you’ll be walking a lot!)

  • Get a good smartphone

  • Join Shoreham AMD Support Group at The Shoreham Centre

  • Give me a call, Cliff on 07582 902922

  • Use your sense of humour, plenty of obstinacy, and a pair of waterproof shoes

Cliff Jenkins, February 2016

My “Please Help” Card, It’s wonderful

My “Please Help” Card says “Please help. I’m visually impaired.” and it’s wonderful.

I no longer have to say anything about my situation, I show the card and ask my query as if I was completely normal.

Absolutely Adult to Adult – “I’m OK, you’re OK.”

I must give you my example from yesterday. I had booked two tickets for the Barbar v Samoa Rugby Union match at the Olympic Stadium and unfortunately my carer couldn’t make it. Do I go or not?

I have used my Yellow Card on many occasions and knew it worked but this would be extraordinary. From Shoreham By Sea to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, East London and return. Let’s see when I used it:

1. At Shoreham Station when buying my Travelcard,, just as an alert that I may appear slower than I am.

2. At Brighton Station when asking a station official time of the next train to London Bridge (as there are huge destination boards showing just that information.

BUY ONE NOW, click here.

3. At Bank Station to ask a DLR (Docklands Light Railway) official for a train to Stratford.”Next one, change at Canary Wharf”.

4. At Canary Wharf, a DLR railway cleaner for the next train to Stratford.

5. At Stratford, well you can see the Olympic Stadium but how to get there, I asked two PCSOs standing together, through the tunnel over there, right to the end and then into the Westfield Centre and take the escalators to the second floor”. (I wanted an Italian restaurant for some lunch. )

6. At the end of the tunnel I couldn’t make out thee arcade with the escalators, (actually I couldn’t see an arcade at all) so I asked another PCSO and he looked and then said “I could use a walk, I take you over there myself. ” straight to the escalators.

7. Up two flights of escalators  and nothing but clothes shops, but no Italian Restaurant. I selected a shop selling expensive watches and asked and a delightful young man gave  me a smile to warm your heart and said “Up there to the left is “Strada”.

Success. half way, time to relax a bit.

BUY ONE NOW, click here.

8. I showed the waitress my yellow card as I can’t read a menu.I had chosen an Italian restart as they always have Gluten Free pasta. But No. Not Strada. We settled on  salad with cold poached salmon. Just right.

9. Out of Westfield was straight forward as all the stewards were directing people to the Olympic Park so my next use was with the first Olympic Stadium steward who then read my ticket and directed me to the Block I needed. It’s wonderful indeed.

10. Up the stairs into the Stadium and I realised my ticket was not up in the Gods but higher still. Pulled out my card to ask if there might be any empty seats and he immediately put me in row 30 rather than row 56!

Well the match was a trifle difficult as my “Blodge” more than covered the whole of the area of the rugby posts and if I turned my head to look at the screen the same problem occurred. I learned that I would be OK if next time if I sat in the expensive seats in the middle and also if I set up my smartphone to listen to the radio commentary.

AND so the return trip. I made a fundamental error I did not precisely retrace my steps from the stadium to the station.

11 and 12 got me over the bridge into the station.

13. Another PCSO got me on the Jubilee Line direct to London Bridge.

14. The last time I was in this part of London was before they built the Jubilee Line! I turned to a delightful passenger showing my card and said that I didn’t know the Jubilee Line and couldn’t read the Tube Maps. She explained that he train actually went direct to London Bridge. Her father also has AMD and I think she said that he runs ten K every day! Notwithstanding that I gave her my card so that I could introduce him to Soundball Tennis.

15. At London Bridge Station I went to the barrier staff to find out the platform no, of the next train to Brighton. What a fantastic trip.

This may not necessarily be what Brighton and Hove Buses had in mind when they decided to produce the Yellow Cards, but I wouldn’t have done it without the confidence their cards give.

So multiple thanks for the freedom the Yellow Card has brought me.

Thanks also to so many friendly and helpful people. What a lovely world we are fortunate enough to live in. AND they were all smiling.

BUY ONE NOW, click here.

………………………………………………….

September 2015

It’s so good my card wore out, so I’m having some made.  I can give them away, give them to people who need them….. I might also sell some!

BUY ONE NOW, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

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