Wardside Gazette No. 21
March 2012 · Editor: Resident Margery Neill and Resident Andrew Hodge
New Residents:
Mrs Nan Watson from Crieff joined us last month as a permanent resident and we hope, Nan, you are settling in well and gradually getting to know us all. Naturally, it takes a little time to ‘get your bearings’.
Birthday:
In the last week of February Ursula Hubbard celebrated a special birthday in the company of her daughters, sons in law, grandchildren and even a great grand child. We extend our best wishes to Ursula and hope she has many returns of the day. Despite her debilities, she keeps herself busy knitting for several charities.
Good Wishes are also expressed to Bruce Campbell who is at present in hospital and we hope that he will be back with us soon.
Staffing:
Nicola Ozkan returned from maternity leave on 21st February – welcome back Nicola!
It has been arranged that two members of staff will attend a two-day course on Palliative Care on 19th and 23rd of this month.
Craft Class:
Continuing the Chinese New Year theme, the class tackled successfully the making of Chinese lanterns and imitation candles. Although quite decorative, both proved to be relatively easy to construct but little did the class know what Susie had in store for them the following week. – Quilling! – It took two weeks to ‘master’ the technique and produce small decorative plaques but it was fun and good exercise for the fingers. Additionally, Susie reported that the Leprosy Mission’s representative had conveyed their grateful thanks for the Used Stamps that had been collected by Wardside House residents. Consequently, the class agreed that the Used Stamp Box should be kept available throughout the year rather than over the Christmas period only.
Quiz Nights:
Here again Susie keeps the class on its toes with a different subject each week in addition to general knowledge. Recent subjects related to St. Valentine, the Chinese New Year and what would be found in a Spring Garden. It is amazing what you can remember and what is on the tip of your tongue but will just not come out.
‘And The Waltz Goes On’.
This DVD, shown in the Large Lounge on Friday 24th last month, was excellent and very much enjoyed by the few residents who attended. The music was a delight to listen to and, at the same time, spectacular to watch – as young ladies wearing crinoline type dresses in a variety of colours formed almost 60% of the orchestra.
Future events this month.
Friday 2nd March at 11am Puppet Show by children of Muthill Primary School.
Sunday 4th March at 2.30 pm Church Service by Rev. W. Ross.
Friday 9th March at 11 am Church Service by Rev. A. Barton.
Here is an interesting story.
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black mud, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy whom farmer Fleming had saved. “I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life”. “No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.
“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Yes” the farmer replied proudly.
“I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud off.”
And he did.
Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.
What saved his life this time? – Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? – Lord Randolph Churchill.
His son’s name? – Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around.
Wardside House, Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire PH5 2AS.Tele. No: 01764 681 275www.wardsidehouse.com