St Bede’s School Supports Blind Veterans UK 75th Anniversary

St Bede’s school in Hailsham have decided to support Blind Veterans UK as their charity of the year from September 2013.

St Bede’s School baking a difference for blind veterans!

A group of students are spending the day at our centre in Brighton next Tuesday 18 June for their ‘Make a difference day’ where they will volunteer at the centre doing various tasks such as; tidying the garden, sweeping and cleaning garden chairs.

Cookies baked for a cookbook

In addition the students are putting together a cookbook to sell as part of the Blind Veterans UK 75^th Anniversary of our Brighton building. The book will contain 75 recipes from all the students in the Crossways house at St Bede’s school.

We’d like to thank Mrs Lambeth from St Bede’s School for organising the cookbook.

To get involved with our 75th Anniversary celebrations or find out more information visit our website.

Members make allsorts in our training weeks

This bracelet was made by Dorothy Shepherd age 89 who is a member of Blind Veterans UK. Dorothy made these realistic looking liquorice allsorts during her recent training week at the Blind Veterans UK Brighton centre by layering the different colours of fimo (coloured clay) and cutting them to size, piercing a hole through the soft clay and baking them to set hard in a conventional oven before threading the imitation sweets onto an elastic thread. Unfortunately they are not available to buy just yet because Dorothy took them home to show the family but Dorothy will soon be making more from her home in Swindon.

To view more art and craft pieces made by members of Blind Veterans UK visit our Facebook page.

81 Year Old Terry Walker Completes 75 Miles

81 year old blind veteran Terry Walker has completed 75 miles on a treadmill to mark 75 years at our Brighton building!

Terry was born in 1932 and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He decided to take part in the 75 mile challenge as he has always enjoyed walking on the treadmill at our Brighton centre every morning.

Terry is a permanent resident at our Brighton centre, where he stays in one of the 85 rooms which we offer to members who need the support, comfort and security of a residential care home.

Congratulations to Terry from all at Blind Veterans UK!

If you are taking part in a 75 themed challenge, please make sure to tell us before it happens! Email: 75challenges@blindveterans.org.uk.

Ted Pepper is Pedaling 75 Miles for 75th Anniversary

79 year old Ted Pepper is a permanent resident at the Blind Veterans UK Brighton centre. He is getting into the spirit of the 75th Anniversary of our Brighton building by pedaling 75 miles! Ted goes to the gym in the centre every weekday morning and uses one of the machines to exercise his legs. During his challenge Ted will pedel whilst remaining in his wheelchair.

Ted Pepper pedaling at our Brighton centre.

Since we last checked on the 22nd May 2013 Ted had completed 40 of his 75 miles. Everyone at the centre is extremely proud of Ted and his fantastic effforts to celebrate 75 years at the centre.

Relatives of WWI Veteran visit Blind Veterans UK

Earlier this month we were visited by Lorraine Harrison, James Richards and Louise Ahmet – three siblings, and relatives of World War One veteran James Pardo Meighen. Lorraine had arranged the visit to the Blind Veterans UK headquarters on Harcourt Street in London to learn more about her grandfather’s cousin.

James, Lorraine and Louise at Blind Veterans UK, Harcourt Street

James Pardo Meighen was born in Liverpool on 11^th November 1893 and he joined Blind Veterans UK, then known as St Dunstan’s, on 22^nd November 1918, after we became aware of his being in the 4^th London General Hospital at Denmark Hill.

James Pardo Meighen with Nurse Enid Helen Gordon

Before enlisting into the Royal Field Artillery on 22^nd March 1915, James worked as a driver and stableman. He was wounded in the Ypres sector on 11^th September 1918, leading to him being formally discharged on 22^nd November 1918. James suffered a shrapnel wound to both eyes, leaving him with no sight in his left eye and only a little in his right. He also had wounds to his left arm.

When those serving in the First World War were blinded, it was usual for them after their hospital treatment to come to our then headquarters in Regent’s Park, London, to take part in rehabilitation activities and training. Instruction in Braille and typing was provided as standard and a range of other occupational training was offered to members. James passed his typewriting and Braille reading tests whilst with us and gained a proficiency certificate in netting.

Lorraine looking at Enid Helen Gordon’s photo album

Our aim was that members would in time be able to rejoin wider society, in an occupation, and live as independent a life as possible. To this end, following their time spent in rehabilitation and training, members would formally be transferred to our ‘after care’ or welfare department who would keep in touch and provide advice and assistance where necessary. Helping our members recover their independence and discover a life beyond sight loss is still our aim today.

James looking at the photo album compiled by Nurse Enid Helen Gordon.

James had many successful sporting achievements during his time with us. He was a member of our team which on two occasions in 1921 played football against a visiting Arsenal side, in the form of penalty kicks, with the Arsenal players except s the goalkeeper playing blindfolded. Today, in our archives, we hold several medals and cups of his,such as a Football Competition silver trophy. This was won by the Meichonian’s team with the name of J.P.Meichen inscribed as Captain – over the years records show James’s name spelt in a number of ways!

James also completed many London to Brighton walks – which we still hold today – from which he received medals. Lorraine, James and Louise were shown a number of these , including the one from the walk which took place on 6^th October 1923. James completed the distance in an impressive 11 hours, 8 minutes and 20 seconds. Many of these items were given to us in 1991 following the death of James’ wife Susannah. .

One of James’ sporting medals

On the 19^th July 1921 James was transferred to after-care and in October 1921 he moved to West Ham in east London to set up a tobacco and confectionery business. Unfortunately his business was unsuccessful and James returned to our headquarters in 1924 to re-train in telephony. He worked afterwards in this occupation for Lloyd’s Register until his retirement in 1945. He died in 1964.

The London to Brighton walk medal awarded to James

A relative of Lorraine, James and Louise said that all they remember of James was “someone who came home from War and never saw again”. It was extremely rewarding to have been able to piece together some of the missing information for Lorraine, James and Louise. We even had a photograph of James, pictured on a tandem with Nurse Enid Helen Gordon. She was a VAD or Voluntary Aid Detachment, one of many voluntary nurses we had helping us at this time. The photo is from an album full of photos and cuttings which she compiled; it was kindly given to us recently by her daughter, Mary Gardner.

It is rare that we have so much information in our archives about one member of Blind Veterans UK, but it was white gloves at the ready as we were able to show them James’ war medals too. The 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal 1914-18 and the Allied Victory Medal were given to the family to hold.

James’ 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal, 1914-18 and the The Allied Victory Medal

We’d like to thank Lorraine, James and Louise for visiting Blind Veterans UK and we wish them all the best with the rest of their family history research!

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Chief of Defence Staff officially opens Llandudno centre for blind veterans

The head of the British Armed Forces – Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen arrived by helicopter in the grounds of Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno training, care and rehabilitation centre at 11am on Thursday, 2 May to officially open the centre.

General Sir David Richards unveiling the monolith made out of North Wales slate outside the centre.

Following a tour of the centre, the General attended a special dedication ceremony for the late Captain Stephen Healey who was an active supporter of Blind Veterans UK before he died last year from an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Captain Healey’s parents – John and Kerry Healey, unveiled a memorial plaque for their son during the ceremony. His partner- Thea Davies, plus senior members of Captain Healey’s regiment the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh and regimental goat were also in attendance.

Plaque dedicated to the late Captain Stephen Healey on the wall of our Llandudno centre.

General Sir David Richards with Thea Davies

Captain Healey’s parents – John and Kerry Healey, unveil a memorial plaque for their son during the ceremony.

The second part of the General’s visit involved him unveiling a monolith made out of North Wales slate outside the centre.

The Monolith made out of North Wales slate outside the centre.

General Sir David Richards said: “I am delighted to have been asked to officially open Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno rehabilitation, care and training centre. My visit to the centre is especially timely as I have just become a Vice Patron for the charity – a position I feel very privileged to accept.

I have been extremely impressed by the first class staff and facilities here at this amazing location. And I have been humbled by the courage and positive attitude of the ex-Servicemen and women here who have faced up to sight loss and regained their independence thanks to the support of Blind Veterans UK.”

For more news visit the BBC North Wales website.

Guest Blog by Ian Venner: My 100km Walk

About Me

I used to be fit, I mean really fit. I played rugby for every school I went to from the age of 11 and my University and then a local club. I also played American football for Manchester and was a big gym user. I qualified as a NABBA body building coach and have been training partner and helped prepare many local, regional and national level body builders. The ‘old me’ is below.

Ian Venner 3

I got married, had two wonderful kids slowly stopped going to the gym. Over a period of 15-20 years I got massively overweight and lost any and all of the muscle and tone I formerly had. The photo below is me with still about 1.5 stone to add in for good measure.

Ian Venner 2

It all came to a head when coming back from a business trip when I couldn’t bend down far enough to tie up my laces. This was the moment when it was time to do something. I started off at MuscleWorks Gym in Bethnal Green, and adjusted my eating. The weight started falling off, and I then started including weights back in again, and good weight started to come back. I was 17.5 stone and had 38% body fat. I am now 15.1 stone and down to 17% body fat. I have lost 15Kg of ‘weight’, 26Kg of ‘fat’ and gained 11Kg of muscle. My goal is 12% body fat with a little more muscle, which I should have in the next six months.

The Blind Veterans UK 100km Walk

Towards the end of March I saw an advert on Blind Veterans UK Facebook asking if I was tough enough. Something made me click on it and in a moment of complete lunacy I signed up for the 100Km London to Brighton walk. Basically I needed something to show myself the journey I had come on. You don’t tend to see the small changes in yourself, so something like this I know I couldn’t have done 2 years ago; in fact I would have struggled with any of the training.

This is me now – taken 2 weeks ago for a photo-shoot for my new gym – GymBox Farringdon, as one of their most inspirational members.

Ian Venner 1

Kit

Before I started walking I decided I needed to sort out the correct kit to get used to it for walking in, prior to the big day in June. I have gone for the following:

Merrell Refuge Pro

Ian 1

Super comfortable from day one, and tough enough for the walk.

Socks

I am now using two pairs of socks, one inner and a dual-outer.

Injinji Toe Socks

Ian 2

These stop blisters between the toes and work brilliantly. I added these after suffering bad blisters between the last two toes on my left foot. These stopped them.

1000-Mile socks

Ian 3

Technically 1000-mile socks are two pairs in one. An outer and inner, and these stop conventional rubbing blisters, in fact they guarantee this. However I need the Injinjis as well to stop the between toes type. Together they are superb and Sunday’s 8 hour walk was a breeze.

Bear Grylls technical T-Shirt by Craghoppers

Ian 4

Used this for the first time on eth 8-hour training walk – genuinely superb.

Regatta Thompson Lightweight fleece

Ian 5

This in combination with the Bear Grylls t-shirt was warm at 0 degrees, and at 4 degrees had to just walk in the t-shirt only.

Trousers are to be decided – currently walking on track suit pants with lycra under armour shorts underneath to stop my legs rubbing together. I have bought a pair of proper walking trousers, with removable legs in case it gets too hot. Although whether I’ll inflict my legs on the rest of the walkers is debateable.

Training

As I am getting quite fit, I decided to push myself a little and chose to follow the intermediate training plan. The weekday walks are really easy as I have been walking further than these 4-5 days a week for the last 18 months, so they are covered in the normal training routine.

The weekend walks have been tough – but not ridiculously so. First weekend on the program was 2 x 4 hour walks, one Saturday and one Sunday. I covered 25Km on both with no real issue – realised though that pacing was a bit fast to be kept up long term. Both walks were OK; I ached a bit after them, but nothing too bad. I also developed a couple of blisters on my inner lower heel. I am describing these as compression blisters, as I believe a piece of hard skin on the base of my heel – is a different shape to the inside of my trainers, so have now taken to pumicing my heels the night before walking and seems to work great.

The second weekend was a 6 hour walk, I covered some 35Km – over 1/3 of the final distance. The compression blisters were nowhere to be seen, however I developed quite a large one on my left little where it had rubbed against the next toe. I researched and found some ‘toe’ socks made by a company called Injinji, designed originally to be used in the Vibram 5 finger toe trainers, but lauded by walkers as a great liner for stopping just these blisters. So I used them as liners for my 1000-mile socks on the 8-hour walk over the weekend and have to report were a complete success.

As already mentioned this last weekend was an 8 hour walk, which was a little daunting as is basically a working day spent walking (gulp). However when it came down to it was actually fine. I covered 43Km – about 500 yards more than the London Marathon, and a good slice of the final distance we have to walk on the day. No real aches or pains to speak of, in fact walked in to work today from the station – 4.5Km, and was no problem at all.

Photos From Training Walks

When I am walking I take various photos of the mere I use as a circuit – a mere is a lake fed by run off water, not by a river! So now you know. Here is a selection from the last 3 weeks. All untouched by photoshop and taken with a Sony Xperia smartphone.

For more training tips and updates about Ian’s challenge, follow his blog ‘My 100k Walk’.

If you’re inspired by Ian’s motivation and determination to train and take on the Blind Veterans UK 100km walk, you can sign up too! Visit the walk 100km website. The event takes place June 22-23 and is in aid of Blind Veterans UK.

Up and Coming 75th Anniversary Events

Up and Coming Events

To celebrate 75 years at our Brighton building we have a number of events coming up. Make a note of the dates in your diary!

Exhibition of Photographs / Audio Tour of exhibition / Private View

When: Private View Fri 3rd May. Exhibition open to public 4/5, 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 May

Where: The Chapel

We are delighted to open up our 1930′s Chapel to everyone. Please come along and view a wonderful showcase of memorabilia from nostalgic photographs to an exciting array of items which will give you a real sense and understanding of our member’s time here and how our buildings have been developed over the years, with professional photographs by photographer Darren Baldwin.

Light up building

When: 24th, 25th and 26th October

Where: Exterior of building

Join us for this spectacular display of blue, red and white lights shining on the Brighton building. Also, Spotlights with custom stencils will project ’75 Years in Brighton’ on the front of the building.

‘Get to know’ Brighton

When: Ongoing

Where: Notice boards, blog, lift, HR corridor

Look out on a notice board or lift in the Brighton building for insights into the people that make this building what it is!

Staff Choir

When: August & October

Where: Military Themed Dinner

We are putting together a staff choir which will sing at the Military themed dinner in October. The choir will welcome members from our beneficiaries, staff and volunteers.

Military Themed Dinner Dance

When: Saturday 26th October

Where: Brighton Lounge & Dining Room

This black tie dinner dance will have a vast array of entertainment on offer – live music, local musicians, cadets, military drummers and pipe players, silent auctions, games, raffles and we will even be auctioning off some wonderful members art work specially commissioned for this event.

Heritage Open Day

When: To be confirmed

Where: Brighton centre and Chapel

Heritage Open Days are a national inclusive event, encouraging different interpretations of heritage and culture around the country. We will host tours, have volunteer stewards on site answering visitor questions.

Photography Exhibition in Brighton

To celebrate 75 years at our centre in Ovingdean Brighton, we’re holding a photography exhibition at our 1930′s Chapel which is open to the public, with photography from Darren Baldwin and archive images from the past 75 years.

One of the photographs in the exhibition taken by Darren Baldwin.

Blind Veterans UK have been in Brighton for 75 years! Come and celebrate this milestone with us at our centre in Ovingdean, Brighton. We are delighted to open up our 1930′s Chapel to everyone. Please come along and view a wonderful showcase of memorabilia from nostalgic photographs to an exciting array of items which will give you a real sense and understanding of our member’s time here and how our buildings have been developed over the years.

We are fortunate to have had a truly inspirational photographer in Darren Baldwin working alongside the Blind Veterans project team. His prints expertly draw the viewer in and capture the ‘feeling’ of this unusual, interesting and magical building. All of us at Blind Veterans UK look forward to welcoming you.

Another of the exhibition photographs – The front entrance of the Blind Veterans UK Brighton centre.

The images alongside these recent prints by Darren are from our archives. They are truly captivating, charting the history of the building, the people who have travelled through, the VIP’s and the moving tales of how being a member of Blind Veterans UK (St Dunstans since 1915) has affected lives, demonstrating how the charity has made living an independent life possible (not to mention having a lot of fun!).

The construction of the Blind Veterans UK Brighton centre.

Visitors will be invited to try out audio tours that will help them explore the idea of what it is like visiting an exhibition when visually impaired. The charity is also seeking to highlight the importance of access to the arts activities for all visually impaired people and encouraging their engagement with the arts.

You can find out more about our Photography Exhibition on the Artist’s Open House website and find out about more Brighton events on the Brighton Fringe Festival website.

When:

Days open:4th,5th,11th,12th,18th,19th,25th,26th May 2013

Opening hours: 10.00 – 16.00

FREE entry

Where:

Blind Veterans UK, 1930′s Chapel, Greenways, Ovingdean, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 7BS

Contact:

Esther Freeman Art & Craft Manager: esther.freeman@blindveterans.org.uk or call 01273 391464

Thea Davies presented with dolphin sculpture by Dave Thomas

A couple of months ago we featured some of the work of blind veteran Dave Thomas on our Facebook page. One of our fundraisers, Thea Davies, who is running 415 miles for Blind Veterans UK, spotted the work and asked if any pieces were available to purchase.

Dolphin sculpture by blind veteran Dave Thomas

Kindly, Dave Thomas agreed to craft a special sculpture for Thea to thank her for all her fundraising efforts. Dave spent the last two months hand crafting this dolphin, which he presented to her as a surprise the day before the Brighton Marathon, which is the second of Thea’s five marathons in five weeks.

The dolpin in progress

Dave making the dolphin with volunteer Hattie in the Blind Veterans UK Brighton art & craft room.

Thea visited the Brighton centre with her parents and were given a tour of the centre by Liz Baddily, a volunteer at Blind Veterans UK.

Thea Davies with the dolphin sculpture

Thea said: “This amazing gift was presented to me earlier whilst I visited the Blind Veterans UK centre in Brighton earlier today. Dave is 77 years of age and
completely blind. He made this dolphin out of lime wood for me after I
admired his work a few months ago! It’s amazing to think that the money I raise helps to fund the centre which allows visually impaired service men and women to learn new skills and have the opportunity to carry out hobbies in a very well supportive environment!”

Thea and her Mum being presented with the dolphin sculpture by Dave

Thea is running 415 miles from October 2012 until October 2013 in memory of her partner Captain Stephen Healey who was killed in Afghanistan in May 2012. She is raising money for Blind Veterans UK as it was a charity Stephen fundraised for in the past.

You can find out more about Thea’s challenge by visiting her 415 mile challenge page or her Facebook page. You can support her by visitng her Just Giving page.