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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Regatta Thompson Lightweight fleece

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.

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.

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

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.

Kathryn Jones-Romain and Esther Freeman from the art & craft department at our Brighton centre collect their ‘Drawing Inspiration’ runners up award from Luke Gardiner, a Trustee of the Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust.

In October 2012, a large corridor in the Blind Veterans UK Rehabilitation Department was dedicated to The Big Draw. The range of tactile drawing techniques was accessible to everyone, both sighted and non-sighted, young and old. Drawing with wool fed through empty biro cases on large Velcro sheets created woolly line drawings. Colourful abstracts were made by wrapping wool around nails on a board. Sheets of paper inscribed with fine raised dots using a pouncing tool were wrapped around jam jars to make unique vases. The swimming pool window became a gallery for acetate cut-outs, some pre-cut, others made on the spot to respond to the unfolding narrative, and this has remained in place. Adding to a collective picture helped unite the organisation, and there are now plans for a permanent drawing space.

Commemorative certificate designed by Campaign Patron Sir Quentin Blake.

Luke Gardiner, a Trustee of the Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust, presented Blind Veterans UK with the Award and a commemorative certificate designed by Campaign Patron Sir Quentin Blake. The Campaign for Drawing selected The Physical line for the Runner up Award from over 1500 events that celebrated drawing throughout the UK, and in other parts of the world.

The Big Draw is an annual drawing bonanza, involving an estimated 200,000 people in inclusive creative activities. From 1- 31 October 2013, people from all walks of life will again join events across the UK, and internationally, in venues ranging from castles to shopping centres, national galleries to village halls, libraries to hospitals, universities to nature reserves. Their subjects and materials will be equally wide-ranging, spanning art, science and technology.

Sue Grayson Ford, Campaign Director, comments “The Big Draw is an open invitation to use drawing for learning, engagement and enjoyment. Blind Veterans UK superbly demonstrated The Big Draw’s aims of bringing people together, and engaging them creatively. I am amazed at how inspired organisers expand drawing’s boundaries, and bring vast amounts of enthusiasm and imagination to their events.”

To view pictures of the drawings created during The Big Draw visit the Blind Veterans UK Facebook page.

Blind Veterans UK photography group at the start of the week.

Photo by Eddie Taylor

Monday morning saw members participating bare the recent wintery weather and poor travel conditions start to arrive at the Sheffield centre in time for a late lunch, keen to take part and eager to start in the weeks activities. After lunch, during the initial introductions it became clear that many members of the group had varying photography experience with both young and old exchanging their knowledge, each having much to offer and share with the group and hoping to achieve different goals throughout the week.

Photo by Mark Pile

For some it was about taking part in the activities and improving their photographic skills, were as other members had personal goals they were aiming towards. After introductions were completed and each member had been given the opportunity to explain the type of camera they had chosen to bring along and what they were hoping to achieve during the week members took part in an in house exercise, capturing images of several different floral displays, whilst discussing and adjusting any camera settings and functions they were unsure of.

During the course of the afternoon members were shown opticular glasses by Kate and Paula (Rehabilitation Officer in Sheffield) explaining the way in which visual aids could help members not only when they need to adjust any in camera settings but also when they are using the LCD screen to capture images. Thereafter those members who were interested and it was felt would benefit from these visual aids were given the opportunity to have a 1 to 1 assessment to look at their requirements in more detail.

Photo by Olga Eagle

Tuesday morning began with a film, giving members an introduction to both the different aspects of light and its important role within photography along with composition of images using different techniques and rules before setting out after the morning break on their first field trip of the week to Chatsworth house, where the group were able to capture images of the abundant choice of exhibits and architectural details found within the rooms of the main building, adapting to the changes in the lighting conditions and surroundings as they went. On our return to the centre, once refreshed members were given the opportunity to review and discuss their images they’d captured so far before selecting their favourite image.

Photo by Pauline Dutton

Wednesday was spent in house with the group taking part in different aspects of portrait photography. Firstly as an insight listening to an enhanced audio book with pictures, before visiting photographer Luke Holroyd led a group discussion on portraiture and after taking into account the type of portraits members were looking to achieve in the future went on to set a number of exercises which would be taking place throughout the remainder of the morning and afternoon using both a natural light with a reflector and artificial lighting a flash and strobe light to enhance shadows in the face, when capturing portraits close to a window.

Photo by Peter Bartholemew

Members were able to look at capturing portraits from different angles and lighting capturing images of Lucy, a Photography student who had kindly agreed to model for the group. Each member had to overcome their varying degrees of sight loss when capturing portraits and finding a way which most suited them.

Thursday morning saw the group take part in an in house exercise capturing close up still life and floral images set within various displays. After morning break setting out on their second field trip of the week firstly to the Parish church of Our Lady and All Saints in Chesterfield, where the group started to capture images of the famous twisted spire and grounds before heading inside to take in and capture images of the many carvings, statues and bright colourful windows, adjusting to the lighting conditions as they went. Following this the group set off to Hardwick Hall a short drive away. After a short lunch break we set out to explore the grounds and main house, where despite the difficult lighting conditions the group still managed to produce some great images.

Photo by Edward (Ted) Lincoln

Friday seemed to come around very quickly leaving some members of the group asking themselves where the week had gone. The group took part in final discussions whilst final printing of their selected images was taking place giving their feedback on the exercises activities before exchanging contact details and having a fish and chip lunch.

Our thanks go to all of the staff at the Sheffield centre for their help, guidance and assistance during the week.

If you’re interested in taking part in the next photography week please get in touch with esther.freeman@blindveterans.org.uk. More photographs from the week can be viewed on the Blind Veterans UK Facebook page.

Callum Rolf ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at Blind Veterans UK

Callum spoke to us about his experience of volunteering at Blind Veterans UK and said: “I got involved with Blind Veterans UK just after I finished school – I was looking for a job and my mum suggested that I volunteered here to help me get employment. I enjoyed it so much, that I stayed on. I‘ve been volunteering with Blind Veterans UK for about two years now.

“I enjoy interacting with the members and the social side of it. It’s really good just talking to them. I come in evenings at the moment, and do the bingo on a Monday helping the staff. I sometimes do the quiz on a Friday evening as well when I can fit it in around my job.

“I have actually applied for a health and social course at college next year, because I want to try and get into care work now. Volunteering at Blind Veterans UK has actually helped me decide what I want to do as a career. It’s not something that I would have considered before, and it’s only in the last two years that I have discovered it.

“Now that I have turned 18, I’m able to look at different parts of Blind Veterans UK for volunteering such as Arts & Crafts, and accompanying the members out on day trips. I would really like to get involved with the acoustic rifle shooting, I’m in the Army Cadets and it’s the same type of rifle that I use on the ranges. I’ve been in the Cadets for 4 years, and will be leaving in July as I will be too old. I’ll then be joining the TA part time, that’s part of the reason Blind Veterans UK appealed to me, because of the Armed Forces connection.

“It helps having that Armed Forces connection with the members, knowing some of what they talk about, and I feel that I can relate to them a bit more. It’s one of the reasons that I am going to continue with the TA part-time.

“I would definitely recommend volunteering, it’s great experience. It’s helped my understanding of people with disabilities. I’ve always had a lot of respect for older people, but this has given me even more appreciation for them. It’s just great experience and it’s very inspirational.”

If you are interested in a volunteering with Blind Veterans UK please visit our website to view our current volunteering opportunities.

Our centre in Ovingdean, Brighton is the oldest of our three centers and celebrates it’s 75^th year in October 2013. This is why we have launched the 75 challenge which asks people, along with members and staff to get involved and do 75 things to raise money.

Terry is currently walking at a pace of 2mph so the challenge should take him 150 days to complete. 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.

We will keep you up to date with Terry’s challenge, but you can also take part yourself! The more inventive the challenge the better – From eating 75 baked beans with a cocktail stick or serving 75 cups of tea, we’d love you to take part.

To tell us about your challenge before it happens please email: 75challenges@blindveterans.org.uk.