Branch News

June 2010

The North West Movers and Shakers

Hi Folks it’s your North West and Liverpool roving reporter Dixie Dean to tell it like it is for the Group.

The A.G.M. was held and the incumbent officers were again elected to serve for another term with a loud vote of thanks for everything that had gone before. The  formalities  over  it was time to get to down to the really important  topics and that was of course  how we were to enjoy each  other’s  company  during the next 12 months!

The first topic was the annual day out and it was decided to invade Llangollen in June with much merriment and plenty of eating and drinking. Old tired eyes began to twinkle and creaky joints and limbs were almost immediately forgotten! June could not come quickly enough. 

Another proposed activity for later in the year was a day of total inactivity and it was loosely christened a (PAMPER DAY) with the older males or (silver backs) of the group fighting for position at the top of the list. They had to be repeatedly told that “blonde, auburn or dark haired preferences didn’t have any substance in medicine but the ‘management’ would attempt to cater for all needs but only those of a medical nature. Another red letter day to look forward to! Many other ideas were thrown into the melting pot for consideration later and one that figured prominently was the Christmas meal together.

After all these ideas were discussed it was a pleasure to meet and greet Ian,  a new member to the group. I did try to explain that the group wasn’t suffering from insanity but we merely enjoyed each other’s company with jokes and leg pulling the order of the day. It was a chance to relax, not feel self conscious of our difficulties, and enjoy the moment, company and comradeship that always seems to happen when we get together. Perhaps that is why we are called “MOVERS AND SHAKERS”.

If anybody out there feels that they would enjoy joining in the fun, enjoyment and of course benefitting from the support, then do come along and have a look at us on the first Wednesday of the month.

March 2010

Liverpool and North West Tremor Support Group

Anthony (Dixie) Dean, roving reporter of the North West Group reports on the latest scandal and gossip (including one or two facts) about what has been happening in the North West Group.

“Yet again the group enjoyed a happy and relaxing meeting in December where the raffle and bingo prizes were in abundance, and virtually everyone took home prize money or a bottle of something to help the Christmas holiday start with a bang. A buzz of concern quickly spread when a steward’s enquiry was threatened because one of the ‘draws’ was won by the organiser. However calm was quickly restored when it was established that the organiser had two close relatives who were only referred to as ‘Ronnie and Reggie!

Before everyone went on their merry way (some were a little merrier then others and promises were made that clothing would not be removed in the future) a sumptuous, tasty and varied buffet was consumed with more than enough to satisfy everyone’s appetite.  I didn’t realise so many of our members were dog lovers (doggie bags were not available).  The meeting broke up in the late afternoon with Merry Christmas ringing in our ears and a firm arrangement was made to meet up on 6th January when headache and sickness remedies would be exchanged or resolutions made.

Christmas came and went and shortly afterwards I received a telephone call from Joan our much revered and feared Obergruppen Fuhrer telling me that polar bears had been sighted in the London Road and parking sleighs and huskies at the Neuro Centre would not be allowed resulting in the January meeting being cancelled.  The ten inches of snow didn’t help either. We all soldiered on living with the disappointment, but looking forward to the first Wednesday in February when we would again hear ‘eyes down for a full house.’  

February duly arrived and a shortened meeting focussed on the venue for our next day out.  No definite plans were made, but the Lake District or a river cruise was front running. We all headed for a Chinese restaurant serving ‘all you can eat’ buffet lunches even though the journey was made in freezing blizzard conditions. All this added to a totally different day where three, four or even six courses were enjoyed in the pleasant company of friends and problems and difficulties were briefly forgotten.’

I would like to finish this article on a more sober and serious theme.  If there is anyone out there who has ‘tremor’ difficulties then they would be most welcome at our group.  We meet on the first Wednesday of the month for a loosely structured informal gathering where help and information, both casual and specialised can be obtained. 

It is an opportunity to spend a few hours amongst friends who share similar problems and difficulties and where any embarrassment or wrong perceptions are left behind so that all can enjoy a good day, a meal out, drink and lively chatter.”