The South & West Cornwall Branch of The MS Society December 2013 Magazine "The Lifeboat"

January 2014

The Lifeboat

May your hopes, dreams and wishes come true in 2014

South & West Cornwall Branch Monthly Magazine

Cover picture This months cover picture gave me a problem, I designed two covers and couldn’t decide which one to use so I have shown the other option here on the left.

I wanted to create a picture of fantasy so that we could imagine the realisation of our hopes and dreams for the future but as usual I drifted from the subject slightly.

Its looking at so many beautiful pictures and then trying to choose just one, its impossible.

MS News Page 3

Researchers discovers small DNA differences in people with MS TB vaccine’s potential to reduce MS activity investigated

Page 4 NICE confirms new oral treatment for MS on NHS Celebrities and artists back MS Society’s online auction Page 5 I remember the cheese of my childhood, Thought of the month Page 6 November Carers Christmas lunch South & West Cornwall branch Christmas lunch Page 7 Read-A-Thon news.

Schools Awareness DVD Page 8 Sunshine and Showers TRURO Mr & Mrs Chapman at the Hall for Cornwall Page 9/10 Quiz page 1

at Inside the Lifebo this month Page 11 Laona’s page Page 12 December carers lunch at the Victoria Inn Threemilestone Page 13 19th January—Meeting at the Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives Pre Valentine 1940’s night Page 14 cabaret evening Page 15 Rabbit stew Sweet revenge Page 16 Youth group Page 17 Young MS and Friends Page 18 Events Page 19 Information page

Chairman’s Report Hi Everyone, With Christmas out of the way I expect like me you make new year resolutions which don't last very long.

This month is an important month for the new members from the West Cornwall area who have joined us. Together we can and will allow all our members to enjoy all the benefits of being in our branch irrespective of where you live.

I would like to remind you that my wife Lindsay enjoys the extra care that a 'Personalized Budget' can offer , over the packages some of you have, when you are serviced by an agency. When Lin and I used to use an agency we had twelve and a half hours a week at a cost to the council

of over £2000 a month. With the same figure, we are now able to enjoy employing four Personal Assistants who together give us in excess of fifty hours a week.

The running of the scheme is not an onerous one because we use Disability Cornwall to do all the paper work. This they do for a charge of £30.00 a month.

Should anyone want to know more. please get in touch and I will certainly help and advice you.

Finally don't forget the Annual General Meeting of which details can be found in the magazine .

One last thing , I am still trying to find a recipe for Rabbit pie. So watch out Jasper!

Mike Editors Note

Hello Everyone The start of the year is always an exciting time, looking forward to new developments.

This new year is no exception with all our activities taking place and new ventures over the horizon.

The transfer of members from West Cornwall will bring new challenges both in the supply of services and the financial implications of 60 or more new members who will need our services in the far west.

I am hoping that the meeting on the 19th January will be well attended so that we can start to develop services that meet the needs of our members in a way that is practical and cost effective. It is also important that we put in place the correct management procedures in order to maintain continuity and standards, so I would urge you to attend on the 19th.

More good news is the new member of the Young MS and Friends Group, Laura Ward who I am sure will make a valuable contribution.

More activities this year with the 1940’s night on the 1st February and the Cabaret on the 1st of March, not forgetting the now monthly carers lunch being held in different parts of the county.

If you are 18—35 you can join the Young MS and Friends Group on the 31st January, all these events are in this month edition.

I must thank all those who came to the Christmas lunch, it was so good to actually see the people that we communicate with.

As always with editors notes I seem to run out of space so I may have a page in next months Lifeboat so that I can talk more about the future and the ideas for the branch.

Max Bridges and Mike May are working on our new website so watch this space!

Happy new year, Malcolm 2

News from the MS National Centre Researchers discovers small DNA differences in people with MS This week, researchers in New York have published the results of a project studying small structural DNA changes (termed ‘modifications’) in the brains of people with MS. They discovered subtle differences in DNA modifications in the brains of people with MS compared to the brains of people without MS. This means there can be differences in the activity level of certain genes in people with MS. Differences in myelin-making cells Genes that help myelin-making cells (oligodendrocytes) survive were found to have different modifications and appeared less active in the brains of people who have MS. Clues to MS cause We already know that the environment can affect or modify our genes. These small differences in DNA modifications could lead to clues about how the environment might interact with genes to influence the likelihood of someone developing MS. This research was published in Nature Neuroscience and conducted by researchers in New York using samples from MS Society Tissue Bank.

Dr Susan Kohlhaas, Head of Biomedical Research at the MS Society, said: “Understanding more about changes to

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molecules in the brain in MS is important to help us learn more about the underlying cause, and to find ways to treat or one day even prevent the condition.

“This is the first study to find differences in DNA modifications in people with MS, and we are delighted that samples from the MS Society Tissue Bank contributed to making it possible. We look forward to seeing further developments in this new area of MS research.”

TB vaccine’s potential to reduce MS activity investigated A small study, published this week in the journal Neurology, has demonstrated the successful use of a vaccination to reduce MS activity in people who had experienced a first MS-like attack.

Researchers studied MRI scans and found a reduction in MS activity (lesions appearing on an MRI scan) in people who were given the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination compared to people who were given a placebovaccination. The BCG vaccination can be given to people in the UK at risk of tuberculosis.

This reduction in MRI activity (which is known to correlate with relapse rate) indicates that the vaccination could delay the onset of being diagnosed with MS. The study Researchers in Italy studied 73 people who had experienced a first MS-like attack (also known as clinically isolated syndrome; CIS).

At the start of the trial, participants were given either a vaccination (33 people) or a placebo (40 people), and monitored for six months with monthly MRI scans.

The participants were then all given beta-interferon for a further year, before taking whichever disease-modifying treatment they decided on with theirneurologist. After this, they were studied for up to five years.

Validation needed Dr Susan Kohlhaas, head of biomedical

research at the MS Society said: “It’s really encouraging to see positive results from this small trial, but they’ll need validating in larger and longer-term studies before we know if the BCG vaccination can reduce the risk of someone developing MS. “Ultimately, the chance to take a safe and effective preventative treatment after a first MS-like attack would be a huge step forward.”

NICE confirms new oral treatment for MS on NHS NICE have confirmed Aubagio (aka teriflunomide) should be prescribed on the NHS in England and Wales as a ‘first line therapy’ for people withrelapsing remitting MS. It's a reversal from the previous decision given by the health advisory body in September, which the MS Society campaigned against.

Freely available on NHS The decision means that the drug should soon be freely prescribed to anyone who might benefit and is considered an alternative to beta-interferontreatments.

NICE have not recommended the treatment for those with highly active or rapidly evolving relapsing remitting MS (for whom other treatments are available).

Aubagio is a daily pill and only the second oral therapy to be confirmed for use on the NHS, after Gilenya, but the first to be offered to patients as a first treatment option.

Our view Nick Rijke, Director for Policy & Research at the MS Society, said: “This is very good news for people with relapsing forms of MS. 90% of people with MS want an alternative to treatments by regular injection and now, at last, there is a first line treatment option available. Teriflunomide offers a similar treatment effect to the current injectable therapies, but for many people will be much easier to live with because it's a pill.”

Available from 2014

In line with normal NICE procedure this decision is now open to appeal. But if there are no setbacks, then from around April 2014 hospitals and NHS Trusts will be legally obliged to prescribe Aubagio to all patients who choose to take it and are deemed eligible by a neurologist.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium and Northern Ireland’s drugs regulatory bodies will consider the treatment separately for patients there.

Celebrities and artists back MS Society’s online auction To mark the MS Society’s 60th birthday, celebrities and artists have been designing unique cards for the MS Society to auction on eBay. The money raised will fund research. Famous names supporting ‘Cards for a Cause’ include Sir Roger Moore, Jamie Oliver, Olympic Gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Richard E Grant, Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville, Janis Winehouse, Alan Shearer, Sir Chris Hoy, Lorraine Kelly, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, author Sophie Kinsella, Oritsé Williams from JLS and Holly Johnson from Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

You can bid for the cards by visiting eBay from 2 December: www.ebay.co.uk/usr/mssocietyuk Raise money and awareness The auction launches on eBay on Monday 2 December, the date of the MS Society’s 60th anniversary, and will be live for 10 days.

The aim is to raise money and awareness in the charity’s 60th year. All the money will be spent on the MS Society’s pioneering research programme.

Incredibly grateful Michelle Mitchell is the Chief Executive of the MS Society: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the celebrities and famous names who’ve taken the time to design a card for the MS Society’s Cards for a Cause auction.

“Every penny raised will go towards our 4 innovative research programme.

Sent in by Judy Reed I remember the cheese of my childhood, And the bread that we cut with a knife, When the children helped with the housework, and the man went to work not the wife.

The cheese never needed a fridge, and the bread was so crusty and hot.

The children were seldom unhappy and the wife was content with her lot.

I remember the milk from the bottle, with the yummy cream on the top.

Our dinner came hot from the oven, and not from the fridge; in the shop.

The kids were a lot more contented, they didn't need money for kicks, Just a game with their mates in the road, and sometimes the Saturday flicks.

I remember the shop on the corner, Where a pen'orth of sweets was sold.

Do you think I'm a bit too nostalgic?

Or is it....I'm just getting old?

I remember the 'loo' was the lav, and the bogy man came in the night, It wasn't the least bit funny going "out back" with no light.

The interesting items we perused, from the newspapers cut into squares, and hung on a peg in the loo, It took little to keep us amused.

The clothes were boiled in the copper, with plenty of rich foamy suds.

But the ironing seemed never ending as Mum pressed everyone's 'duds'.

I remember the slap on my backside, and the taste of soap if I swore Anorexia and diets weren't heard of and we hadn't much choice what we wore.

Do you think that bruised our ego?

Or our initiative was destroyed?

We ate what was put on the table And I think life was better enjoyed.

Judy Reed

Thought of the month January 2014 Christmas 2013 is gone. I hope you managed to rest after all the effort you put into it! It’s over for now and we are all looking forward to the New Year. At least I am and I do hope you are – let’s start 2014 full of optimism that the world will be a better place by next Christmas.

Resolutions? Let’s not talk about them today. Perhaps in a couple of weeks when they are forgotten and we can laugh about the big plans for a slimmer, fitter body we envisaged, and just enjoy that box of chocolates we tried to hide at the back of the cupboard. You know you will only find it again when you start the spring cleaning, don’t you! There’s a thought, spring cleaning – no, let’s not think about that yet – plenty of time for that.

Later this year will see the centenary of the start of WW1 , or ‘The Great War’ as it was originally thought of. I don’t expect there were many who could have imagined there would be another world war so soon.

Although there are some centenarians who would have been children at that first awful time, we will probably have to rely on the memories they can recall from what they have been told, and I’m sure there will be parades up and down the country to commemorate the occasion. We really must never forget.

I’ll sign off with this thought, just wishing you a happy New Year, with a prayer for peace not only around the world but in every household this Lifeboat enters and thanking you for reading these ramblings month by month.

Ros

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November Carers Christmas lunch Carers Christmas lunch at the Falmouth Hotel The carers enjoyed their Christmas lunch but I heard that there were no spouts!!

South & West Cornwall branch Christmas lunch The branch Christmas lunch was hosted by the Membly Hall Hotel, Falmouth.

The lunch was very well attended with over 80 people enjoyed their Christmas meal, of course father Christmas was there again this year.

We compliment the chef and thank the staff for a lovely time.

We look forward to next year

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Read-A-Thon news The November Read-A-Thon has now finished and we are waiting for the results to come in this month but all indications are that more have taken part in each school participating in this round.

I can’t thank the schools enough for their unbelievable co-operation. When the final results are in I will publish them in our magazine Schools Awareness DVD

These are most of the students working on the Schools Awareness DVD. Mike May and I have been filming for some time now and hope to be finished by the end of January

The DVD is about bringing awareness to schools with regard to MS and how people are affected by the condition.

Our thanks go to Cape Cornwall School who have had us trampling over their library for several weeks now Read-A-Thon DVD Our next DVD is related to the MS Read-A-Thon, and we look forward to working with these student again.

We thank them for their input although there were more out takes than wraps they are really doing well.

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Cape Cornwall School news desk Our thanks also go to Mrs Megan Nelhams the school librarian (seen in the picture above left) for her support and commitment, not forgetting Emily Hill and Julie Nash Head Teacher for without them the project would not be possible.

I will keep you informed of progress.

Sunshine and Showers TRURO Self help support group for Service users and Carers are re launching on the16th January on Thursdays from 1:30 - 3:30 then every other Thursday.

We go ten pin bowling at Truro Bowling alley, there is parking for disabled and our group is open to Carers as well who may benefit from a fun afternoon out within the community.

We are a mixed group of adults who mostly suffer from some kind of chronic long term mental or physical illness and we all support each other to help each other in this difficult time of cuts to the NHS and services.

The group is run by members and volunteers and we all chip in to make sure everyone has a nice time. We recently also got nominated for an award for "Best Community Activity" by the Voluntary Services Forum.

We also had a lovely write up by time to change and here is the link for anyone who would like more info on Sunshine and Showers: www.time-to change.org.uk/champions/peer-supporttruro We would like to grow our support group and from it hope that people will be able to form friendships and gain support from people within the community who are also feeling the NHS cuts to services.

We have been running 18 months now and have 3 full time volunteers, one gentleman who had a stroke, myself who has Fibromyalgia / Suspected MS and our Treasurer is also disabled so we are very empathic to the situations our members face.

We can also sign post and offer a lending ear should a person need a little encouragement with the bowling. Or they can just come along for a cup of tea !!

Claire Jones Founder / Volunteer Group Leader Sunshine & Showers (SAS) Mental Health Cornwall www.sunshineandshowers.co.uk Facebook: Sunshine and Showers Positive Mental Health Mr & Mrs Chapman at the Hall for Cornwall

Richard and Amanda Chapman ran a stall at the Hall for Cornwall in aid of the South & West Cornwall branch, we thank them for their fund raising effort through 2013.

May they keep up the good work!

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December Quiz answers

January quiz This quiz is all about animals

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

I saw mummy kissing Santa Claus The First Noel Away in a manger Rudolf Walking in a Winter Wonderland Blue Christmas Calypso Carol Once in Royal David’s City

1 What is the name of the bushy fur around a male lions neck?

2 Why do zebras have stripes 3 Which monkey has been known to use stones and sticks as tools?

4 What is a Philippine spotted deer also named?

5 What frog family is the Trinidad stream frog a member of?

6 What is the name for a family of meerkats?

7 What sound does an otter make?

8 How long is a kinkajou's tongue?

Can you spot the 12 differences

Money Boxes Target £2,000.00 Actual to date £950

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Happy birthday to: 2nd Mrs J Revell Christopher Smith 4th Cynthia Shrubb Nicola Stevens 15th Joy Rushton 19th Allen Sargent 25th Betty Alderton 28th Ellen May

Across 1 Hoodwink (4) 3 Helicopters, colloquially (8) 9 Endurance (7) 10 Bognor ___ (5) 11 Precipitous (5) 12 Make sorrowful (6) 14 Natural tooth covering (6) 16 Haphazard (6) 19 In-crowd (6) 21 Call upon (5) 24 Male honey-bee (5) 25 Assassinated US president (7) 26 Imperil (8) 27 Conspiracy (4)

January crossword

Down 1 Catastrophe (8) 2 Situation (5) 4 Ashore (anag.) (6) 5 Trimmed, peeled (5) 6 Intellectual (7) 7 Cummerbund (4) 8 Uncomplicated (6) 13 Violet gemstone (8) 15 Taking everything into account (3,4) 17 Period before Christmas (6) 18 Harass a speaker (6) 20 Female ruler (5) 22 Take unlawfully (5) 23 Tool used to cut and shape wood (4)

Answers to December crossword

What’s this mystery object?

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Laona’s page

Luckily those thoughts and feelings have run their course, yes I have the odd blip but mostly I am focused on today and that is how I want it to be and how it should be, enjoying, appreciating and making the most of the now with my Husband, whose love and constant support has got me here and my family and friends.

So now you have said goodbye to 2013 and welcomed in 2014, take time now and again to celebrate the now with those who mean the most. For me when I want to celebrate I want to cook and I want it to So it is 2014. The post Christmas be something special, it doesn't have to slump has been and gone, the feelings of be a culinary masterpiece, it just has to be guilt over all the excess are all but forgotten delicious!. So maybe I can tempt you with a and New Year resolutions are yet to be course from my winter celebration dinner, a broken. But before 2013 is a distant venison, apricot and pickled walnut memory and plans for 2014 get under way, casserole, easy to double up, prepare in I think there is something more important to advance and reheat on the day and do. As the end of the year approached I definitely delicious !. found myself reflecting on all that has Who knows what the future holds but I wish happened in the past year and how one you all a Happy and Healthier 2014 !. year can change not just your life but your Venison, apricot and pickled walnut whole perspective. After all the fear, anger, casserole despair and grief of diagnosis I sit here and 1 kg diced venison realise that my life now in many ways is 100g pancetta, optional better. MS is life changing but something 1 x jar pickled walnuts, drained and halved life changing can give you a special sort of 100g dried apricots strength, even though at times I felt I was 2 onions, diced barely holding it together. It also gives you 3 cloves garlic, crushed purpose and clarity. It has the incredible 300g shallots, peeled and left whole ability to ground and define.

I am definitely not the person I was, in more 375ml red wine 75 ml port ways than one, although I seem to have retained all of my annoying traits!. No, I am 1/2 chicken stock cube 2 tsp tomato puree now more focused, more settled and in 2 sprigs thyme many ways happier. I feel like I have finally found myself and what is really important to 2 bay leaves 2 strips orange peel me, I feel a sense of completeness that 2 tbsp chopped parsley wasn't there before. Yes at the beginning I 1tbsp cornflour mostly felt like a ticking time bomb, 4 tbsp olive oil envisaging a restricted and gloomy future black pepper full of all the worst case scenarios, ready to throw sensibility and caution aside in fear Oven 150C/300F/gas 2 Serves 5 - 6 of a future where I was no longer able or capable, better do it now before it's too late !.

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Heat 1 tbsp of oil until very hot in a large Sent in by Susan Creese pan and brown half of the venison, transfer Nothing moves me anymore to a casserole dish and repeat with the (only cardboard boxes) remaining meat.

A blue moment feeling my guitar sing Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan hot—rod wheels sail in the summer breeze sea A Persian cat in a blue coat of arms-howl’in and fry the pancetta, if using. Remove with music talk and music swing mister music man a slotted spoon and transfer to the the streets where people sleep in casserole. Add the shallots to the pan and cardboard boxes cook over a medium/high heat until they colour and add to the meat along with the A wind wood forest with pink paper blues apricots, thyme, bay leaves and orange microphone sound in an elephant cry black panther gold fish bowl experience peel. red rambling ram jam streets with pea green soup Heat the remaining oil and gently fry the the streets where people sleep in onions until they soften, add the garlic and cardboard boxes cook for a couple of minutes more. Stir in the cornflour and cook for a minute Father and daughter in a blue sock sucking on then add the red wine, tomato puree and ambrose and custard ice cream whizz...with black flamingo rhubarb and blueberry pie crumble in the stock cube. Bring to the boil, tangerine marshmallows eating marmalade people stirring continuously until the sauce has the streets where people sleep in thickened. If the sauce seems a little too cardboard boxes thick add a drop more wine or water, season with some black pepper, then pour Howl’in wolves cry in bring on back the blues into the casserole and mix well. where a fat cat sat on a pink crescent moon talking in his head, your soul goes with you Place a damp piece of baking parchment a rainbow bridge where people never cry.. over the meat before covering with a lid. the streets where people sleep in Cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes, remove cardboard boxes from the oven and stir in the port and pickled walnuts. Return to the oven and Susan Creese cook for another 45 minutes, or until the meat is tender.

Garnish with some chopped parsley before serving.

December carers lunch at the Victoria Inn Threemilestone

The next carers lunch is on the 16th Jan. at the Premier Inn, Camborne which is on the Camborne West turn off from the A30 (also called the Trevithick Inn). Book now!

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19th January—Meeting at the Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives This meeting is to discuss the future services provided by the South & West Cornwall branch following the transfer of West Cornwall members to South Cornwall.

The Agenda: 12.00 Assemble 12.30 A light lunch 1.00 Presentation about South & West Cornwall branch.

1.30 Open forum: What services do our members want?

How can they be delivered?

How can we improve our services?

The Financial implications.

3.00 pm sum up If you wish to attend this meeting please call Malcolm 01209 860754 or email malcolmglister@btinternet.com The meeting is open to all members and carers, however a lack of response will result in cancellation and a missed opportunity to have your say in the future services provided by your branch.

Important notice It has been brought to our notice that vouchers have been issued and are being used for hydrotherapy in the west.

The Harbourside physiotherapy centre has not yet been authorised to accept these vouchers and until we have carried the necessary checks we cannot issue vouchers for this facility The object of the meeting on the 19th January is to discuss our requirements and services, then put the necessary management procedures in place.

I am hoping that we have resolved this problem before this issue goes to press.

Please attend the meeting so that we can take logical steps to provide the required services.

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Pre Valentine 1940’s night Yes! back by popular demand we are holding another 1940’s night on the 1st February 2014.

We want to fill the hall with a 1940’s atmosphere, lots of dancing, good company and a great time.

Dress up in your best 1940’s outfit and enjoy the evening.

Its only £5.00 which includes a pasty supper and there’s great music from the Fire ’n’ Ice 1940’s disco.

Call: 01209 860754 for tickets.

Information

A cabaret evening with The next Fire ‘n’ Ice Cabaret is on the 1st March 2014, and is being hosted by the Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives. The evening is open to all and will consist of a meal and entertainment. So ring your friends and get your tickets booked to avoid disappointment. Other branches are welcome to attend.

The Details : Date: To be held on a Saturday 1st March 2014.

Venue: Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives The Meal: Two course meal, Roast Beef with dessert (Vegetarian option).

Programme: 7.00 for 7.30 Meal Entertainment from 9.00pm till at least 11.00pm Entertainment: Fire ‘n’ Ice - popular Duo, plus a star guest Raffle in aid of MS plus Lucky ticket draw.

Total Price: Free for people with MS £5.00 for carers £10.00 for all others, All are welcome A special rate of £45.00 per person bed & breakfast is available, quote Fire ‘n’ Ice when booking.

If you wish to attend please complete the return slip below and send it with your remittance to:Malcolm Glister Whispering winds Crellow Hill, Stithians Nr Truro Cornwall TR3 7AQ Tel 01209 860754 Email: malcolmglister@btinternet.com Please make cheques and orders payable to MSS Society (do not send cash). You will receive confirmation of purchase and the tickets will be held on the door for you on arrival unless you state otherwise.

Your name and address (printed)

……………………………………………………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dietary requirements

………………………………………………………………………………………………...

I would like

tickets for the Fire ‘n’ Ice Cabaret on 1st March 2014

Please indicate number of wheel chair spaces required: - Number None

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Help!! somebody save me from the cooking pot

Rabbit stew

Method 1. Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Put the prunes in a bowl with the brandy and brown sugar, stir, then set aside to soak.

2. Dust the rabbit in the flour. Heat the oil in a large flameproof dish and brown the rabbit all over until golden – you may have to do this in batches. Set the rabbit aside.

Add the bacon, vegetables, garlic and herbs to the dish and fry for 5 mins until starting to colour.

3. Pour in the red wine and scrape all the goodness off the bottom of the dish. Add the chicken stock and put the rabbit back in the dish with the boozy prunes, then cover and cook for 2 hrs, stirring occasionally, until the rabbit is totally tender.

Serve scattered with parsley and wild rice on the side Sweet revenge

Ingredients • 140g prunes • 50ml brandy • 50g soft brown sugar • 2 rabbits, jointed • plain flour, for dusting • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 3 rashers smoked streaky bacon, sliced into thin strips • 2 carrots, chopped • 1 onion, chopped • 2 celery sticks, chopped • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 2 thyme sprigs • 1 bay leaf • 150ml red wine, the best you can afford • 250ml chicken stock chopped parsley and wild rice, to serve

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Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm looking tasty, I wonder if this is one of those Mike George descendants?

As Jasper is a friend of mine, here's the message.

Take Jasper out the pot or the budgie gets it.

Tune in next month to see if Jasper escapes the pot and the budgie flies away.

Meanwhile cook a different rabbit, doesn’t it look good.

South Cornwall branch MS Youth Group West “Making Sense” Well Christmas is now over and in the lead up, members of your MS youth group were all very busy with school plays, Jamie playing in a guitar ensemble in church and Ben playing with Pendeen Silver Band in their big Christmas concert.

Our youngest member Jack celebrated his 3rd birthday on December 21st and had a fantastic day. Belated birthday wishes Jack, from all members and Jasper!!!

Keep reading 'The Lifeboat', to find out what other adventures the youth group are up to. Jamie will be watching Premier League Darts again in March. Megan and Lauren will be off to Wembley in June to see One Direction with Megan’s mum Paula and Nikki (who will be taking ear plugs) and Ben has a week camping with his school.

We hope to arrange more fund raising events including a coffee morning and maybe another table top sale or craft fayre.

Your monthly Lifeboat will keep you informed.

Until next month, Megan, Jamie, Lauren, Ben, Jack, Anna, Nikki and even Jasper (who has taken time out from tea making) wish you all a Very Happy New Year!!!!

Nikki xx Thanks Lauren for your article on your trip to London, it must have been exciting.

Has anyone else out there been on a trip that we could hear about, why not write in to the editor and tell us about your school trips with lots of pictures if possible.

Or just give us a story about something you have done, we could run a competition. Do it Now!!

Jasper

My London trip On Wednesday the 6th of November at 6.00am I got on a train to go to London, It took 6 hours.

The train was a bit boring but we had some things to entertain us, when we got to London we went to our hotel rooms. We stayed in the Cardiff hotel, in rooms or 3 or 4. After we did some sight seeing and when we finished we went on the London eye.

The eye was very good we saw lots of nice sights and things.

Next we went to a restaurant called Garfunkel's. I had sausage mash and beans. When we had finished we went to watch Charlie and the chocolate factory. It was very good, my favourite was miketevee [luca Toomey] because he is a very good acrobat and gymnast, he is also a very good actor.

After the show we went back to the hotel.

The next morning after breakfast we went back to our rooms to get our stuff ready and played some games. We did some more sight seeing.

At about 2.00 we went to the house of parliaments. We went into the houses of commons and houses of lords and we got to meet Andrew George. He answered some of our questions. When he was younger he wanted to be a spaceman. After that we went to a restaurant called ask it was really nice. I had pepperoni pizza. When we had finished, it was time to get the train all the way home. I had a really great time!

Lauren

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Young MS and Friends Group

The Young MS & Friends group are developing their activities with a view to launching a programme of events in the new year.

We welcome the arrival of Laura Ward a new member, Laura is from Belfast and makes a great addition to the team.

A Young MS and friends social event for people aged between 18 and 35 has been arranged for Friday the 31st January 2014 at the Victoria Inn, Threemilestone, Nr Truro.

7.00 pm start, come and have a chat, something to eat and just chill out.

Call 07724205006 to book your place Look out for the posters and brochure to be launched in the new year Young MS and Friends Group At the Victoria Inn Are you aged between 18 and 35 The First social event held by the Young MS Group is to be held at the Victoria Inn, Threemilestone on the 31st January 2014.

7.00 pm arrival, the evening will be funded by the South & West Cornwall branch so if you fit the age group come and have a meal with the Young MS team and talk about what they can offer you and what you would like to see for young people with MS in Cornwall.

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My new project South & West Cornwall Branch events 2014 19th January—Members meeting at Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives 12.00 till 3.00pm 16th January—The next carers lunch at the Premier Inn, Camborne which is on the Camborne West turn off from the A30 (also called the Trevithick Inn). please, if you are going confirm with Karen on 01872 274188.

31st January—Young MS and Friends Group social event at the Victoria Inn Threemilestone

I’m opening a gym called, “resolutions”. It will have exercise equipment for the first two weeks and then turn into a bar for the rest of the year.

Anyone can join!!

Jasper Events taking place at Merlin MS Centre

1st February—1940’s night at Perranaworthal village hall

8th February—Annual Meeting at the Carnon Inn, Carnon downs Nr Truro

1st March—An evening with Fire ‘n’ Ice cabaret at the Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives

Sign up is open for the Grand Canyon TrekTrek- 10th-17th May 2014 Trek. Are you ready to experience the breath taking beauty of the Grand Canyon whilst raising money for the Merlin Ms Centre?

With a year to fundraising you have plenty of time to join us for this trek of a lifetime.

Contact the centre for more information 01726 885530.

Looking for collectors Merlin MS Centre are looking for willing and friendly volunteers to help with their Watch this space for future events, for more supermarket collection days throughout the information call Malcolm: 01209 860754 year and throughout the county. If you think you can spare an hour or two to help then All branches are welcome to attend South & please get in touch with the centre on West Cornwall events, we would be pleased 01726 885530. to see you.

Tel: 01726 885530

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South & West Cornwall Branch Information

Branch contact details: Whispering Winds Crellow Hill Stithians Nr Truro Cornwall TR3 7AQ Tel: 01872 274911 www.mssociety.org.uk/southcornwall Satellite events Last Monday of each month: Helston & Lizard Group meeting: Wheal Dream Restaurant, Helston from 11.00am to approx 2.00pm.

Lunch at discounted rate.

Every Thursday: Yoga at the Well Being Centre, Nance Lane, Churchtown, Illogan. 11.00am to 12.15pm. with Carolyn Smith by appointment only.

Every third Thursday of each month Carers meeting at Mike George’s Useful contacts: MS National Centre: 02084 380 700 MS Helpline: 0808 800 8000 Care Direct: 0800 444 000 NHS Direct: 0845 4647 Need help or advice, call our support number 01872 274911 Editors Contact details: details To send in articles or comments.

Malcolm Glister Whispering Winds, Crellow Hill, Stithians, Nr Truro, Cornwall, TR3 7AQ

Chairman: Mike George Telephone: 01872 862031 email: cornishmike@talktalk.net Treasurer: Hilary Merton Telephone: 01872 863896 email: hilarym.southcornwallmssociety@aol.co.uk Address: 7 Agar Meadows, Carnon Downs, Truro, TR3 6HS. Voucher Admin Officer: Christine Sargent Telephone: 01209 315386 email: christine.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Secretary: Richard Stevens Telephone: 01736 360551 email: stevens475@btinternet.com M S Support : Telephone: 01872 274911 Carer’s Officer: Karen Moore Telephone 01872 274188 Branch Profile manager and Magazine Editor: Malcolm Glister Telephone: 01209 860754 email: malcolmglister@btinternet.com Branch Web manager: Mike May Telephone: 01872 272 957 email: mikem.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Membership: Betty Alderton Telephone: 01872 270901 email: betty.southcornwallmssociety@live.co.uk Minute Secretary: Moe Fisher email: moefisher@hotmail.co.uk Branch Safety Officer and Youth Team: Nikki Jenkin Telephone: 01736 787089 email: nikkijenkin@googlemail.com Events CoCo-ordinator: Malcolm Glister Telephone: 01209 860754 email: malcolmglister@btinternet.com Fund Raising Officer: Marlene Stevens Telephone: 01736 360551 email: stevens475@btinternet.com Young MS & Friends Lauren & Alex ymsgsouthandwestcornwall@mail.com

All views expressed in this publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.

Multiple Sclerosis Society Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990 Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571