Food for thought

Bees, biomes and Bollywood

Just some of the topics covered in Beccles NWR’s one day conference, A Celebration of Food.

Last autumn a Beccles member suggested we have a one day conference. We thought she was mad, but she is quietly very persuasive. So, easily influenced by promises of Prosecco, a small organising group convened. The result: like monarch butterflies emerging from prolonged hibernation, on 19 May over 50 wonderful NWR Members met at a fabulous country hotel in Hethersett to enjoy A Celebration of Food—and drink.

For many of us, after two years of lockdowns, shielding, Zoom meetings and social distancing, the thought of gathering together to have fun and get the little grey cells working again was both exciting and challenging.

Would people come out again? Would we find speakers? Where could we find a venue? So much had changed in those eventful yet non-event-filled years that it felt a bit daunting, but Beccles wanted to be the first to take the plunge into resuming the activities we had once taken for granted!

The day was a resounding success and we had some wonderful feedback from feisty and active NWR members from as far afield as Middlesbrough and Birmingham.

The day provided a wonderful mix of information about our gut biomes, the original meaning of a fire dog—pet lovers, don’t ask—how this country can produce some wonderful wine, why bees need us but we need them more, as well as poetry about food, and for the energetic the chance to work off a lovely lunch with Bollywood dancing!

And finally, we were all amazed and mesmerised by a (female) magician from the Magic Circle entertaining us with some truly magical tricks.

Then, after a wonderful day, it was time to say goodbye to old and new friends and celebrate the magic of NWR membership. So, here’s a challenge to other groups: let’s get out and wave the flag for like-minded, independent women again! Jenny Aspland Beccles NWR

Four legs good

Keyworth NWR have warmly welcomed their first fourlegged member in the form of Dylan, my assistance dog.

Dylan is qualified with Darwin Dogs, an organisation established to train assistance dogs to work with adults who have a diagnosed mental health condition and/or autism. The dogs are trained in the client’s home or safe place—they do not get taken away for training. This enables the dog to fully know and understand the person’s individual needs.

Dylan has been warmly welcomed by the group. He enjoys greeting people and saying hello to each person during the coffee break, but he sits quietly by my side through the main part of the meeting. I feel much more confident, far less stressed and am less likely to dissociate with Dylan by my side.

Darwin Dogs was named after the first dog trained for this role. Darwin was my first dog and Dylan is my first repeat client’s dog.

Once qualified the dog and owner have the right to access education, employment, housing, transport and services under the Equality Act 2010. This ensures the benefits the dog is giving the person can continue wherever they need to be, in the home, at work and during leisure activities.

Having an assistance dog makes a huge difference: clients go from feeling they are a burden to family to feeling more confident and independent, and a useful member of society, which in turn reduces the amount of care the person needs.

Dylan wears a special coat saying “Assistance dog do not pet,” but mental health problems are hidden and the general public can frequently ignore this message. They do not realise that by distracting my dog they are distracting him from working with me, which can cause a lot of stress. Some people ask if they can pet him, and this gives me the opportunity to say yes or no. I have a special instruction I can give to Dylan that allows him to say “hello” if I’m feeling well enough— although sometimes I can be asked half a dozen times in a very short walk!

Dylan makes an enormous difference to the quality of my life, and I am very grateful to Keyworth NWR for the warm welcome they have given to me and Dylan!

More information about Darwin Dogs can be found at: www.darwins.org.uk Rachel Steele Keyworth NWR