remember as refugees league football

D-Day Dollies drop-in to care home for a singalong

WorcesterObserver electric, and your kindness has meant the world to me.

“I cannot thank you enough for your generosity.

“I hope to pay it forward someday and make a difference in someone’s life, just as you have done for me.”

The Cowshed provides support to people in crisis from all backgrounds, providing quality clothes and essentials free to anyone in need.

Recipients include those fleeing domestic abuse, individuals and families experiencing emergency rehousing, or health issues resulting in poverty.

The organisation also works with people in the local community who are homeless, have emergency custody situations, or experience poor housing conditions. n For information about The Cowshed, visit: www.thecowshed.org n For more about Care4Calais, visit: www.care4calais.org n For the charity’s supporter, Oracle, visit: www.oracle.com/uk n For information about Premier League football, visit their Facebook page.

The charity receives increasing numbers of referrals each week from health visitors, social services, foodbanks, schools, refuges, churches, doctors and charities.

THERE were bluebirds not over the white cliffs of Dover, but the green fields of Sindlesham.

The reason? An early commemoration of the D-Day anniversary.

Residents of the Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court care home enjoyed a visit from the D-Day Dollies, a duo that performed songs from the 1940s and 50s.

D-Day is a major military operation during the Second World War that saw troops land en masse on Normandy on June 6, 1944, and heralded the start of the end of the conflict – although that would be a year later.

The performers provided the residents with an afternoon of entertainment that crossed generations.

The residents were able to sing along and could also reminisce and share fond memories of a bygone age.

“The music definitely captured my younger days, and the harmonies were so enjoyable,” said Michael, one of the residents.

“The blended tones of the girls’ voices was wonderful.”

And Iris, a resident who says she loves dancing, added: “The music made my toes tap to the beat. It really cheered us all.”

Sharon Fletcher, one of the centre’s activities coordinators, said: “It was a delight to see the joy and emotion from residents and family members.

“The room was alight with the songs from the generation, including We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover.” n For more information, visit: www.rmbi.org.uk/

Departing Mon 7 Aug ‘23

Attracting holidaymakers since Victorian times, Eastbourne is a bustling seaside resort that epitomises the British summer holiday. During our relaxing break here, we take a trip on the Bluebell Railway, and spend time in picturesque Lewes and charming Alfriston.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Reading

 4 nights at the Cavendish Hotel, Eastbourne with dinner & breakfast

 Entertainment some evenings

 Heritage train journey on the Bluebell Railway

 Excursions to Lewes & Alfriston (via Beachy Head)

Optional excursion to Rye & Hastings (£13pp)

5 Days by Coach only £369

Single Supplement £60

WARNER ENTERTAINMENT Break - Norton Grange

“We love to challenge ourselves with new themes, and we enjoy creating unique pieces each month to put in our travelling books.

“These are blank, and go home with a different member each meeting, who sews a new piece to place inside it.

“At the end of the year, each book contains 12 creations inspired by comments and thoughts from our members.”

Regular sessions take place at St Paul’s Parish Rooms, on Saturdays towards the end of the month. They run from 2.30pm through to 4.30pm.

Poetry Corner

When I run it’s just like poetry n For more information about the group and their events programme, visit: wokinghamembroiderers.org

Extra workshops are arranged during the year, and these run from 10am through to 4pm.

Membership costs £45, but visitors are able to drop in to individual sessions for £5.

“We’d love some new members to come and join us,” said Ms Carver.

The group’s outdoor embroidery event will take place in Howard Palmer on Saturday, July 29, at 2.30pm. Weather dependant, it is subject to cancellation at short notice.

I’m limping like a limerick Looking for that last rhyme I stumble like a stanza

That’s completely lost its time

I’m sauntering in a sonnet

That Shakespeare clean forgot Tripping over my iambic pentameters My leg muscles in a knot

And as I climb the hill

Supporters’ shouts reach my ears

It must be really poetic

‘Cause my eyes have filled with tears

Then the race gets really tough

And I start to swear and curse

My normal vocabulary

Is replaced by blank, blank verse

But when the race is over

And I’ve finished off my run

Like singing a round, I’ll be back again

It really was such fun!

Departing Mon 7 Aug ‘23

Breaks to the Isle of Wight are some of our very best sellers, and is it any wonder why?

Capturing the charms of ye olde English holidays with world-famous beaches, historic landmarks and quaint villages, this five-day break has got the lot.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Crawley

 4 nights at the Warner Norton Grange Coastal Village, Isle of Wight with dinner & breakfast

 Daytime activities in resort

 Entertainment every evening

 Excursions to Ryde, Cowes & Shanklin

Optional Island Highlights Tour to Ventnor, Alum Bay (Needles View), Yarmouth & Newport (£13pp)

5 Days by Coach only £449

Single Supplement £60

Kathy Tyler

We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Send your verse to poems@wokingham.today