MEDWAY
PENSIONERS FORUM
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CONTACTS PAGE.
MEDWAY
PENSIONER
CONTACT PAGE
Please
contact by letter, e-mail or phone as below.
Medway
Pensioners Forum
Medway
Pensioners Forum
5a New
Road Avenue,
Medway
Pensioners Forum
Medway
Pensioners Forum
5A NEW ROAD AVENUE
Chatham,
Kent. ME4 6BB.
Phone: 01634 842333
e-mail:
pensioners@medwayforum.fsnet.co.uk
For Membership Form Click
Here
I
thought it timely to remind members the year 2009/10
contributions are now due , and the Forum Policy is members not
having renewed their membership by the end of March will be suspended until
contributions are received. Their names will be removed from the mailing
list, losing their entitlement of receiving the MPF excellent NEWSLETTER'
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Our
Objective:
· To promote the needs of older people in all their forms
· To improve the life of older citizens
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Although
much of our work is in the 'political field' we are not a political group.
Our aim is to inform and influence decision - making and we fully recognize
that Councilors and Members of Parliament are elected to make decisions.
DISCLAIMER
Certain information may appear on the other websites relevant to the Medway
Pensioners Forum, and using our name, being of political nature which is not
of our making. We will not endorse political use of our site. Our statement
above covers this matter.
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At the moment there are three applications for grants from local bodies applied
for, we are awaiting favorable decisions. We have "Watts Charities"
to thank for a new Computer, Printer, Scanner and digital Camera, also help
with rent, they came up trumps.
(Now us silver surfers have to start training courses). Let's look forward
to a good New Year.
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Our Aims:
· To link all individual pensioners and those organisations representing
pensioners or retired people to provide a joint voice on issues of concern.
Our Vision
· The generation which Medway Pensioners Forum represents has seen
great changes throughout their whole life. They have vast experience and knowledge
which is available to be used for the benefit of all. For too long that knowledge
has been locked away with individuals. We now seek to unlock that information
and prove to young and old alike that just as in the past so now in the present
and future we can help change and develop society so that all can live fulfilled
and satisfied
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Forum Committee Members
Officers
Chairman
&Treasurer: Bill Young
Vice- Chair:Gordon
Dowel
Secretary:
Rosemary Shand
Editor:
Peter Nassan
Fundraiser: Emma Murphy
Webmaster: Len Knight
Roy Ansell,
Albert Porter, Joan Wade,
Joy Perrin,
Roy Muurrant, Christine Baker, Rita Daisy,
and M.S. Paddam
Full details committee
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Basic
Review of meetings 2009
Click here
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BLACKPOOL 2009.
Albert Porter and the well known Dolly Morgan attended
the seventeenth Pensioner Parliament of the National Pensioners Convention.
This year, for the first time, day one consisted of a Question Time style
session, chaired by Prof. Alan Walker from Sheffield University and a panel
made up of Pensions Minister Rosie Winterton, Nigel Waterson Shadow Pensions
Minister, Paul Rowan Lib. Dem Pension team and Joe Harris N.P.C. delegates
of the various Pensioner groups throughout the country had been invited to
send their questions in advance to the panel and from these questions several
had been selected to ensure a wide range of issues were covered from across
the country. On the remaining one and a half days, other sessions were arranged
and one attended by myself was the future of the N.P.C. and the Pensioners
Movement. It was stated that a strong membership among groups throughout the
country was needed in order to support the N.P.C. and the shortage of funding
received by the N.P.C. itself. It is very annoying when pensioners say, have
you managed to get anything done, implying that we are a useless body and
nothing can be done to better the life of a pensioner. Our role has been that
of an advisory one, more than anything else and we can only hope that views
put forward are listened to and acted upon. Anyone with common sense should
realise, because we say something, it is not going to be done just like that.
It is to our credit that we are asked to attend meetings by the planners of
our future in Medway and charitable organisations see fit to fund us, enabling
us to exist as the Medway Pensioners Forum, what we need is more support from
those pensioners living in their ivory towers and pensioners who can't get
pensioners credit because they have a small private pension. We would have
a more powerful voice if more of the thirty thousand pensioners of Medway
were to join us. This is the same thing I hear from the many groups throughout
the country every year on my yearly visits to Blackpool. Many pensioners cannot
be bothered and this should not be so as now more than ever we need to ensure
that the government cuts do not fall on us. Those of you who are not pensioners
yet and are near retiring age should realise it has already been suggested,
the retiring age could be set at 75 years. It might suit workaholics, but
if you want to enjoy retirement, you don't want it when you are beset with
health problems due to age. We have room for you in our membership also and
although we may not overturn the ruling, we can show as a strong group our
dissatisfaction. Nothing said, every one is happy with their treatment by
the government in power and remember, although our membership is growing,
it is still a pitiful number compared to the total number of pensioners.
By
Albert Porter
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BILLIONS
FOR BANKERS
PEANUTS FOR PENSIONERS
RAISE THE STATE PENSION NOW!
Remember!
Don't vegetata - AGITATE!!!
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Next Forum Meeting
MEDWAY
PENSIONERS FORUM.
PUBLIC
MEETING.
To be
notified!
ALL WELCOME.
FROM
2-4pm.
ALL WELCOME
AT
ROCHESTER BAPTIST CHURCH, THE MOAT HOUSE,
8,CROWLANE, ROCHESTER, ME1 1RF.
(As Forum Meetings)
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Don't
forget, if you are out shopping or just visiting in Rochester, and would like
a bit of refreshment or a meal, try
The Rochester Cathedral tearooms and restaurant.
The tearooms are situated directly behind the cathedral and can be accessed
from Rochester High street through the gates behind the war memorial. It is
an ideal venue, set in a peaceful part of Rochester. Go along and enjoy their
beautiful gardens which are maintained by the talented Cathedral gardeners.
It is a peaceful haven where birdwatchers can enjoy a large variety of garden
birds.
Opening times are from 8.30am. to 4.30pm. Mon to Sat.
for Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas.
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Chairmans/
Treasurers/ Secretary Report. Click here
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Next
Committee Meeting 2009
1st
December
5A New Road Avenue, Chatham
10am to 12 noon.
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Gillingham
Salvation Army
Pensioners Club
If you are looking for a
place to go and spend a pleasant afternoon with other people over 50, why
not go to the Gillingham Salvation Army pensioners club. They meet in their
hall in Green Street, Gillingham, every Monday at 2pm.
you get care and company, music and drama, singing and listening. They have
outings, dinners and a lot of fun, and if you are good, they will let you
have a go on a tambourine.
If you would like more information, just go long
or ring 01634 314018.
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DARBY
AND JOAN CLUB.
Looking for somewhere to go on a Monday Well why not go along
to the Wigmore W.R.V.S.
Darby and Joan club for the over 50"s.
They meet every Monday at the:-
HOWARD HALL
WOODSIDE GILLINGHAM. From 2pm.-4pm.
It is opposite the Woodside Post Office.
They have craft displays and outings etc. and other interesting events.
Why not go along and give them a try.
They are a friendly group of people.
You can get there by bus. Take the 131 bus from Medway Hospital at 12.50 pm.
and it will take you
to Woodside.
For more information ring 01634 362662 (NB. They are closed during August,
but open again the 1st. Monday in September).
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OASIS
CAFE.
Looking for somewhere to go for a pleasant meal?
Well why not try the
OASIS CAFE at ST. DAVID'S CHURCH,
NEWTON CLOSE, LORDSWOOD, ME5 8TR.
(next to the Kestral Pub) You can enjoy a Fair Trade Coffee and Tea, other
refreshments, including sweet and savoury
snacks, in friendly surroundings.
They are open every 2nd. and 4th. Friday of each month.
For more information, ring Linda Hartwell on 01474 852280.
You can get there by the 166 bus, bay 4 Chatham bus station.
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Every
man and woman on reaching state
pensionable age should have the right to:
o A basic state pension set above the official poverty level
and linked to average male earnings.
o A warm and comfortable home.
o Free health care treatment based on clinical need and an
annual comprehensive health check.
o Free community care and services to assist living
at home.
» Free long-term care.
o Free nationwide travel on all public and local transport.
o Free education, access to and participation in leisure
and
cultural activities.
o Goods, services and benefits without age discrimination.
o Active engagement and consultation on national and
local
issues affecting older citizens.
» Advocacy, dignity, respect and fair treatment
in all aspects
of their lives.
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Woodlands
Centre of Excellence
You will be aware that for
some time discussions have been held with respect to the development of a
Centre of Excellence in care for older people on the site of Gillingham College
in Woodlands Road.
A
meeting has been held
SeePage1
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Health
and Care contacts
Click here
information useful to
Medway Pensioners
Anyone
over the age of 50 can become a member
The Forums aims are also to link to all individual pensioners
and those organisations supporting pensioners or retired persons.
This website cannot and does not intend to replace the Newsletter available
if a member of Medway Pensioners, it can only highlight the pensioner plight,
so please join our group, the subscriptions are so small, for all the info
you may gain.
Ring our office for more info.
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MEDICAL ALERT CARD
Cyril Whittmgham has produced a medical alert
card that can be carried in your handbag, wallet, etc. If you have an accident
one of the emergency services can see your medical information, next of kin,
any medications you are on your blood group and your GP's names and address.
It is a very useful document to carry around with you. If you would like one
they can be purchased at any of our meetings or events when MPF have a stand.
Price 50p or send 3x21p stamps to our office They are
well worth the money
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Treatment without having
to see your Doctor
for Some General Ailments.
See Page Two
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HANDS and GILLINGHAM
VOLUNTEER BUREAU
Aims and Objectives
Hands provides practical help throughout the
community in Medway by the use of
volunteers. Hands undertakes community transport, DIY, gardening, befriending
and provides day-to-day assistance with any difficulties and problems, especially
for the
elderly, the disabled and the infirm.The volunteer bureau actively supports
the ongoing development and the expansion of all aspects of voluntary work
and is involved in promoting public awareness and appreciation of the
continuing need for the voluntary sector.
Please
contact by letter, e-mail or phone as below.
Sunlight
Centre, Richmond Road
Gillingham, Kent. ME7 1LX.
E-mail: gillinghamvb@hotmail.com
HANDS
Telephone: (01634) 338655
(24 hour answerphone)
Office Hours: 9.00am -1.00pm
GILLINGHAM
VOLUNTEER BUREAU
Telephone: (01634) 338653
Office Hours: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Monday - Thursday
9.00am - 4.00pm
Friday
Hands
and Gillingham Volunteer Bureau
is a registered Charity No 290169
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Social
Afternoon
It has been suggested we start a social afternoon, say about
four times a year. We need some suggestions
to what you would like to see or do at the social.
Please let the Office know.
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Medway Pensioners Forum Notes
The Star Stroke Club meets every other week.
Details from Barry Bryant 01634 847128 or Stroke Association 01634 847086
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Medway Pensioners Centre
We have now produced a detailed report setting out the
reasons why we want a pensioners centre at the heart of Chatham and the benefits
that such a centre will bring to all Medway Residents. Further work to convert
these ideas into a practical project is being done by Gillian Wells and Alan
Street. For a copy of the report or to voice your opinion,
please contact office
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The
subscription for membership to this forum is small, why not join us in this
crusade to improve your future.
Subscription
are £2 a year, to keep it affordable for all and £10 for organisations.
(Donations are very welcome ).
You
will receive four News Letters per year.
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SUPPORTERS:
Co-operative Group, South East,
Southern Water,
Britannia Building Services,
Kings Ferry Coaches,
Moat House,
Help the Aged,
CVS (Medway),
Medway Council,
Watts Charities
mhs homes
Kent energy centre
Alan Lane Foundation
Awards For All
Medway LA21 Environment
and
Community Champions.
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Do you get
fed up with piles of Junk Mail on your doormat every day or people ringing
you
trying to sell you something, well you can get them stopped.
Ring:
0207 291 3310 you can get junk mail stopped.
Ring 0845 0700707 or 0800 398893 to get telesales phone calls stopped.
A
few tips to stop these:
When a uninvited caller is trying to sell you something you do not want,say
'HOLD THE LINE PLEASE' put phone down, until you hear 'beep-beep-beep then
hang up phone, it will cost you nothing, but will the caller.
When having silent callers, hit the # button, 6 or 7 times quickly, this confuses
the machine that dials your number, taking your number out of their system
When you receive JUNK MAIL just return their empty envelope, or better still someone's junk mail inside, (ensure you details are not sent) they end up paying postage for nothing.
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If
you have any ideas, articles, poems, ect. that you would like to see printed
in our newsletter, please send them to our office at Medway Pensioner Forum
(Newsletter)
5A New Road Avenue, Chatham, Kent. ME6 6BG.
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Webmaster:
Len Knight
lenknight@blueyonder.co.uk
THE ONLY THING THAT WILL REDEEM MANKIND
IS CO-OPERATION.
(Bertrand Russell 1872-1970)