This Week
The Sight for Wight office at Millbrooke House will be closing at lunchtime on Friday 20th December for the Christmas and New Year period. Although there will be a skeleton staff covering this period, the building will not be open to the public. The office will reopen at 9.00am on Monday 6th January 2020.
The first Thursday Social Group will be Thursday 9th January. The first Tuesday swimming group will be Tuesday 7th January. The Wednesday coffee morning and low vision drop in session will restart on Wednesday 8th January. If you are interested in joining any of these groups please contact Laura Jasper on 522205 or by email members@iwsb.org.uk
Dress For Less Christmas and New Year Closure
Dress for Less will be closing for Christmas on Saturday 21st December 2019 and reopen on Tuesday 7th January 2020. Thank you for your support during the last year.
Any Other News
The Short Story Writing Competition Award Ceremony took place on Monday 9th December at the Riverside Centre, Newport to a full house. The winners were announced as follows and their winning stories can be heard later in the programme, together with a short interview with Melvyn Hayes recorded by Kelvin Currie from Vectis Radio.
Under 12s category winner was Ben Fry with his story, Christmas Joy, read by Melvyn Hayes
An additional prize was given to the youngest entrant, Adam Kirby aged 6, with his story, Christmas Present, read by Melvyn Hayes
12-17 category winner was Ella Brear with her story, The Sound of Christmas, read by Kate Weston
The Highly Commended category winner was Dr Marguerite Howick with her story, In The Blink Of An Eye, read by Edana Minghella
18+ category winner was Roy Perry with his story, Silent Nights, read by Michael Maloney
Christmas arrangements for the Talking News:
Friday December 27th will be recorded as usual but NOT circulated
Friday January 3rd as usual but with news from Friday 27th also included.
Please return your memory sticks as promptly as possible to minimise the effects of the seasonal postal delays.
Royal Mail and The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam.
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 661 1911 (a Premium rate number)
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.
For more information see the Crime Stoppers website: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/helping-prevent-crime/scams/postal-delivery-scam
Please be aware that the premium rate number may change but nevertheless please do not call any number stated on card from PDS.
Scam Messages – Beware of text, emails and Social Media messages purporting to be from Argos. The message will be asking you to click on a link which will take you to a website controlled by criminals to steal your personal and financial information.
If in doubt do a web search for Argos, and look on the official website for the gift card offer. Do not use the link within the message.
Do you care for a vulnerable adult, have you heard about the Herbert Protocol-Safe and Sound?
The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person can fill in. It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including: medication required; mobile numbers; places previously located; a recent photograph. Recording this information ahead of time and keeping it regularly updated will greatly reduce stress associated with trying to recall detailed information in an emergency situation. This form can be downloaded at www.met.police.uk/herbertprotocol
We will be visiting the Isle of Wight Pearl on Monday 10th February. On this visit we will join the Pearl Masterclass; a free informative talk about pearls. The talk lasts about 30 minutes and there will also be an opportunity to look around the centre, or have refreshments in the café. There is no charge for the talk, but minibus may be available depending on location for a donation of £2.00. Closing date for applications is Monday 20th January. For further information or to book your place please contact the charity on 522205 or email members@iwsb.org.uk Please note that all activities are subject to demand and availability of volunteers for driving and supporting as a sighted escort guides.
This weeks In Touch:
A Festive Farewell In Touch
What’s fashionable this Christmas? The fine art of present wrapping, and farewell to producer Lee Kumutat.
Fern Lulham assumes the role of festive fashion correspondent and gives the low-down on what’s hot this chilly Christmas.
Emma Williams, who teaches visually impaired students at New College Worcester techniques for daily living, talks Peter through the best way to approach the task of present wrapping.
And just three of Lee Kumutat’s favourite In Touch treasures from the past eleven years.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Lee Kumutat
Reporter: Fern Lulham
You can listen to this week’s In Touch by clicking HERE
