May newsletter

Posted by & filed under Centre News.

Dear Readers,

You may have heard that the Age UK Oxfordshire office has now moved. We are still in Abingdon. Our new address is:

9 Napier Court,
Barton Lane
Abingdon OX14 3YT.

Do come and visit us!

Some of our classes – why not try one?

  • NEW! Strength & Balance – Jericho Community Centre – Fridays  10.30-11.30, starts 9th June 
  • Zumba Gold – Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington – Thursdays 2-3pm
  • Strength & Balance – Grimsbury Community Centre, Banbury – Tuesdays 2-3pm
  • Zumba Gold – Rose Hill Community Centre, Oxford – Wednesdays   10-11am
  • Strength & Balance – Long Wittenham Village Hall – Wednesdays – 3.30 – 4.30pm
  • Strength & Balance –Bicester Methodist Church – Mondays – 1.30 – 2.30pm
  • Tai Chi  – Carterton WI Hall – Thursdays – 1 – 2pm 
  • Tai Chi for health – Watchfield village Hall – Mondays 1 – 2pm
  • NEW Creative Moves dementia-friendly class – Witney 1.30 – 2.30 pm set to start Tuesday 13th June(N.B: please call to register your interest in this class, it is not quite confirmed but still wanted to let you know about it)

Dementia-friendly “Creative Moves” class in Henley
We plan to set up a new session in Henley aimed at people living with dementia (and their carers – carers go free). The session will be called “Creative Moves” is a chair-based class that centres on moving to music and connecting with others. If you would like to register your interest please contact us so that we can add you to our register. Feel free to pass on to anyone you think may be interested!

Staff and friends have decided we needed a training goal to keep us active and to help keep our motivation up we thought what better way than also fundraising for Age UK Oxfordshire to help older people in our county. We will be running the Berkshire 10km race on 21st May – this Sunday! Any help, encouragement and support will of course be very welcome. We have created a donation page here.
There is lots of evidence to show that running or gentle jogging has many health benefits. As it is a load-bearing form of exercise it is great to strengthen bones, brilliant for cardio and if you run outdoors you are getting all the benefits of natural daylight (or even sunshine!). Combining the above provides a wonderful recipe to improved mental health as well. And…… it’s free! Why not search out a local running club near you or ask a friend to join you – it could even become your regular social time!

I am including a few cultural items from our Age of Creativity team further below that may be of interest as well as information on a long-term conditions course at Sue Ryder Nettlebed. Enjoy!

Strength & Balance

This class focuses on, as the name implies, strength & balance to help prevent falls. In this group you really have the sense they are having fun and enjoying a laugh whilst exercising and strengthening. The class takes place on a Wednesday in Dean Court Community Centre at10am – 11am.

Big, Bold and Balance

This was taken at our Abingdon Big Bold and Balance class, taught by Laura. The class is aimed at people with Parkinson’s and it’s focus is to encourage big range of movement through explosive, sharp, bold exercises.  We also work on balance, strength and postural stability. It feels like a group physiotherapy session. At the end everyone enjoys a hot drink and a biscuit together!
You are warmly invited to attend Scorched — a critically acclaimed drama about living with dementia — at Cornerstone, Didcot on Thursday 15 June @ 7.30pm.

As a member of an organisation that works to support older members of our community and those living with dementia, we would be delighted if you would join us, and are pleased to offer you the discounted ticket rate of £8.

“A powerful play that captures the horror of war and the disorientation of dementia.” Britishtheatre

Told from the armchair of Jack’s care home, Scorched uses new writing, visual physical theatre, period music and an innovative set to create the workings of a mind sinking into the sands of time.

1941. Egypt. WWII. An escaped German officer. A two day chase across the brutal Sahara. A triumphant capture. A hero’s return.

1991. England. Jack reigns from the armchair of his rest home, a local legend. Decorated veteran of Tobruk. Former river warden, boxer, horse whisperer, boat builder, charmer, prolific father and husband to a very unhappy wife. Memories are, by his own hand, tattooed on his body but dementia is eroding his mind. As the Gulf War rages, the past drags him back to the scorched sands.

Inspired by the writer’s grandfather.

Please contact the Box Office on 01235 515144 or book online at cornerstone.org.uk. Quote SCORCHED8 to claim your discount.
Dear fellow theatre lovers

PDH Productions Presents
Titter Ye Not
The bare facts about Frankie Howerd
To say that Frankie Howerd had an amazing career is something of an understatement. As he said himself, ‘he had more ups and downs than a whore’s drawers’.
He was perfectionist who could be very difficult to work with and suffered for most of his life with depression and lack of confidence. Despite this he was loved by the public and admired by his fellow professionals.
TITTER YE NOT takes an affectionate look at the man, his life and his work.
It takes us from his army days, through the highs and lows of his career with glimpses into his, sometimes traumatic, personal life.
We see Frankie on stage and off. If you are a fan of Frankie Howerd this play will make you laugh and maybe cry for the man. If you aren’t a fan you may well become one by the end of the piece.
Date: Friday 19th May
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £14

To book tickets now please visit our website at www.themillartscentre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01295 279002, or feel free to pop in and book in person.