Walk for Breath

On June 28th members, friends and family of the Breathe Easy Canterbury group came together at Hampton Pier to walk to The Marine Hotel and back. With Cabin Radio providing music at the start and the KD Jazzband leading the way along the seafront it was a joyful occasion for everyone talking part. The KD Jazzband also stopped at several points along the way to provide music and lighten the day for those out enjoying the slopes.

The walk was officially started by Mollie Jackson, the Nurse Manager at The British Lung Foundation. So far £150 has been raised, half of which will go to The British Lung Foundation with more sponsorship money to come in. Our thanks go to the KD Jazzband, Cabin Radio, The Marine Hotel and Mollie Jackson for the success of this event.

Coach Outing

In May our coach trip to Walmer Castle which went well although the weather was not very kind. Whilst waiting for the coach to arrive it poured with rain but once on board everyone was very cheerful (and the new pick-up point in Herne Bay was very popular). By the time we arrived at Walmer there was only a very fine drizzle so we were able to walk around and admire the lovely grounds.
One unusual feature was the way some of the hedges have been cut, different heights and angles even in one length of hedging!
Many also found the both the time and energy to visit a few of the many rooms in the castle, each so full of history.
Just before leaving everyone visited the tea rooms for a drink and sample the selection of cakes which even included bread pudding.

It proved to be a very welcoming venue, in spite of the weather everyone commented on how much they had enjoyed the visit.

More Outing Photos

Beetle Drive

A few days before Easter the group enjoyed a Beetle Drive. Sitting at tables of 3 or 4 we competed to draw the beetle in the fastest time. The first to complete their beetle by getting the right throw of the dice (1 for a head, 2 for a body, and 6 sixes for the legs, etc.) won an Easter Egg and there were a fair few to be won requiring a number of rounds. After each round one person moved on to another table ensuring an afternoon with much mixing and plenty of laughter.

March 2009 - Dr. Pinnock

This month local GP Dr. Hilary Pinnock from Whitstable Medical Centre gave a brilliantly clear and accessible presentation about research into health forecasting for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Several of the fifteen members present had taken part in this project’s feasibility study last winter. Dr. Pinnock, also a research fellow of the University of Edinburgh and well known internationally in the COPD research community, brought us up to date with the project’s progress; it is now to be set up formally as a randomized control trial in the West Country.

Group members asked questions and gave feedback about their own experiences of receiving Met Office’s automated telephone forecasts last year warning them of bad weather and the need to take precautions such as having emergency medication to hand.
We felt privileged to have taken part in the early stages of this research and proud that this useful project has been conceived and piloted at the Whitstable Medical Practice due to Dr. Pinnock’s pioneering research into lung disease. Many of us had not previously known that our local health centre is a research practice accredited with the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Next month’s meeting could not be more different. We will be holding a beetle drive and this will create a great opportunity to welcome new members to our group.

Yoga & Relaxation

Twenty five people braved the cold to learn from Chrissie Dolby, a local Yoga teacher, about relaxation and breathing techniques. With a lot of toe wiggling, hand shaking and deep breathing she helped us all to relax so much that there was a fair bit of yawning. Chrissie didn’t mind however, saying that in her line it’s actually a success to send people to sleep!

Breathe Easy Thanet Launched

On February 5th several of our members went along as guests to the official launch of the new Breathe Easy Thanet group. There was a considerable turnout for this very successful event - as well as all their members other guests included Hannah from the British Lung Foundation, a member of the local council and several representatives from Pfizer.

Breathe Easy Thanet meets on a thursday afternoon. For information on where and when contact their chairman Mr. David Bott on davidbott@btinternet.com