January & February meetings

We’ve managed to kick start the year with a couple of interesting meetings so far. The January meeting saw only 11 attendees due to weather and illness but they included two new members, Mr. & Mrs. Hale, who we’d like to welcome to our group. The group spent the afternoon chatting over cups of tea and biscuits about a number of topics of interest including experiences at Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the concern at the delay in rolling out a National Strategy to combat COPD.

By contrast the February meeting had two speakers and a good attendance. We welcomed back local historian and film archivist Tony Blake who gave us a brilliant show covering Whitstable and Tankerton from the 1900s to the 1990s. We saw extraordinary 1910 film of the back breaking work involved in landing oysters, dramatic footage of the 1953 floods, and, more recently Peter Cushing’s moving funeral passage through the town. All this alongside film of carnivals, regattas, and other regular highlights of Whitstable town life. Tony stayed for the entire meeting and we are very grateful to him for refusing a fee.

After the tea break we welcomed our second guest Dr Ian Morrison from the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts & Health. Ian wants to set up singing groups with Breathe Easy members in East Kent as part of a research project into the benefits of singing for people with lung disease. We had a lively discussion and members were very enthusiastic. The singing starts in September, so if you are interested or want information, call us or come along to a meeting. You don’t have to have a great voice or any singing experience.

Christmas 2010

Although Christmas came early as far as the lunch went that didn't stop anyone from having a grand time. We were fortunate that we dodged the snow too.

November & World COPD Day

November was a busy month with a talk at our usual meeting from Geoff Parry on the RNLI. He regaled us with stories of brave rescues off our coast and well as the facts and figures on what it takes to keep the RNLI running.

We also had an awareness stand in Boots the Chemist in Whitefriars on World COPD Day and we thank them for their support of this day. It was amazing how many people we spoke to who are either affected by a lung disease or know somebody who is.

This month we also received an award from the British Lung Foundation for 5 years as a successful group.

AGM & Bingo

Also in October we held our Annual General Meeting when we welcomed Dominic Papineau from The British Lung Foundation who helped along the proceedings. This year our Press Officer Jean Fraser stood down from the committee and will be much missed. We did welcome two new committee members however Mr & Mrs Barrow which we're very pleased about. The groups were also delighted to learn they have been awarded a Breath of Fresh Air Award for Outstanding Service of 5 years.

After the business part of the afternoon was concluded we welcomed Karen Cotter from the Specialist Respiratory Team who treated us to a few games of Bingo.

Quiz Night 2010

October was a busy month with another successful Quiz Night bringing in over £400 thanks to our Quiz Master once again donating his time and coming up with entertaining and challenging questions. We welcomed teams from Thanet Breathe Easy and representatives of the Specialist Respiratory Team as well as many members, friends and family from our own group.

The Annual Strawberry Tea

It's that time of the year again; our treasurer's beautiful garden in Chestfield saw twenty five members and guests turn up for our annual strawberry tea. We were particularly pleased to welcome six members of Thanet Breathe Easy and three from our specialist community Respiratory Team which is based at the Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital.

Collossal amounts of strawberries and cream were consumed, along with scones baked by several members, with amiable banter about whose were the best! The weather held up and a brilliant time was had by all with lots of jokes and laughter.

Every year Carol, our treasurer, and her loyal and helpful family allow us to use their garden, and assist with organising food and creating a welcoming environment for the event and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. It is also a time to be grateful to the British Lung Foundation for setting up the Breathe Easy network, and for the support of our own Canterbury & District group gives to all of us. We would like to thank Rupert Mitchell, who also attended the event, for again donating what must be the best strawberries in Kent, which is really saying something! And the raffle raised £102 thanks to everyone's generousity.

5th Birthday Party

We are five years old this month and to celebrate our birthday held a tea dance at the Marine Hotel on 14th June, an occasion which truly did justice to this landmark. Attended by over a hundred people, we danced the afternoon away to the KD Jazz and Dance Orchestra, stuffed ourselves with sandwiches and cream scones from the donated by The Rotary Club of Whitstable, and took part in the raffle and tombola, with prizes contributed by local businesses and individuals.

Mollie Jackson was our main guest speaker; Mollie started the group five years ago when she headed the specialist respiratory team at the Whit and Tank hospital. She has since gone on to work as Nurse Manager at the British Lung Foundation but still finds time to support us and keep up with our news. Also present was Dominic from the British Lung Foundation and Pauline Treadwell, head of the Specialist Respiratory Team who came to thank us for the items we have purchased for them over the years.

To all these people, especially the band and the Marine Hotel, we extend our thanks and appreciation for their generosity. The afternoon raised £800 for people with lung disease.