Aloe Vera

On June 11th, aloe vera enthusiast Charlotte Reynolds came to speak to the group about the plant’s healing and health-giving properties. Representing the Forever Living Products company, she demonstrated aloe vera products, providing samples of various aloe vera juices for members to taste, and giving a good deal of anecdotal evidence as to their efficacy. Charlotte herself has found them helpful in reversing her own ill health and providing a renewal of energy.

Nicknamed the “burns plant”, aloe vera has a long history of medical use for healing purposes. It was first mentioned in a papyrus dated 1552BC; Cleopatra is said to have used it in her beauty regime and Mahatma Ghandi reputedly drank the aloe vera gel which is present inside the leaves during his fasting.

Having no resistance to frost, aloe vera is mostly grown overseas, though it is beginning to be grown here in polytunnels. A Breathe Easy member had grown her own indoors and had used the gel direct from the plant for healing cuts and burns. Members were particularly interested to hear Charlotte’s assertion that aloe vera can improve breathing by soothing the surfaces of bronchial membranes, and reducing the severity of spasm.

If you would like to contact Charlotte for more information please call our Secretary Rosemary on 01227 373080.

Outing To Goodnestone Park Gardens

Thirty-one members and guests joined us on the Coach trip on a warm, sunny afternoon to Goodnestone Park. The walled garden (the largest in the southeast) was glorious with many plants in early flower thanks to the hot start to May combined with the sheltered location. When we’d had enough of wandering the gardens we retired to the tea rooms and enjoyed tea with homemade cake. Somewhere in there a fair few managed to find time to buy some plants to take home and many of the remaining coach seats were occupied with glorious flowering Clematis.

tea, cakes and flowers

These photos were taken by our resident professional photographer Jean Fraser. We're lucky to have her as you can see.

Quiz Night 2008

On Saturday 10th May members, friends and family got together at Littlebourne Village Hall for our annual Quiz Night. We had 11 tables of 8 filling the hall and the excitement was almost fever pitch. Once again our Quizmaster, Mr. Tony Newington donated his time enabling us to raise funds of nearly £400 for the cause. The questions were an excellent mix on topics such as cartoon characters and bridges, with plenty that most people could answer and a selection that were a bit tougher and really tested the memory.



We provided bread, cheese, pate and crisps and people brought their own wine or other drinks and many brought extra food too so there was quite a picnic. The money raised will be split between The British Lung Foundation and equipment for our Respiratory Team.

More Quiz Photos

Our Quiz Master Tony Newington, some more guests of various ages, plus the winning table.

April 9th – The British Lung Foundation

Hannah Tucker the new Southeast Development Officer from the BLF came to introduce herself and give us a talk about the latest news from the BLF, the ways in which the BLF is able to support us as a group and also told us about where the money that is raised goes to. Of the money our group send to the BLF half of it goes towards research grants and half of it goes towards providing specialised Respiratory Nurses for areas of the country that don’t have one – both very worthwhile causes I hope you’ll agree. Now that Hannah’s gotten to know us we’re hoping she’ll be back for some of our other events.

March 12th - Beetle Drive

This was a fun afternoon with frantic dice throwing and strange looking beetles being drawn. We had a half a dozen games with the winner of each table moving on to the next table which meant that people got a chance to talk to pretty much everyone. We also had half a dozen Easter Eggs to be won which was an added bonus!