Well we have made it through January and are into February. Spring will soon be on its way. We have seen the first lambs and the bulbs are starting to poke their heads through the ground, the snowdrops are out already. It won’t be long until warmer days are here.
The vaccine roll out is going amazingly well; several people we know have had their jabs already. Martin says "Morning all, to anyone concerned about the vaccine I felt tired the day I had it and had a bit of a sore arm but something and nowt. I would definitely recommend others go get it"
Sandra has also had her vaccine, she says" I'd definitely recommend others go get it. I have allergies and have also had a allergic reaction to general anaesthetic so felt nervous. But you wait for 15 mins after and they asked me to wait for 1/2 an hour. I didn’t have any side effects. Not even sore arm. For me it gives me peace of mind."
Fantastic News for the Centre!
We have some amazing news for you! We have been awarded nearly £313,000 from the National Lottery to work with their community to reduce isolation, improve access to the internet and to support and help each other over the next 3 years.
Christine says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognized our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to increase our groups and activities. To reach out and welcome more people and work together to continue to build a strong and resilient community in which people feel safe, are valued and help each other. This is important because it makes a real difference to people’s lives and is helping people to survive this terrible pandemic. We, together, have much work to do to help each other recover from its impact. People are struggling with isolation, mental health, digital exclusion, unemployment. We now have the opportunity to help to address these problems. Thank you to everyone who plays the National Lottery.”
What great news!
We look forward to a time when we can welcome old and new friends in person. Until then if anyone would like to join in any of the following activities, need support with something or just fancy a catch up please contact Fran: 07743687053 or Kathryn: 07592003595
WhatsApp- West End Warriors- Online social group offering company, laughs, games, quizzes and safe up to date on local services available and corona virus news
WhatsApp- History Buffs- Online group for those with an interest in all things’ history
WhatsApp- Weigh to go- Online Peer support group for people who want to make changes to their eating and activity habits, sharing motivation, struggles, tips, recipes and of course fun.
Welfare calls- We offer this service to those feeling lonely or isolated during this difficult time
I.T Support-Help to access online services such as internet shopping, or applying for jobs
Tuesdays -10-11 am Weigh to go Focus hour
11-12 WhatsApp Tablet Tuesdays -are you struggling with your tablet or phone or need help to do something online? We are here to help.
3.30pm Mini quiz time on West End Warriors
Wednesdays – Lunch club on wheels and deliveries
Thursdays – 10.30-11.30 ‘Friends in need’ depression support group – online peer support group for those struggling with depression or their carers
7-8.30 pm History Buffs Quiz time
A word from Jackie
Hello from me and Barry! This hasn't been the kind of retirement from work I'd imagined - thought I'd still be coming to the Tuesday art group to catch up with everyone at The West End Centre, so I've been missing you all. Just have to keep going and remember we are staying safe by staying at home. Let's look forward to Spring, people being vaccinated and hopefully to a gradual lifting of restrictions and we will all see each other again. We are lucky to live near some lovely countryside, I think I know every inch of Haworth by now, walking is a great tonic. I'm waiting to start part time work helping out in the vaccination centres in Bradford, perhaps I'll see one or two of you there! Fantastic news on the Big lottery funding for the centre, well deserved and it's been incredible to hear about all the innovative ways the staff have been keeping in contact with you all. Best wishes to everyone and a big hello to art group members.
Soup on a budget by Kim
Here is a cheap and healthy soup recipe to keep you warm
· Vegetable Stew pack £1.50
· Stock Cubes £50p
· Tin of Chopped Tomatoes 35p
· A handful of pasta 10p (optional)
· Makes 5-6 portions
Recipe
1. Cut all your vegetables into bite size chunks keeping it all separate
2. Gently often your onion in a little oil
3. Add the carrot, turnip and parsnips- fry gently for 5 minutes
4. Add herbs of your choice and a salt and pepper to taste
5. Stir it all together
6. Add vegetable stock cubes to about 1 to 1/2 pints of water
7. Add a bit of pasta or spaghetti broken into small bits (optional)
8. Add a tin of tomatoes (optional)
9. Simmer on a low light until all vegetables are cooked
You can divide into portions and freeze. It makes approximately 6 servings
A message from J.
Hello everyone, I hope your well.
This is my 4th year at the West End Centre. I have learned and experienced many things with them. They have been very helpful during this strange time. Unfortunately I haven't been able to use the computer that they provide at the centre because it is closed.
As you know I love cooking and would like to share my recipes with you. I will show my skills when we open the centre again. I keep myself busy cooking and I enjoy doing it. In 2020 I learned how to make many healthy dishes and even energy bars and herbal tea and herbal hot drinks during the lockdown.
I am very passionate about learning different things. I like experimenting with food for example I can make many dishes from minimum ingredients.
It’s very easy to snack or eat unhealthily when we are bored or feeling low and anxious. Try to drink water regularly and eat your fruit and vegetables to maintain general wellbeing.
Syds Quiz
Syd is famed for his difficult Geography quizzes; see how many questions you can get right! The results are on the last page.
Questions
1. In Which Country is Mombasa?
2. Which hills border England & Scotland?
3. Where would you find Offas Dyke?
4. What Is made in Waterford?
5. Where is John O’Groats?
6. In which county is Lizard Point?
7. What is it most important for ?
8. Where is the wash?
9. What is the newest National Park in England?
10. What is the largest town in West Yorkshire?
Dan’s February allotment tips
February is a funny month. All the garden programs and tips on television are a few weeks and a few degrees in front of us in the scheme of things, so I always have an element of caution as I approach the planting seasons especially in this windy cold Bradford. Most of this month is a good time to be digging in manure aerating and feeding the ground with mulches/compost/leaf mould in preparation for ahead. I also like to cover beds with some black plastic as it heats up the ground causing any weeds to germinate before the season. The 6 p’s I was taught as a outdoor pursuits instructor always spring to mind Prior Preparation Prevents P*** Poor Performance.
If you have a propagator you can risk planting some tomatoes, artichokes maybe some sprouting broccoli there’s a chance that there’s not enough light just yet and they will go leggy.
If you have somewhere undercover but not heated, you can try some broad beans, sprouts, leeks, onions, spinach.
And remember that Dan saying. “If you plant peas in February you don’t have to eat peas”.
Here are some more gardeners Quotes that Dan has found for you;
Show me your garden and i will tell you what you are. Alfred Austin
Garden as though you will live forever. Thomas Moore
If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need. Cicero
The flower that smells the sweetest is shy and lowly. Wordsworth
Weeds are flowers once you get to know them. Claudine Ticknor
Plant carrots in January and you will never have to eat carrots. Dan
Life begins the day you start a garden. Chinese proverb
Life’s a garden dig it. Anon
To be happy for a hour get drunk, To be happy for a year fall in love, to be happy for life take up gardening. Chinese proverb
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Life is simple but we insist on making it complicated.
You can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. Forrest Gump
Syds quiz answers
1. Kenya
2. Cheviots
3. Border of England and Wales
4. Crystal Glass
5. Most Northern point of East Scotland
6. Cornwall
7. Most Southerly point in UK
8. Between Norfolk & Lincolnshire
9. South Downs
10. Leeds
A massive thank you to everyone who contributed to this Month’s newsletter. If you would like to contribute to our next Newsletter please get in touch