Wardside Gazette No. 48
November 2014 · Editor: Resident Margery Neill and Resident Andrew Hodge
New Residents:
We welcomed back Valerie Oliphant who has returned as a permanent resident on 30th October and hope Valerie that you quickly settle in and get to know us all again. For a short period of respite we welcomed Elizabeth Martin from Auchterarder and we hope she enjoyed her few days with us.
Birthday Wishes were celebrated last month by Sandy Arthur, Phoebe Coull and Irene Scobie and we wish each of them many happy returns of the day.
Staff News:
There is little to report this month , but the Gazette owes an apology to Caitlan Jack for incorrectly spelling her Christian name last month. It is Caitlan and not Caitland.
Craft Class:
The principle activity towards the end of the month was concentrated on the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal. Five shoe boxes were covered with ‘Christmasy’ paper and then each one was filled with items previously made by members of the Class–such as small Blankets, wooly hats and scarves—and a variety of items donated by residents and members of staff. With items remaining, Susie is arranging to complete a sixth box augmented by some tools – ie a hammer, a screw driver and perhaps a pair of pliers – especially for a gentleman. A big thank you to all who donated to this worthy cause.
Quiz Nights on Wednesday evenings are still popular and attendances are increasing.
The Musical Afternoon on Monday 20th last month was very successful and very much enjoyed. It so happened that, due to illness, the couple who were originally booked was replaced by Bruce Davis – a singer with guitar – who had an excellent repertoire. He entertained us with Scottish songs, songs by the Minstrels and by Jim Reeves.
Used Stamps:
The little appeal in last month’s Gazette has not gone unrewarded! Lots of stamps suddenly appeared in the Used Stamp Box and have already been trimmed with very few rejections. It is important to leave plenty of envelope paper, if possible, around each stamp so that, after trimming, at least 1cm (a quarter of an inch) remains.
Church Services
Rev K. Buwert of the Church of Scotland on Tuesday 28th October at 2.30pm in the Large Lounge.
A date for the Episcopal Church Service will be announced when known.
The Rev. Andrew Barton is about to move to a church in the south of England and we wish him well and thank him for his faithful services to Wardside House residents. His successor, when appointed, will hopefully continue with our Friday Services.
Hear is an interesting story which appeared in the Gazette almost three years ago but is worth repeating since there have been so many new residents since then who would be interested.
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish Farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help from a nearby bog.
There, mired to his waist in black mud, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy whom farmer Fleming had saved. “I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life”. “No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.
“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Yes” the farmer replied proudly.
“Then I’ll make you a deal” said the nobleman.” Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.”
And he did.
Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son, who was saved from the bog, was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? – Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? – Lord Randolph Churchill.
His son’s name? – Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: “What goes around comes around”.
Wardside House, Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire PH5 2AS.Tele. No: 01764 681 275www.wardsidehouse.com