Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group
Newsletter
25th. September 2014
ROSE IS MOVING ON
We recently received this message from Rose Southby, known to many of our members for her outstanding role in the Urology Department: “In one month’s time I will be leaving the OUH Trust to join Bucks Healthcare Trust. I will be continuing in my role as a Uro/Oncology CNS but will have additional responsibilities as I will be the Uro/Oncology team leader with managerial responsibilities as well , which is good for my personal development.”
It goes without saying that we shall miss Rose enormously. Not only has she advised and treated so many of our members on their cancer journey, she was also instrumental in setting up OPCSG and has supported us from the start. She leaves with all our good wishes for success and enjoyment in her new role. OPCSG plans to make a gift to Rose to mark her leaving and the gratitude for her work. If you would like to make a contribution please send a cheque made out to ‘OPCSG’ with ‘Rose’ written on the reverse to George Goldsmith, 2 Ridgeway Court, Wolage Drive, Wantage, OX12 9NP.
WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS IN MANY AREAS
Here are two ways in which you could help OPCSG:
- Become a member of the committee and contribute ideas and views, and help to organise events. Please contact us if you feel that you can contribute. New committee members will definitely be needed in 2015.
- Help at external events such as the Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride (28 September), Banbury Boat Day (5 October), and Oxford Round Table Fireworks (8 November) – see below for event details. If you can help at any of these events please contact John Goldsmith on 01865 580152 or George Goldsmith on 01235 763486.
AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS
28 September: the Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is a classic styled motorcycle event that gives prostate cancer a two-wheeled salute goodbye by raising awareness and supporting research into Men's Health by bringing together 'dapper' riders of classic machines, cafe racers, trackers, bobbers and custom motorcycles. All of the rides this year around the world will take place on Sunday 28th September. The Oxford ride will start at Pear Tree Services just north of Oxford city centre, ride into Oxford, then out towards Cowley, through Cowley High Street and back into Oxford then heading out towards the final destination at The Victoria Arms pub in Marston, which is a delightful venue on the banks of the river Cherwell. OPCSG will have a stand at the pub to spread awareness of PCa and our local role in supporting patients. Sounds fun! Why not come along to the Victoria Arms from about 12 noon when the riders will be arriving? Volunteers to help spread awareness – please contact us!
5 October: Banbury Boat Day. Further details available soon. Tell John Goldsmith if you can help.
8 November: Round Table Fireworks, South Park, Headington: We shall need at least a dozen collectors at the fireworks so please note the date and let us know nearer the time if you can help. It’s a big fundraiser for us – last year we raised £1120 in two hours. There will be a separate appeal for volunteers at a later date.
WHITE HORSE FAIR UFFINGTON
Five committee members and two of their spouses (aided in the afternoon by a group member who was also attending the event) spent a most enjoyable day at this country fair. We were kept very busy talking to men, their wives and partners about prostate cancer, and my impression was that we reached even more men than usual in the six hours we were active. Reactions varied: some men had scarcely heard of the disease and were happy to get basic information, some had already received treatment, some were aware but had taken no action. Most bizarre exchange of the day: “May I offer you some information about prostate cancer, sir, and the need to get checked?” “No, it’s Sunday.” So cancer never strikes on a Sunday???
FUTURE MEETINGS to be held at Oxford Golf Club from 6.30 p.m. onwards:
Monday 20 October: Paul Mayhew-Archer, script writer and comedian, will give an illustrated talk about his life in film, television and radio. Paul has been co-writer of 'The Vicar of Dibley' and is currently writing and filming the forthcoming TV film version of Roald Dahl's ‘Esio Trot’ starring Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench. This will be a hilarious evening of comic memories and anecdotes.
Saturday 6 December at 7 pm: Skittles evening at the Ferryman Inn, Bablock Hythe
Bablock Hythe is between Stanton Harcourt and Northmoor, west of Oxford. Post code for sat nav: OX29 5AT. We have a Choice of menu as follows: Chicken and chips/Fish and chips/Sausage and chips/a Vegetarian meal.
The price for the evening is £8-50 a head to include Food and Skittles. To reserve places please contact John Goldsmith, 01865 580152 or thegoldsmiths@talktalk.net.
Keep in touch with news and events on our website, http://www.opcsg.org/homepage, and let us know if you would like copies of our leaflets to give to people or display somewhere where they may be seen.
If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter please let me know on john@grundybell.demon.co.uk or 01865 730110
Kind regards,
John Grundy
Vice Chairman, OPCSG