Canterbury Trip

Sixteen of us had a lovely day out in Canterbury last Saturday, including time to explore the beautiful and historic Cathedral.

It was also lovely to meet up with former students

... Vinila and Vino

 

The Cathedral contains a mix of both traditional

and modern artwork

Thought for the week ...

Disability History Month

Watch out for the following events this month, these events are open to ALL MEDWAY STUDENTS, not just the University of Kent ...

World Toilet Day

... we need a toilet!

But billions of people don't have one.

This means that human faeces, on a massive scale, is not being captured or treated - contaminating the water and soil that sustain human life.

We are turning our environment into an open sewer.

We must build toilets and sanitation systems that work in harmony with ecosystems.

World Toilet Day is about nature-based solutions to our sanitation needs.

When nature calls we have to listen and act!!

You can also help by twinning your toilet, for just £60, so that a family or community, less fortunate than yourself can pee and poo in private!!

https://www.toilettwinning.org/ 

Thought for the week ...

Green Week Bargain Corner

This week we ran our Bargain Corner for two days, as it has been Green Week and we've been thinking about all things related to sustainability.

Thanks oodles to Kishan, Angel, Chris, Kailey and Frank who have helped out  ...  and encouraged people to spend some money.

We sold winter clothing, bedding, kitchen items (which now need replenishing), and books.

Once again we have been blown away by the amount we have sold, but also how grateful people are for a bargain :-)  We raised a grand total of ...

Save the Date :-)

Thought for the week ...

'You're next!!'

Did my first ever escape room experience last week, along with Hasem, Amira, Aiste and Basel.  Sadly, we didn't escape in the allotted time, we made a couple of really basic mistakes; but the guy in charge said it was a particularly hard one and for 'numpty beginners' we came pretty close to solving all the clues.  I think I might have the bug now, I  really want to do another one :-)

Fireworks Night

What is Fireworks Night all about??

Fireworks Night, also known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, in the United Kingdom. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives that had been placed beneath the House of Lords. 

Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London; and months later, the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure. 

The present-day Guy Fawkes Night is usually celebrated at large organised events, centred on a bonfire and fireworks display and providing a celebration for communities to come together.

 

Following this year's display, 27 of us gathered in St Mark's Church Hall for refreshments and games.  There was a small 'scuffle' (just kidding) over the use of the UNO cards, but fortunately I had two packs available :-)

This was the sedate table, in comparison
to the noisy UNO tables :-)

Thought for the week ...

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is part of modern British life,

culture and heritage. It is a particular feature of the public calendar each year when public, private, formal and informal Remembrance events take place throughout the UK.

Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 11 November 2018, is a day for the nation to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.

You are invited to join us at St Mark's Church, Gillingham on Sunday November 11th at 10:30am for this special 100th anniversary service. Do come early if you wish to get a seat.

Fears & Phobias

Can you match the following phobias with their correct meaning??
1. Coulrophobia is the fear of …

2. Xanthophobia is the fear of …

3. Turophobia is the fear of …

4. Metrophobia is the fear of …

5. Pogonophobia is the fear of …

6. Trypophobia is the fear of …

7. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of …

8. Selenophobia is the fear of …

9. Genuphobia is the fear of …

10.   Anuptaphobia is the fear of …

11.   Sesquipedalophobia is the fear of …

12.   Porphyrophobia is the fear of …

 

We then did an 'Agont Aunt' exercise in which each of the
eight groups were given a fear and they had to write a letter
asking for help. Letters were then passed to another group to
be answered. This one was my favourite ...

To whom it may concern.
Lately I realised that I have a fear of foreign people. 
I pass by many foreigners in my city and I feel 
very scared. Today I did not leave the house 
because I found I have foreign neighbours and 
I'm afraid to see them. This fear affects my life. 
I cannot take public transport and go to work. 
Please, I would like you to help me.
Kind regards,
A British Person

Dear British Person,

First of all, I would like to ask when was

the first time you experienced this fear?

Also, have you considered that the people

who live next door or the passengers on

the train are not actually foreigners.

Still, I an unsure what causes this fear.

I would suggest that you remember we

are all human, we are the same and

equal and have equal rights. Try to face

your fear by joining an international

society or have a cup of tea with your

neighbours and get to now them better.

It will help you a lot.

Best wishes,

your 'foreign' Agony Aunt

Thanks everyone for humouring me and joining in the
activities of the evening.

Here are the answers to the quiz above ...

ANSWERS
1. Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns

2. Xanthophobia is the fear of the colour yellow

3. Turophobia is the fear of cheese

4. Metrophobia is the fear of poetry

5. Pogonophobia is the fear of beards

6. Trypophobia is the fear of holes

7. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13

8. Selenophobia is the fear of the moon

9. Genuphobia is the fear of knees

10.  Anuptaphobia is the fear of being single

11.   Sesquipedalophobia is the fear of long words
12.   Porphyrophobia is the fear of the colour purple