Newsletter ¦ 23rd December 2022
Happy Christmas from the Jubilee Centre. I hope this email finds you well. In this Christmas newsletter, we tell of gifts being shared and announce special guest appearances at our Jacob’s Feast on Wednesday. We end the email with a special Christmas poem from Jill.
A Royal Gift to Age UK Bury
Age UK Bury has been gifted a tree by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
To mark the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee, a sculpture called the “Tree of Trees' was erected outside Buckingham Palace. The 70-foot-high sculpture consisted of 80 steel “branches” holding 350 trees in aluminium pots, bearing the Queen's cypher. Once the Jubilee Celebrations ended, Buckingham Palace announced that the 350 trees would be gifted to organisations and community groups across the United Kingdom.
Greater Manchester received 12 trees and Age UK Bury was nominated to receive a young Rowan tree for its services to older people in Bury. The tree now sits next to the Jubilee Centre, facing the beautiful Clarence Park Lido.
On behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Karan Lee presented the Tree to Andy Hazeldine, Chief Officer of Age UK Bury.
Andy Hazeldine said “We are grateful to receive a special 'Tree of Trees' which will serve as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty's outstanding service to her country and people. It is an honour that our charity has been chosen to receive a tree and it is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our staff and volunteers who support older people in Bury”.
Our thanks go to Emma and our wonderful community Choir for giving The Mayor of Bury and the Deputy Lieutenant such a warm welcome to the Jubilee Centre for the presentation of the tree.
Gifts from Crown Oil
The wonderful people at Crown Oil donated £650 enabling us to create Christmas hampers. Our team delivered them last week and there were plenty of tears of joy. Thank you to Crown Oil for your support this Christmas time.
Jacob’s Feast at the Jubilee Centre
On Wednesday 28th December at noon, we are holding a Jacob’s Feast at the Jubilee Centre.
We are asking everyone to bring along a contribution of food for the feast. All contributions must be bought from the shop and wrapped as we can not accept goods made at home for Health and Safety reasons. Alternatively, you can donate £7 towards the sandwiches, which will be provided by the café.
Sally Rivers will be making a guest appearance, singing festive Christmas songs. Sally is a voice coach for some of the biggest stars in music, having worked with Celine Dion, Cher, Lady Gaga, and many more. She is also the female vocalist for Britain’s No1 Meatloaf tribute band.
Jill Pemberton, our resident poet, will also be appearing to entertain us all.
We are grateful that Sally and Jill can join us for our special feast.
Please note that the conservatory café will be only serving soup and sandwiches on this day for those who don’t wish to join the party.
Member’s News
Last week, we made mention of the passing of Irene Allen, a long-standing member at the Jubilee Centre. At the weekend, it became public knowledge that Irene had been involved in a tragic car accident on Walmersley Road. https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/23205628.inquest-opens-death-much-loved-bury-woman-hit-van/
Irene’s daughter, Melanie wrote a really nice message to us and I wanted to share it here.
“I wish to say on behalf of my Mum, Irene Allen, thank you very much for bringing Mum’s life so much pleasure in later years. She always loved being at the centre of the community when she was a doctor’s receptionist at Ribblesdale House and the Jubilee Centre became her next community on retirement. What happened to Mum was awful. We as a family are devastated as I know that some of you are too. The police are investigating what happened and that will take due course. However, it will be nicer to remember Mum on the Jubilee Centre committee, at the Keep Fit class or with Wednesday or Friday walkers – these were some of her happiest days. Thank you to all for making them so.”
Ring and Ride
Some members at the Jubilee Centre have told us about the difficulties they experience when they use the Ring and Ride service.
Jackie Beaumont, Service Delivery Manager for Ring and Ride in the Manchester Area, has kindly offered to come to the Jubilee to find out more. She will be at the Jubilee Centre at 1.00 pm on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.
All are welcome to join us.
Age UK Bury Christmas Hours
The Jubilee Centre, our Café and our services will be closed on Friday 23rd December, Monday 26th December, Tuesday 27th December and Monday 2nd January.
Our charity shops on the Rock and in Ramsbottom will be open on Friday 23rd December and will be closed on Saturday 24th December, reopening on Wednesday 28th December. On Saturday 31st December both will close for the afternoon, allowing staff and volunteers to be with their families to see in the New Year.
Activities at the Jubilee Centre over Xmas & New Year
We have produced a special timetable which lists when activities finish and when they start again in the New Year.
Between Xmas and New Year, there will be no activities except our Jacob’s Feast and Line Dancing on Friday 30th December.
Download the Xmas Timetable here
Support over Christmas and the New Year
Although our services are closed down, there is always help available if you are struggling this Christmas.
- Age UK Information Line: 0800 678 1602 - Free information & advice. Available from 8am-7pm every day of the year, including Christmas Day.
- The Silver Line: 0800 4 70 80 90 - Free confidential friendship, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Bury Samaritans 116 123 - Call free any time. 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Next Newsletter
Our next newsletter will be out next Friday with the names of the winners of the 100 Club. Please send any news to news@ageukbury.org.uk
Happy Christmas to one and all.
Andy and all at Age UK Bury
