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EVENTS

AGM 2008

The AGM this year was held at the Hassocks Hotel, a venue that several members took advantage of and enjoyed a very good pub lunch before the meeting. Attendance this year was much better than of late and much attention was paid to the suppliers and their displays.

The business side went as usual with the committee being re-elected with yours truly remaining as Secretary. Also, as usual, we are still short of a Chair Person. If anyone fancies the task, please get in touch. Two of the region’s Stoma Nurses gave a quick run down of the government’s proposed changes to the way the suppliers get paid for our bags etc. They promised to write an article for the next newsletter so that everyone can get the information and what it actually means to you and me.

We ended the afternoon with the usual raffle which my wife was very happy with as I won a box of chocolates. Tea and biscuits were also eagerly consumed along with chats to most of the members.
Please keep coming and support you local committee.
Dave Drakeley
Secretary  Sussex IA

Brighton Night Out

Seven of us from the IA forum decided to meet up in Brighton on Sat the 9th Dec.
It was Hydra (Michelle), Rachel who is a national young ia member, Ginger (Janet), Big Jim (Jim) and me (KiraNarise).
We met at  the pier at 7pm and went to the Fiddlers Elbow for a drink.  At 8pm we went on to Wokmania and had a lovely meal and a good chat till it was time for some of us to get back (I had a long way to drive as I took my car) although Hydra and Ginger decide to stay in town till about 4am.
It was a good night and a good chance to talk to other people who have been through this experience, although two of them had successfully had the pouch op.  It was good to swap stories.

We are going to be having another trip to Brighton in June where we will make a bit of a day of it.  You will be able to bring partners and kids as well if you want and have fish and chips on the beach if the weather permits.

Kelly Woodhouse
Sussex ia Young Persons Representative

50th Anniversary Celebration Race Day

It all started when the committee suggested that we arrange something to celebrate ia’s 50th anniversary. Heads were scratched and Jacquie Denyer (one of our committee members at the time) was sort of volunteered to come up with ideas. Jacquie was our resident events manager so did have some professional knowledge of what was expected.
Several weeks later Jacquie come up with several ideas and although the cost of the race day was slightly high, we agreed to go with it, as it seemed an unusual but interesting social event.
Jacquie managed to get us a fantastic deal on the cost of the day through her contacts and all was set. At least that was what we all thought.

The first thing to add confusion was the idea of upgrading the basic sandwich and crisp meal package to canapés to make it a bit more special. This would have put the cost up considerably but the idea of getting sponsorship for the extra was agreed upon. I asked a couple of the suppliers with no luck. That was until NC2006 where I bumped into Brian from Fittleworth. He is the rep for my part of the country and during a conversation I asked about any chances of them sponsoring us. This was met quite favourably helped by his bosses being at the meeting. I soon got the answer I was after. Another step closer to our goal.

Unfortunately things took a slight backward step when Jacquie said she was moving away from the area due to a change in job and could no longer look after the race day event. This left muggins, yours truly, to carry on with the job. As if I hadn’t got enough to do with decorating etc. at home. Still, everything eventually fell into place and the day dawned albeit with not as many takers as we had hoped for.
The day started for me by picking Anne Demick (our National Secretary) and her husband up from Gatwick and driving down to the racecourse.
The weather going down wasn’t very good and the steward in the car park at the racecourse said that the cloud base was so low only a short while beforehand that the races were almost called off. However the sun showed signs of poking its head out from between the clouds and gradually got brighter as the afternoon progressed.

We got our badges and made our way up to the box. What a view. We were on the top floor of the stand with a brilliant view of the whole of the course and just back from the winning post. We had our own balcony and bar with the tote only a few yards away. You could also see the Marina, which later on was bathed in bright sunlight. A really wonderful sight.

Our badges gave us access to anywhere, even the winner’s enclosure/ parade ring, which meant we could have a good look at the runners before the race. My wife chose which one to bet on by its looks. This method actually paid off by her getting 2 firsts and a second. Not bad for a total beginner unlike myself (another horse racing virgin) who came away definitely worse off than when I started.
We had canapés delivered to the box which were very tasty and kept the hunger wolf at bay, which along with a few drinks made the whole thing very pleasant and civilised.
I have to extend my thanks to Brian from Fittleworth who not only sponsored the day but kept everyone amused by managing to lose, I think, every race. A fun guy to have around.
Everyone had a great time choosing their horses for each race and either went to the Tote next door or ventured down to the trackside bookies. I had never bet on anything at a bookies before so this was a whole new experience. The only thing to beware of was the minimum bet taken by each bookie. This varied along the line but also changed throughout the afternoon. It nearly caught out a few of us.
Anne Demick did her usual brilliant social bit by getting everyone involved and even won one of the great prizes that Jacquie had secured. I think Tony Mason (our Treasurer) and his wife Carol had the best luck by winning 5 out of 6 races as I think did Donald, another of our members. A great day out with many thanks again to Fittleworth.

If you are stuck for something to organise as a special occasion, then try a day at the races. It’s not too hard to organise especially as the racecourses have events organisers and it is a really brilliant day out.

Dave Drakeley
Secretary
Sussex ia

FUTURE EVENTS

East Surrey Hospital Open Day

East Surrey Hospital are holding an Open Day on Saturday November 18th from 10am til 1pm.

It will be in the Post Graduate Centre. Dave Drakeley will be there to represent ia and I'm sure there will be lots of suppliers. Come and see us and have a chat.