Nature can improve one's mental health & wellbeing

I know... it ain't a new idea.  But it is worth reiterating relatively simple, low cost options we might adapt to our own circumstances & have a positive impact on our sense of wellbeing.

Nice article by ecotherapist Hayley Gillard in HuffPost UK here.

Black Country Living Museum

Well, what a lovely day out, away on the train to Tipton & the Black Country Living Museum.  Sadly, a couple of folk had to cry off because of knackered knees, but we had a small, beautifully crafted group of badly dressed blokes...

It started not too well, our timings meant no cooked breakfast before we went to Cannock station - & Neil really missed his 4 slices of toast & jam!  Well priced off peak return to Tipton, nice journey (change at New Street), then a brisk mile walk along busy Black Country roads to the museum.

I would urge you to go - especially if you travel by train & use the 2-for-1 offer available until the end of 2017 (check out this & similar offers here - download & print vouchers, present'em at the venue with your rail tickets) - the Museum is entertaining & informative.  I'd go back simply to look at the buildings...

There was an awful lot to see, but plenty of space & time to see it.  Shaun was somewhat 'challenged' by the demands of the smoking 'ban', & we really should have sat down a lot more (if only to shut Terry up moaning about his own knackered knee, & stop him wandering off every 10 minutes or so!)

Still, plenty of added extras, such as the historical vehicles dotted about the various buildings & driving around the site - we never did get on that coach - & I still want a go on their trams (have to check the BCLM website for dates).

 

Lunch proved a bit of a running affair.  We'd no sooner got there than Neil was all about the butties - missing his morning toast, you see?  Shaun had brought enough to feed the lot of us - & proceeded to try (the 'fish & chip' corn snacks went down especially well).  Jim shot off for a bag of historical chips: Rob & Terry followed his lead: lo & behold, there was more sharing!

With the guy forging chain, the living history staff, & the standing exhibitions, there was so much information we decided to spring for their most informative guide (we're mean & just bought the one, to share around...)

The gardens of the small cottages & houses were often little oases of calm & quiet &, on a lovely summers day out, might lead you to believe that outside plumbing, coal fires, incessant domestic drudgery, & a lifetime of hard, filthy work, before an early death, are the sorts of outcomes we should aspire to after Brexit - they ain't! 

One final thought: how come the Midlands, in the middle of the country, miles from the sea, has so many sea cadet groups?  The kids at TS Centaur (Dudley) even have Bofors guns... & look, proper davits!

The journey home was a bit of a mare, delayed trains, increasing numbers of delayed commuters, Terry moaning more... Rob had been sensible enough to bring a book!  Back into Cannock for 7.00pm, an hour+ late, tired, hungry, thirsty.  But, having enjoyed a fine excursion, we all agreed we'll do it again!  Maybe take the other 'knackered knee folk' with us.

Welcome back. It's been a while...

... but that doesn't mean the Club & it's members haven't been socially active & engaged.  Badminton continues to take place every Tuesday at Cannock leisure centre - none of us seem to be getting hugely more skillful, but we remain enthusiastic!  The Club has maintained it's monthly 'more formal' social event, while members, in varying permutations, get together with 'non-racquet sport' mates for curries & breakfasts, quizzes & snooker, across each week.

We remain encouraging of potential new members getting in touch to arrange a pop-in visit & introduction.

We are finding maintaining our social media presence a tad difficult (notice the gap since the last post), but will try harder to get more folk involved in that element of Club activity.

So, what specifically have we been up to?  A whole bunch o'stuff... 

January:  we plodded along with all that extra Christmas heft, basically using all our efforts just to play badz each week - I ain't saying there weren't a good few curries downed over the month, but I only had one!

February:  the Annual BDBC Lunch - we love a carvery & an afternoon's blether!

March:  along to the All England Open Championships in Birmingham, on a rather balmy spring day, with stunning 2nd round play.

  











... this is just for Rob, who didn't make it to the All England, but might need to feed his Lin Dan mancrush

April:  guess which Badminton Club went out for lunch & stuffed their faces with mixed meats & massive puddings?

May:  a little out of our comfort zone this month, as 7 members piled into a taxi for the 16 mile journey to RAF Museum Cosford.  Another grand day out, especially for The Two Robs our aerospace wonks.  Surprisingly enough, a wee motorcycle seemed to be the group's favourite exhibit.

June:  'twas total balls this month... an afternoon's 10 pin bowling in Bloxwich.  There's a whole heap of room for improvement - Gav has great hand-eye co-ordination but gets a tad too excited, while Shaun began with a serious first game win, then went on to win the Not-a-single-pin-down Trophy.  Good fun though...

 

You'll be hearing from us again, very soon.  So, watch this space...

Cannock Leisure Centre Christmas Cocks

Hi happy Badly Dressed folk, please note the Leisure Centre is closed Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th December , & for the rest of that week will open from 7am to 4pm. On Monday 2nd January the Centre is also open 7am to 4pm, with regular hours re-commencing on Tuesday 3rd.

The Club will not meet to play Tuesday 27th, otherwise it's cocks as usual. I guess there may be a social breakfast or pub option between individual members on 27th, I suggest you ram your ear against the grapevine (or ask Neil if that's easier!)

Have a good'un...

Badly Dressed Christmas Curry

... mmmmmm! We can hardly wait for the Big Christmas Club Nosh Down: Neil will be booking a large table at the Dilshad for Tuesday 20th December, so get in touch with him to confirm your attendance asap - family & friends of members are of course welcome (again, confirm anyone who wishes to come along with Neil). 

Gotta be some of the best Festive Fare in the area... so, don't be bashful - get in touch, get it booked!

See you at the tinselly-trough...

ANTI-BULLYING WEEK 2016: Online abuse & bullying hugely increase...

... in recent years kids as young as 7yrs have told ChildLine counsellors of online abuse & torment. As an adult, someone not brought up in this digital, social media age, it can be very difficult to appreciate how young people are 'locked in' to the demands & effects of mobile / internet contact: we simply had a front door, & everything that happened behind that was down to our parents... how times have changed! 

This is Anti-Bullying Week & in 2016 the NSPCC identifies online bullying as becoming the main reason youngsters contact ChildLine, with 33% calls relating to being 'picked on' via social media & gaming sites: 24/7 access & trolling is fast becoming a 'twist to the bullies knife', with children feeling they cannot escape the negative impact by simply being at home. 

NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless says: “Online bullying is one of the biggest child protections challenges of this generation... a problem intensified by the ever-increasing presence of the internet. Years ago a child could escape their bullies when they left the playground and get some respite in the safety of their home, now the 24/7 nature of the internet means that a child can be targeted around the clock. Bullying, regardless of whether it occurs online or in person can have a devastating impact on a young person, affecting their self-worth, leave them feeling isolated and potentially being a trigger for depression.

In the worst case scenarios, bullying has driven children and young people to self-harm and even suicide.”

One young girl told ChildLine she woke scared to go to school everyday, about the comments people made & about walking home: “Then I get in & log on to my social networking site & there are horrible messages everywhere... It’s like there is no escaping the bullies. I’m struggling to cope with how upset I feel so sometimes I cut myself just to have a release but it’s not enough. I can’t go on like this.”

Simon Leggett, research director, ChildWise, says: “Over the last 5 years, children’s access to internet-connected portable devices has increased rapidly, along with wider access to the internet out & about & in their own rooms. Their use of social media has likewise increased, exposing them to more potential online dangers.”

There is some very useful information on the NSPCC website about Bullying & Cyber-bullying. Indeed, they have launched a youtube video aimed at helping kids help friends they suspect are being bullied.

Nick Harrop, Campaigns Manager, YoungMinds, says: “Because of social media, young people feel under pressure to live their lives in public, to present a personal ‘brand’ from a young age, & seek reassurance in the form of likes & shares. Trolling & cyberbullying have also become a fact of life for many, & can have a devastating effect on self-esteem... But it’s important to remember the online world also offers huge emotional benefits, & many young people with mental health conditions see social media as an essential way to reach out for support.”

The advice for children & young people experiencing bullying includes:

• Tell an adult you can trust; a parent, relative, or teacher
• Call ChildLine for advice & support on 0800 1111
• If online, don’t be afraid to block & report any person you feel might be bullying you
• Don’t react, show bullies you don’t care (even if you do) & they will often get bored & lose interest

NSPCC’s Childline website has an area dedicated to online abuse / bullying www.childline.org.uk for young folk to share experiences & give support to their peers through message boards.

Children & young people can contact ChildLine for free, confidential support & advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk

Badly Dressed Christmas Lunch

Booked it, all you lot gotta do is turn up & eat it...

Thursday 8th December, midday, Taylors
(talk to Neil or Terry if you haven't confirmed)

Christmas is coming... be afraid... be very afraid!