Posted By Stella Gooch
Photos by Stella Gooch
Community Lunch inside marquee at Coach & Horses
July’s Dersingham Community Lunch was kindly hosted by Sheila Roythorne and her team at the Coach & Horses Public House here in Dersingham. The Coach & Horses staff had set up a marquee in the garden to complement the new brightly coloured bench seating which usually stands in the child friendly beer garden and the setting was most agreeable. The weather even added to the enjoyment as we just managed to enjoy our lunch before we had a summer shower.
Seating arrangements were very ad hoc and dining was al fresco so we sat where the wont took us. My table included Ann Pope, the Headteacher of St Georges School and Joy Savill and Val Loades, both of Hawkins Solicitors. Ms Pope was contemplating her end of year speech to her school later than afternoon and Ms Savill and Ms Loades gave me the benefit of their legal experience whilst I introduced myself and talked about my newest “baby”: Dersingham-On-Line.
Tony Bubb addresses the community lunch guests
Once we were all settled and had had a chance to sample an impressive variety of buffet fayre provided by the Coach & Horses, Bob Tipling welcomed everyone to the lunch and announced that Dersingham-On-Line was now launched and well underway in its development. He invited lunch attendees to visit the site at www.norfolk-on-line.co.uk/dersingham/pages/index.php or www.dersingham-on-line.co.uk to trawl through and convey any comments back to me, Stella Gooch, the webmaster.
Next up was Tony Bubb to remind everyone that the closing date for entries into the Village Voice photo competition was 1 September and requested that as many as possible sent in their best contributions on the subject of “Dersingham Wildlife”. In addition the Best Front Garden nominations were due to close at the same time. Tony also requested any corrections for Dersingham Data be received no later than 5 August.
Tom Morris addresses the lunch guests
Our key speaker for this Community Lunch was Tom Morris – our own newly decorated MBE recipient – and representative of The Carole Brown Health Centre Patients’ Participation Group. Tom was warmly welcomed amongst the group and gave some background to the history of the Dersingham PPG today which – like most PPGs – began life as a result of the National Health Service realising that its focus was around medical areas and not enough around patients.
Originally our PPG was formed as an off-shoot of the Flower Club and was pushed forward by our well known local GP, the late Dr Carole Brown. The new PPG was to be a joint venture between patients, medics and nurses and was open to all patients in the Carole Brown Health Centre.
Community Lunch 22 July 2010
When the Gayton Road Health Centre practice assumed responsibility for the Dersingham Surgery, which at that time was part of the Heacham Group Practice, and following the death of Dr Carole Brown, it was decided that the surgery premises next to the Dersingham Infants School were inadequate to meet the needs of its users. Thus the health centre was rebuilt in its present location at St Nicholas Court. It was originally planned that a number of medical facilities would be incorporated into the enlarged space but this ambition was limited by financial constraints. Instead we have an excellent new butchers, a solicitors, a hair and beauty salon and other business services. However, an endoscopy facility was recently added so that patients did not need to go to Kings Lynn – this may expand if there is sufficient need for its services.
Tom explained that PPG meetings (attendance usually around 30-40) were generally held every 6-8 weeks and aimed to examine what is positive as well as negative about our health services. Speakers were often arranged to speak at these meetings with subject matters focussing mainly on health matters.
Guests dine at brightly painted tables
Tom pointed out that the PPG consisted of:
- patients registered at The Carole Brown Health Centre
- medical, nursing and non-medical staff of The Carole Brown Health Centre
- executive and practice managers
Tom outlined the activities of the PPG which were to:
- look after the community by drawing attention to strengths and weaknesses in the provision of health care in the area
- look after ourselves by arranging talks on health matters or interest to all sections of the community
- look after the surgery by providing feedback to, and interchanging views with the medical and non-medical staff attached to the surgery
- fundraising to enhance and improve the medical, nursing and patient facilities at The Carole Brown Health Centre (eg the PPG raised £1,000 for the Community Car Scheme).
Tom stressed that all members of The Carole Brown Health Centre community were encouraged to join the PPG and admission was FREE!
Ding alfresco in the shelter at Coach & Horses
The raffle was duly drawn as usual and it was declared that a total of £90 was raised from it with £45 going to the WI and £45 to Dersingham Flower Club.
The next Dersingham Community Lunch was announced as being sponsored by Lynntony Restaurants who trade as McDonalds. This will take place at the St Nicholas Church Hall on Friday, 10 September 2010 where we are to enjoy sampling the fine food of The Coach & Horses once again.