FOREWARD
DORSET ASSOCIATION FOR THE DISABLED
(Branches throughout Dorset,Bournemouth and Poole)

D.A.D. County Office
Unit 18A Enterprise Park,
Piddlehinton
Nr. Dorchester,
Dorset
DT2 7UA
Tel/Fax: 01305 849122
Email: dad.hq@tesco.net
Registered Charity No 202524

The Dorset Association for the Disabled, affiliated to RADAR, was set up in 1951 to provide additional services and social amenities for people with disabilities in the county of Dorset. It has always aimed to complement and supplement services provided by statutory welfare authorities, with whom the association liaises closely. Fourteen branches all over the county give help and information to people with disabilities and to their carers.

The Association incorporates Swanage Tapes who provide a monthly magazine of local interest in audio cassette format delivered personally to housebound people with disabilities living in or around the Swanage area.

Voluntary Branch Committees run social (and some handicraft) clubs, outings, a visiting service to housebound people and an advisory service to disabled members and families in many varied ways. Several branches own minibuses adapted with powered tail-lifts and manned entirely by voluntary drivers and escorts. Branches raise funds for their local activities by Flag Days, sales of work, coffee mornings, car boot sales, raffles etc.,

County Office arranges an Annual Carol Service and a Biennial Handicraft Exhibition and Sales all regarded by the members as social reunions with other branches. The Dorset Directory of Services for Disabled People is researched and published every two to three years as is the Dorset Loo Guide. A public telephone information service is available (answerphone after office hours).

County Office's ongoing concern is funding for D.A.D.'s work which is principally by public generosity in donations both large and small. All contributions are more than welcome and gift aid tax on donations is recovered wherever possible.

Any disabled person living in the County of Dorset may join D.A.D. A small annual subscription entitles them to all D.A.D.'S services plus a four monthly Newsletter of local, regional and national interest to disabled people. Associate Members are parents, relatives and friends of disabled people or anyone else concerned to support the needs of people with disabilities.

Further information can be obtained from The Dorset Association for the Disabled, Unit 18A Enterprise Park, Piddlehinton, Nr Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7UA Tel/Fax: 01305 849122 or alternatively contact your nearest Branch Secretary whose name and address appears in this book.

HONORARY OFFICERS FOR 2008

Presidents
The Yetties

Vice-Presidents
Major General David Egerton CB. OBE.,MC.,
Miss P. Henry

Chairman
Mr Les Phillips MBE

Vice-Chairman
Mrs Jackie Sherfield

Treasurer
Mr Geoff Grigg

Hon. Solicitor
Mr Robert Unwin

County Office
Unit 18A Enterprise Park
Piddlehinton,
Nr Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 7UA
Tel/Fax: 01305 849122
Email: dad.hq@tesco.net

Social Services Representatives
Dorset Social Services ­ Mr Chris Kippax
Borough of Poole Social Services ­ Mr John Dermody
Bournemouth Borough Council Social Services ­ Mr Geoff Colvin
County Council Representative
Chair Social Services Overview Committee ­ Mr David Crowhurst

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THE YETTIES REPORT

Our yearly work, these days, tends to start at a fairly leisurely pace. Not that I'm complaining, you understand, life on the road in January and February can be fraught at times. Then it builds up gradually, finishing in a bit of a crescendo at Christmas and New Year 2007. followed this format but there was added spice because in August, at Sidmouth Folk Festival, we were presented with Gold Badges, for services to folk music, by the English Folk Dance and Song Society. They don't give these out willy nilly so it was quite an honour and we had a cracking concert to celebrate.

In October we celebrated 40 years as professional musicians in Yetminster. We hired the village hall for three nights and had two concerts and a ceilidh (knees up). Bob Common, who left the band at the end of 1979 still lives in Yetminster and came along with his drum kit to play for the dancing so it was a great reunion as well as a good night. People came from all over the place, Denmark, France and even South Africa for the occasion and the good will flowed. It was all very enjoyable and, I confess, I spent most of the weekend in a daze.

We sang a few songs for Sherborne Branch at Christmas time and I've been to a couple more meetings elsewhere to do talks and have a chat with members. I'm not sure who tells the best stories, me or you. I've discovered there's always some nonsense to b e gleaned and a laugh to be had at D.A.D. gatherings and that¹s just the way it should be. All the best for the coming year. Bonny Sartin The Yetties

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CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

We had a good 2006/2007 year completing a very high proportion of the tasks we set ourselves at D.A.D. for the year. We have continued to improve the services headquarters offers to our Branches. My thanks to Marilyn our Administrative Officer and to Geoff our Treasurer and Jan our excellent Volunteer.

I would like to thank all helpers and drivers throughout the County whose help we can not do without. Once again our Carol Service at Parkstone was a success albeit the Congregation was down due to the terrible weather we had on that day.

The Christmas Party was enjoyed by all at County Office and we had a very good turnout at our Annual General Meeting in October. We are looking forward to this year¹s Handicraft in Wimborne on the 23rd June so please start painting and knitting.

I welcome our new Vice-Chairman, Jackie Sherfield she has added to the Association, with previous knowledge of working with people with disabilities.

Thank you to Harold Swain our Senior Trustee and wish him a speedy recovery back to good health. I am looking forward to meeting you all in 2008. I wish all our members a very successful year.

Leslie M Phillips, M.B.E. Chairman

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VICE-CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Early last year I was asked if I would help with editing the quarterly Association Newsletter. Since then I have enjoyed producing what, I hope, will develop into an interactive publication for members to make their voices heard and their views and experiences shared.

Later in the year, at the A.G.M., I was delighted to be invited to be Vice-Chairman of the Association and I look forward to working with everyone at County Office to support the officers, members and volunteers of our branches in the terrific job they do to improve and enhance the lives of disabled people throughout Dorset. I am proud to be associated with an organisation that goes from strength to strength and look forward to meeting members from around the County during the coming months.

Mrs Jackie Sherfield Vice-Chairman

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TREASURER'S REPORT

The year of 2007 passed well with only a few anxious moments for us at headquarters, the national savings that Bournemouth Branch lost track of was recovered finally so all matters concerning that branch was concluded. At a later date it will be considered if it would be viable to resurrect another branch in the Bournemouth area.

With regards to fund raising by Headquarters, applications were made to various places but nothing was forthcoming. At the Christmas party a raffle as usual with the ³number squares², was successful for us, and a number of the Association members won some very nice prizes. The event raised £300.00 so thank you to all those who entered into the spirit of the draw, perhaps next year a few more branches will have a go as well? Jan Godfrey held a Chocoholic party at her home, the proceeds of which, her commission, she gave to headquarter funds. Thank you for that Jan.

At present all branches are doing very well as regards to their fund raising, running their own transport, and having social occasions as well, it is nice to see that Branch members are united throughout the County to the one aim of keeping the Association up and running.

Wishing you and the Association a prosperous year with many thanks from all concerned.

Mr Geoff Grigg Treasurer

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BRANCH OFFICERS 2007

Bridport and Beaminster

Meetings: Bridport -Vernon Court, Off South Street, Bridport
Every Wednesday 10 a.m.- 12 noon, except January and August

Beaminster St. Mary's Garden, Beaminster
Every Tuesday 10 a.m.- 12 noon except January and August
Club Organiser: Mrs Jill Stapley,
Storridge Hill Cottage,
Beaminster DT8 3NW
Tel: 01308 862654

Christchurch

Meetings: Portfield Hall, Portfield Road, Christchurch, Dorset
Every Monday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Membership Secretary - As Secretary

Dorchester

Meetings: Acland Road Day Centre, Dorchester Dorset
First and Third Thursday of each month 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Poole

Meetings: Fourways Day Centre, Constitution Hill Road, Poole
Tuesdays fortnightly 7.30 p.m.- 9.30 p.m.
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Portland

Meetings: St. Georges Centre, Reform, Portland
2nd and 4th Thursday each month 10.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m,
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Shaftsbury

Meetings: Trinity Centre, Bimport, Shaftesbury
First Friday of each month 7.30 p.m.
Membership Secretary: As Chair

Sherborne

Meetings: Manor Court Community Hall, Newlands, Sherborne
First Wednesday of each month 7 p.m.
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Sturminster Newton

Meetings: The Plough Inn, Manston For lunch at 12pm for 12.30pm last Friday of Marnhull Last Friday of each month. Outings May - September dates and times as Dorset DT10 1JL

Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Swanage

Meetings: Handiclub - Catholic Hall - Rempstone Street, Swanage
Happy Circle - Queens Mead Hall, Queens Road, Swanage
Alternate Mondays 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Membership Secretary: Mrs Doreen Booth, 190 Kings Road West, Swanage BH19 1HT
Tel: 01929 424467

Swanage Tapes

Verwood

Meetings: Royal British Legion Hall, Moorlands Road, Verwood
First Thursday of each month 2.30pm -Three Legged Cross
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Wareham

Meetings: Carey Hall, Mistover Road, Carey, Wareham
First Tuesday of each month 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Weymouth

Meetings: Crossroads Community Centre, Chickerell Road, Weymouth
Alternate Mondays 7.30 p.m.- 9.30 p.m.
Membership Secretary: As Secretary

Wimborne and Ferndown

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