BRIDPORT

'One more step along the road we go' in the 29th year of our club, as we write on New Years Day 2008 of the activities of our club in 2007. We are grateful for another successful and happy year with increasing membership. However, our happiness has been tinged with sadness by the loss of a much loved loyal helper Sylvia Douglas and two members Naomi Mahoney and Betty Syms all of who died during the year. Of necessity, we spent 10 weeks away from our usual home whilst it was being completely refurbished and although we were grateful to Magna for providing us with another place to meet some of our members did miss the familiar homely atmosphere of Vernons Court.

Our meetings have continued weekly (except for Jan and Aug) these take the form of a simple exercise session followed by refreshments and then a talk or quiz or games or some form of entertainment. Roughly every six weeks we have an outing. Some coffee morning outings were to familiar venues, but with two we ventured forth to new ones. In the spring sunshine we sat drinking our coffee overlooking the lovely Jurassic hills at the Egg Cup, Swyre and later in the year visited the Sawmills Café, Mapperton again a lovely spot further inland, where we enjoyed refreshments with the delightful company of little hens and bantams clucking around us. A truly rural scene.

Our Annual Outing was to the Blue Pool and was much enjoyed, as was the Christmas Shopping Trip to Wyevale Garden Centre with a sandwich lunch. Christmas lunch was again enjoyed by all at theO'Crumbs, Bridport. This was followed by our Christmas Party where following ³pass the parcel² and usual Christmas fare we were entertained by the Bride Valley Ladies Choir with Christmas music and songs some of which were ³sing along² with. Thompson Volunteer of the Year Award² for her 23 years of dedicated service to our club. We congratulate and thank her. We also thank our loyal helpers, County Office staff, Marilyn, D.A.D. Ambulance Staff ­ Heather, Hazel and Norman for their willing help throughout the year and to our cheerful members for the contribution they have made to the smooth running and happiness of the club.

As we look forward to 2008 we send our best wishes to all other D.A.D. clubs for a successful and happy 2008