Camphill Community Milton-Keynes

Tech Lab

2012-03-07T00:08:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of Tech Lab that happen on Tuesday and Thursday in the resident social room at Camphill Milton Keynes. Last year the residents did a sponsored walk around one of the lakes in Willen to raise money to buy some laptop computers so they could do some training on them.

Thomas showing his slide show presentation.

Mandy showing her slide show.

Nadezda with Mandy and Thomas with their certificates.

Mark with his certificate and Bethany

Alex Fox

Interview with Chloe Allason

2012-02-28T23:49:00.000-08:00

Name
Chloe Allason

Age
I just turned 30 on the 23rd of February.

How long have you lived in the community?
Ten years. Before Camphill Milton Keynes, I was in Thornbury and Mount.

What house do you live in?
When I first stayed here I lived in Oberlin, although now I live in Appleyard.

What workshops do you do? (which one do you like the most)?
I am in food processing and I like that the most, but I also do cafe, newsletter, theatre and baskets. Actually I have quite a busy week.

What responsibilities do you have in your house?
We take it in turns to lock up and sometimes I clean the bathroom and hoovering.

What do you do at weekends?
Sometimes I go to the city centre and once a month I go to the cinema. I ride my bike.

Would you like to share anything with this newsletter?
I want to be more independent.

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Chloe Allason

2012-02-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Chloe Allason who lives in Appleyard House who was 30 on Thursday 23rd February 2012.

Chloe Allason

Chloe's birthday cake

Alex Fox

Valentine's Party on 19th February 2012

2012-02-21T23:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of a Valentine's Party resident's and co-worker's had in the Chrysalis Theatre on 19th February.

Saint Valentine's Day, often simply Valentine's Day,is observed on February 14 each year. Today Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, mostly in the West, although it remains a working day in all of them.

The original "St. Valentine" was just a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saint's named Valentinus. All the modern romantic connotations were added several centuries later by poets. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to 14th February, and added to later martyrologies.

Poster

Co-workers dressed up

Making masks

Anthony and Joe wearing masks

Listening to karaoke

Preparing party food

Having party food

Happy Valentine's Day

Alex Fox

Farewell to Park

2012-02-14T23:53:00.000-08:00

Farewell to Park from South Korea who leaves on 20th February. He has been a co-worker living in Sunwood House in Camphill Milton Keynes. We had a farewell meal on 12th February at Zizzi, an Italian Restaurant in Milton Keynes.

Park and Amy

Zizzi, an Italian restaurant in Milton Keynes

A group photo

Alex Fox

Indie Group Get-together

2012-02-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

These are some photos of the Talkback Indie Group that went to the Ship Ashore Pub in Willen, Milton Keynes on Monday 6th February 2012.

Poster

The Ship Ashore

Jay

Eleanor

Nigel

Michaela

Alex Fox

Candlemas

2012-02-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

Of the various Christian holy days that take place throughout the year, Candlemass (or Candelaria), on February 2nd, may be one of the least well-known ceremonies in the Christian world. Evangelical Protestants do not count it as a major observance, while Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Greek Orthodox churches hold it in high esteem.
The celebration of Candlemass originated in the late fifth century as a tribute to the light of God's glory that was manifested in Christ Jesus. The earliest known observance within the Church was in the year AD 496, during the time of Pope Gelasius. In AD 542 the Emperor Justinian ordained that the Eastern Church celebrate the festival, which he called Hypapante, or "Meeting". The name was derived from the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40, wherein Simeon the priest and Anna the prophetess met the infant Jesus in the temple at the time of his consecration. Simeon's prophecy declared Jesus to be the Lord's salvation and "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." This passage continues to be the focus of the celebration.

Julian with his candle in a jar

Julian placing two candles around Willen

Candle in a jar

The Earth Candle

Lighting the Earth Candle

The Earth Candle

Alex Fox

Gail Goodley's leaving party

2012-02-04T00:40:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of the party that Gail Goodley had to say farewell to her. She left on Thursday 2nd February 2012.

Some of the people who turned up to Gail's leaving party

Julian, Carol, Gail and Molly

The cakes

Gail cutting the cake

Alex Fox

Farewell to Gail Goodley

2012-02-01T00:27:00.000-08:00

Farewell to Gail who leaves working for Camphill Milton Keynes on Thursday 2nd February 2012. Gail worked for Camphill Milton Keynes for just over 4 years. She helped with reviews and worked with residents. Gail is hoping to get back into social work.

Alex Fox

Interview with Alison Sharples

2012-01-27T05:42:00.000-08:00

Name
Alison Sharples

Age
42

How long have you lived in the community?
22 years

What house do you live in?
Oberlin. I moved here not long ago. Before this I lived in Margaret Powell House.

What workshops do you do? (which one do you like the most)?
Theatre and the Cafe. I like food processing most though.

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?
I do not have any activities in the community although I do literacy with a teacher that comes on Wednesday mornings.

What responsibilities do you have in your house?
Cleaning, locking up at night time, taking care of my pet chinchilla, Pixie. I also like to help with washing the dishes.

What do you do at weekends?
I work at Marks and Spencer’s.

Would you like to share anything with this blog?
I have a boyfriend called Andrew

Alex Fox

Climb Your Mountain (Maria Simon)

2012-01-19T23:13:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph of Maria Simon who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Camphill Milton Keynes. She did this on 11th November 2011. It took her 5 days to walk up Mount Kilimanjaro and two days to walk down. Maria managed to raise £2500.
Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shire, is a dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 meters of 19,341 feet above sea level.

Alex Fox

Three Kings Slide Show

2012-01-12T23:20:00.000-08:00

These are some photos of a slide show that was presented in the crypt of the Chrysalis Theatre on 6th January to say farewell to Christmas and greetings to the new year.

The Christmas Tree

Andrew and the Three Kings Candles

Some people singing

Removing the Christmas tree after Christmas

Alex Fox

Pot Luck Meal

2012-01-06T01:21:00.000-08:00

The advocacy group who meets on Wednesday afternoons helped to prepare a pot luck meal in The Chrysalis Theatre on Wednesday 21th December. It was called a pot luck meal because it was up to each house to bring something to eat. Mother and Father Christmas did an opening before the meal and there was also dancing afterwards.

Alex Fox

The Shepherds of All Saint's Road

2012-01-02T01:47:00.000-08:00

The co-workers at Camphill Milton Keynes performed a play called 'The Shepherds of All Saint's Road' at the Chrysalis Theatre on Tuesday 20th December. It is written by somebody called Peter Bateson who starred in A Theatre Under One Hat as Charles Dickens on 12th December 2011 at The Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes. It was about a young homeless woman who was heavily pregnant who meets other homeless people and needed somewhere to live.

Alex Fox

A Theatre Under One Hat

2011-12-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7th February 1812 - 9th June 1870) was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic novels and characters.

A Theatre Under One Hat recreated the setting, mood and appearance of readings from Charles Dickens, with one significant difference. Instead of just two or three longer readings, the programme consisted of shorter extracts from a number of different novels, combining examples of high drama, pathos and stark horror with some pieces of Dickens’ most sublime comedy.

The works of Dickens which the represented in this performance were Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol.

Charles Dickens

Joan Harris playing the piano

Joan Harris and Charles Dickens

Alex Fox

Advent and Drama Fayre

2011-12-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

Camphill Milton Keynes had an advent fare on Sunday 11th November. There were craft stalls selling things like baskets and greeting cards and also stalls selling sweets, cakes and refreshments. The stalls were mainly held in the Chrysalis Theatre and it's foyer. Every single workshop had a stall at the fare. There was a band that played music on the theatre stage. Jean-Luc and his drama group performed a play called 'The Three Little Pigs' and Teo's drama group sang some songs and read a poem by Roald Dahl about watching television. We sang a song from the musical Grease and a song called 'What a Wonderful World' and also a song about digging a hole. Everybody in Teo's drama group dressed up in costumes and I dressed up as a hippie. My mum went to see the advent fare and I wook lots of photos.

Jean Luc's performance of the Three Little Pigs

One of the craft stalls

Refreshment's in the foyer of the theatre

Another one of the craft stalls

Teo's drama group reading poetry

The Music

Me dressed up as a hippie

People watching the drama on the stage.

Alex Fox

Sleeping Beauty

2011-12-13T23:08:00.000-08:00

It is the day of the baby Princess’ christening. Princess Caroline may be spoilt but she’s the apple of her parent’s eye. The evil Fairy Gronchkin is so jealous that having made her way into the Palace, with help of the ungrateful and greedy Chamberlain, she curses the Princess to die on her sixteenth birthday. Three good fairies change the curse so that Caroline won’t die but instead will fall into a deep sleep along with the rest of the people in the Palace. Despite the efforts of her parents, and the good fairies, the curse comes true and Caroline is doomed to sleep for a long time until the right man comes along and awakens her with a kiss.
Tread the Boards Theatre Group presented Sleeping Beauty - a traditional pantomime with lots of laughter, cross-dressing, music, mayhem, magic, and of course, audience participation. From Friday 9th December to Saturday 10th December 2011.

Alex Fox

Jeremy Cooper and his telescope

2011-12-09T03:05:00.000-08:00

These are are a few photos of Jeremy Cooper and his telescope. On 22nd November we had a look at Jupiter and managed to see some of its moons.

Jeremy with Alison and Andrew

Jupiter. If you look carefully you can see two
of it's moons

Jupiter and two moons taken on 7-12-2011

Earth's moon taken on 7-12-2011

Close up of Earth's moon taken on 7-12-2011

Alex Fox

AHIMSA PORTUGAL

2011-12-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

Alex Fox

Magic of the Musicals

2011-12-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

Milton Keynes Brass was formed in 1984 through the generous sponsorship of a building company called 'Broseley Homes', from which organisation the band took its original name. Broseley Homes was much involved in the development of Milton Keynes - the city in which the band is based. And where did the company get its name? From Broseley in Shropshire where the company had connections - so that's how Buckinghamshire Brass Band was named after a Shropshire location.

Milton Keynes Brass played music from The Magic Flute, Evita, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables. Also The Fool on the Hill by Lenon & McCartney, Comedians Galop by Kabalevsky and In Christ Alone by Townend & Getty.

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Steven Greenwood

2011-11-29T00:03:00.000-08:00

Steven's sisters pub

Happy Birthday to Steven Greenwood who was 52 on 27th November. He had a celebration at his sisters pub.

Steven serving drinks

Steven and Roderigo

Steven blowing out the candles on his cake

Alex Fox

The Merry Wives of Windsor

2011-11-25T00:07:00.000-08:00

The Merry Wives of Windsor is one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, written with iconic caricatures set like a series of modern comedy sketches. The Longueville Little Theatre Company (LLTC) signed up to the Royal Shakespeare Company's 'Open Stages' project. From 16th - 19th November 2011.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is a comedy by William Shakespeare first published in 1602, though believed to have been written prior to 1597. It features the fat knight Sir John Falstaff, and is Shakespeare's only play to deal exclusively with contemporary Elizabethan era English middle class life. It has been adapted for the opera on occasions.

Alex Fox

Camphill Cafe Christmas Menu

2011-11-23T05:43:00.000-08:00

Julia.funge@camphill-miltonkeynes.co.uk

Alex Fox

The Talkback Independent Group

2011-11-18T00:49:00.000-08:00

The Talk back Independent Group meets about once a month. We meet for a meal, or a visit to the cinema, or bowling. The group is made up of people with a learning disability who are independent and want to meet friends or make new friends. And on Tuesday 8th November, companions at Camphill Milton Keynes were invited to go bowling at City Limits at the Xscape in Milton Keynes City Centre.

City Limits in Milton Keynes City Centre

Having a drink before bowling

Thomas

Alastair

Tammy

Sombody helping Helen

Nigel

Michaela

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Amy Prior

2011-11-15T00:09:00.000-08:00

Las Iguanas in Milton Keynes

Happy Birthday to Amy Prior who had her 35th birthday on November 13th. She had a birthday meal at Las Iguanas, a Brazilian restaurant in Milton Keynes.

Amy Prior

Alex Fox

Advent and Drama Fayre

2011-11-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

www.camphillmk.co.uk

Alex Fox

Steptoe & Son

2011-11-10T00:22:00.000-08:00

Carrying on the successful staging of popular TV comedies, Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy presented three classic Steptoe & Son episodes: 'The Bird','The Desperate Hours' and 'Oh, What a Beautiful Mourning'. Will Harold's social aspirations lift him from his miserable existence at Oil Drum Lane, or will his father Albert keep him stuck in the family business?
Steptoe & Son was written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson and was performed at the Chrysalis Theatre from Thursday 3rd November to Saturday 5th November 2011.

Alex Fox

Halloween Party

2011-11-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

Residents and Co-workers of Camphill Milton Keynes had a Halloween party in the Chrysalis Theatre on 29th October. Many of us dressed up in Halloween costumes. There was music in the theatre and refreshments were in the foyer.

Alex Fox

Interview with Anthony Taylor

2011-11-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Name

Anthony Taylor

Age

How long have you lived in the community?

Since January 1992

What house do you live in?

Willowwood

What workshops do you do? (which one do you like the most)?

Garden and the Theatre. I like them both.

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?

Music and Drama

What responsibilities do you have in your house?

Hoovering on Monday and Wednesday and Kitchen Night on Monday and Thursday

What do you do at the weekends?

I clean the fridge on Saturdays. I also go out to lunch at resteraunts

Would you like to share anything with this blog?
I like playing cricket

Alex Fox

Bee Keeping

2011-10-27T23:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of Andrew Wyndham, Lidia and me checking the bees in Willen for the winter. We gave them some syrup so they would not get hungry.

Alex Fox

Extravaganza 2011 (Total Vocal)

2011-10-20T00:19:00.000-07:00

After three sell out shows at The Stables, and two previous visits to the Chrysalis, Total Vocal returned once again with a brand new showcase bursting at the seams with outstanding new talent. The audiance prepared to be dazzled once again as students of vocal coach, Sheridan Coldstream (as seen on BBC1) come together to entertain us with a magical evening of song & dance. Soft rock, Jazz, pop and musical theatre all share one stage in an unforgettable feel-good show. Performances lasted just over 2 hours with one interval from Saturday 8th October 7.30pm to Sunday 9th October 6.30pm.

Alex Fox

Skampa & Rezek (Cello and Piano)

2011-10-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

The Skampa-Rezek Duo was founded in 1992 and has already given more than 450 concerts. Their repertoire covers works from the baroque period to the present day. The pair performed a selection of their favourite works in The Chrysalis, and with the wonderful acoustics of the auditorium, it was an engaging display of musical talent.

Martina and Tammy

Tammy and Chloe

Michael Rezek

Martin Skampa

Alex Fox

Interview with Clare Bradbury

2011-10-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

Name

Clare Bradbury

Age

How long have you lived in the community?

Since Camphill(MK) was built

What house do you live in?

Oberlin

What Workshops do you do?( Which ones do you like the most)?

Cafe and cleaning. I like the cafe the most

What responsibilities do you have in the house?

I do kitchen night and cleaning.

What do you do at the weekends?

I go to the city centre

Would you like to share anything with this interview?

I have a new pet rabbit

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Vicky Wheeldon

2011-10-09T03:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Vicky Wheeldon who had her 43rd birthday on October 7th. She had a birthday meal at Las Iguanas, a Brazilian restaurant in Milton Keynes.

Vicky Wheeldon

Celebrating at Las Iguanas

Las Iguanas in Milton Keynes

Alex Fox

Harvest Supper

2011-10-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

Residents and co-workers celebrated a harvest festival and supper in the hall and the foyer of the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes on Saturday 1st October. A harvest festival is an annual celebration which occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region. We sung some harvest songs in the hall before the meal was served in the foyer.

Linda lighting a candle

Soup being served with vegetables from the
Campill gardens

Maria serving bread

Eating the meal

Alex Fox

Blackadder the Third

2011-09-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy has performed three episodes of the classic TV comedy in the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes from 20th to the 24th September.
All three stories were set in Regency England (the early 1800s).
The three stories were:

Ink and Incapability:Prince George decides he needs to shake off his reputation as England's greatest thicky, so he agrees to patronise Dr Johnson's new dictionary.

Amy and Amiability:
As ever, the Prince is terminally short of cash, so he is persuaded to marry the fantastically wealthy heiress, Miss Amy Hardwood.

Nob and Nobility:
Everyone in Britain is mad with admiration for the Scarlet Pimpernel, who has been bravely rescuing French aristocrats from the clutches of evil revolutionaries.

The cast in all three stories -

Edmund Blackadder- butler (David Lovesy)

Mr S Baldrick - dogsbody (Chris Tennant)

George, the Prince Regent (Steve Clark)

Mrs Miggins - purveyor of pies (Anna Wingerath)

Alex Fox

The Sedgwick Museum

2011-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Adam Sedgwick FRS (1785 - 1873)

The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, opened in 1904, is the geology museum of the University of Cambridge in England. It is part of the Department of Earth Sciences and is located on the University's Downing Site in Downing Street, Central Cambridge, England.

The Sedgwick Museum houses a magnificent collection of fossil animals and plants of different geological ages from all over the world.

I went to visit the Sedgwick Museum when I was on holiday with my mum who lives in Cambridge.

Adam Sedgwick (22 March 1785 – 27 January 1873) was one of the founders of modern geology whom the museum is named after.

Head of one of the fossils

Deinotherium giganteum

One of the smaller fossils

Alex Fox

Camphill (Milton Keynes) Open Day

2011-09-14T01:30:00.000-07:00

Camphill Milton Keynes had an Open Day on 10th September from 2pm until 5pm. There were tours around the workshops including the bakery, tech lab,food processing, the gardens and the tools workshop. The newly refurbished Cafe was open serving refreshments. At 4pm there was a play performed in the Chrysalis Theatre by Jean-Luc Leiritz and the Chrysalis Players called 'The Healing Waters'. This wan a North American Indian tale.

Food Processing

The Bakery

Crafts in the Chrysalis Theatre foyer

'The Healing Waters' performed by the Chrysalis Players

http://www.camphillmk.co.uk/

Alex Fox

Climb Your Mountain (Fundraising Event)

2011-09-07T01:20:00.000-07:00

Maria Simon

On 19th August there was a fundraising event (Climb your mountain) in the Chrysalis Theatre by co-worker Maria Simon. The event was to help Maria raise £3500 to climb her own personal mountain. There was a raffle, an auction and nice food. The event raised £410. Maria is hoping to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in November 2011.

Some of the nice food

More of the nice food

Enjoying the food

Photograph of of Maria

Delima and Francisca dancing

Clive doing the auction

Delima reading a poem

Joan doing the raffle

A glass paper weight I won in the raffle

If you would like to make a donation to Climb your Mountain with Maria Simon then please click on the link http://www.justgiving.com/maria-simonne-meszaros.

Alex Fox

BIKE RIDE AND PICNIC

2011-08-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Alex Fcx

Camphill Sports Day

2011-08-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of a sports day we had at Camphill Milton Keynes on the bank holiday on the 29th August. Unfortunately it started raining so we could not finish the football match and did the rest of the sports day in the Chrysalis Theatre.

Stuart Andrews being a goal keeper

Fancy dress race

Musical chairs

Egg and spoon race

The barbecue after the sports day

Alex Fox

'Extra mile'

2011-08-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

www.justgiving.com/Camphill-MK

www.extra-mile.org.uk/

Alex Fox

The Newsletter Group

2011-08-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

There is now a newsletter group. It meets on Wednesday mornings in Oberlin House. The people who are helping with the newsletter are Chloe, Me, Steven Greenwood, Alison Faulkner, Marta, Csilla and Tanya.

Steven Greenwood holding a poster

Members of the newsletter group

Issue One which came out this August

Alex Fox

The Talkback Independent Group

2011-08-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

Invite from Nigel and Michaela

The Talkback Independent Group meets about once a month. We meet for a meal, or a visit to the cinema, or bowling. The group is made up of people with a learning disability who are independent and want to meet friends or make new friends. And on Tuesday 9th August, companions at Camphill Milton Keynes were invited to the Ship Ashore Pub in Willen Local Centre.

Invite to the Ship Ashore in Willen

The Ship Ashore Pub at Willen Local Centre

Thomas Craven

Jaye Twiss and Nigel

Julian Armstrong

Tammy, Michaela and Jaye

Steven Mundie

Anna Dixon

Alex Fox

Camphill Milton Keynes Communities Open Day

2011-08-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

www.camphillmk.co.uk

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Karen Brownbill

2011-08-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Karen Brownbill who lives in Margaret Powell House. She is 52 today on Sunday 7th August 2011.

Alex Fox

The Groovy Gecko Club

2011-08-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

These are some adverts for The Groovy Gecko Club which is popular with many of the companions of Camphill Milton Keynes.
Groovy Gecko is Milton Keynes first club night run by learning disabled adults for learning disabled adults. For mor information contact www.interactionmk.org.uk/.

Alex Fox

Interview with Lee Surridge

2011-08-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

Name
Lee Surridge

Age
28

How long have you been living in the community?
Five or six years

What house do you live in?
Whitethorn

What workshops do you do? (which one do you like most)?
I like cooking

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?
I do music and drama

What responsibilities do you have in the house?
I do cleaning

What do you do at weekends?
Sometimes I see my family

Would you like to share anything else with this blog?
I was at a residential college before I went to Camphill Milton Keynes

Alex Fox

Climb Your Mountain (Fundraising Event)

2011-07-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

Alex Fox

Football match at Willen local Primary School

2011-07-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of a football match that residents and coworkers played at Willen Local Primary School on Thursday 21nd July. It was a draw.

Putting up the goal posts

Matthew Fisher and Thomas Craven

Anthony Taylor

Stuart Andrews

Andrew Mooney the referee

Steven Mundi

The match

The supporters

My Rangers Football Club Teddy Bear

Alex Fox

Interview with Stuart Andrews

2011-07-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

Name

Stuart Andrews

Age

How long have you lived in the community?

Less than nine years

What house do you live in?

Appleyard

What workshops do you do? (which one do you like the most)?

The tools workshop. I like work in in the theatre.

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?

Football

What responsibilities do you have in your house?

Locking up at night, cleaning the kitchen, cooking

What do you do at the weekends?

Sleeping, watching DVDs

Would like to share anything else with this blog?

Yes, I do. I also work in the weavery.

Alex Fox

Opening Celebration for Cafe

2011-07-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

Steven Mundie and Barbara Glbert
dressed up as Prince Philip and
Queen Elizabeth II

The Cafe at Camphill Milton Keynes has had an opening celebration on 17th July after phase two which was to put in new furniture. Phase one was finished on 7th February (for a general refurbishment) which was included in a much earlier post on this blog. Barbara Gilbert and Steven Mundie dressed up at Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to cut the red ribbon to start the celebration.

Cutting the ribbon

Clare Bradbury cutting the celebration cake.

Enjoying the new furniture

Alex Fox

Old Hands

2011-07-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

England - 1935 9or thereabout). The world of the play is backstage at Skidbury-on-Sea Little Theatre during yet another summer season. The 'Little' is not The Hippodrome but it's an improvement on the fading Winter Gardens.

Old Hands is a play that was performed at the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes on Thursday 7th July. It was put on by Hijinx Theatre which is one of the UK's leading touring companies with 30 years experience of producing theatre for a wide variety of communities. The actors were Gareth Wyn Griffiths, Andrew Tadd, Eloise Williams, Gareth Clark and Adam Timms.

Alex Fox

St John's Day walk

2011-07-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of a walk that some of us went on for Midsummer Day on June 24th at Camphill Milton Keynes. We went to the Peace Pagoda, Stone Circle and the Tree Cathedral.

The Peace Pagoda, completed in 1980 at the northern edge, of Willen lake in Willen, Milton Keynes. This was the first Peace Pagoda in the western world.There is a Nipponzan-Myōhōji Order temple and monastery nearby

The Stone Circle, which is near the Peace Pagoda

The Tree Cathedral, a group of trees planted so that it has the appearance of a Norman cathedral, with the tree-trunks taking the place of columns.

Alex Fox

Robin Hood play

2011-06-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of Robin Hood that played in the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th June. About 100 people turned up to watch the play on Friday and 120 turned up on Saturday.

Alex Fox

TechLab

2011-06-24T01:34:00.000-07:00

These are some more photos of TechLab which happens on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the residents social room in Camphill Milton Keynes. The residents have been doing Information Technology training (like using Microsoft PowerPoint) on laptops that were partly funded for by a sponsored walk.

Tamsin Abram with her TechLab certificate

Robert King with his TechLab certificate
and portfolio of evidence

Robert King showing the class his presentation

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Julian Armstrong

2011-06-22T23:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Julian Armstrong who was 50 on 19th of June. He had a fancy dress party in the Chrysalis Theatre.

Alex Fox

Tools For Self Reliance

2011-06-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

These are some photos that were taken a long time ago when I used to work in the Tools For Self Reliance workshop that is run by Camphill Milton Keynes.
People can donate old or unwanted tools (including saws and hammers) that the residents then clean up using wire brushes. Some of the tools are usually very rusty.
So far the Tools For Self Reliance workshop has done 657 kits (which include carpentry and mechanic) and over 42,000 tools. When a kit or tools has been refurbished they are usually sent to projects in developing countries.
Countries we have sent kits and tool to are - Ghana, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. In the past we have sent kits and tools to Zimbabwe, but not now.
There is now a link to the Tools For Self Reliance workshops website in the useful links section with it's address and map so you can donate any old or unwanted tools.

Fiona, Me and Steve

Nicky and Thomas

Helen and Peter

Me and my mum

Alex Fox

Ascension Day walk to Salcey Forest

2011-06-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of us going for a walk through Salcey Forest in celebration of Ascension Day. This celebration commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day from Easter day.

Salcey Forest is a former medieval hunting forest in the south of the county of Northamptonshire in England. We took a coach to get there.

Alex Fox

Alex Yellowlees and his band

2011-06-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

On Friday 3rd June, Alex Yellowlees and his band played a wonderful combination of violin and rhythmic gypsy jazz guitar music in the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes. The band is made up of Alex Yellowlees, Scotland's premier jazz violinist, Mike Nisbet, an award wining graduate from the Leeds College of Music, Ged Brockie, who recently figured in a poll listing the worlds top three hundred acoustic guitarists, and Kenny Ellis, who has been at the forefront of the Scottish Jazz scene for over three decades.

Mathew Fisher introducing Alex Yellowlees and his bans

Alex Yellowlees and his band

Alex Fox

Jeremy Cooper and his telescope

2011-06-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of Jeremy Cooper using his telescope in the disabled car park of Camphill Milton Keynes. He played Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol which the theatre group performed at the Chrysalis Theatre in December 2008. I also have a telescope but I have not used it very much.

Jeremy Cooper setting his telescope up

Jeremy Cooper with his telescope

Andrew Mooney looking through Jeremy's telescope

The Moon

Close up of the Moon

This is supposed to be Saturn.

All these photos were taken using a Fujifilm Finepix JX210

A useful link for astronomy is the British Astronomical Association which I am a member of and it's web link is http://www.britastro.org/. It's Journal is published six times per year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. It's sections include Solar, Luna, Mercury & Venus, Mars and Asteroids and Remote Planets.

Alex Fox

Interview with Julian Armstrong

2011-05-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

Age
49

How long have you lived in the community?
A very long time

What house do you live in?
Whitethorn

What workshops do you do? which one do you like the most)?
Tools, theatre, recycling. I like recycling the most.

What activities do you like (like evening class or painting)?
I go to the pub, watch DVDs & Sky Sports

What responsibilities do you have in your house?
I make sure all the doors and windows ale closed and locked in the evening. I am a chairman in house meetings.

What do you do at the weekends?
I go and have lunch in the pub and meet up with my friends. I watch TV & DVDs.

Would you like to share anything with this blog?
I am going to be 50! on 20th June this year. I am going to have a fancy dress party on 19th June and everyone is welcome.

Note: Julian has also appeared on Youtube. you can see him at the links below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu6cTcYd1uc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu60U48X2go&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVOBj_k2Zg8&feature=related

Alex Fox

Camphill Milton Keynes' bees

2011-05-27T03:56:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of the bee's which are situated near the apple orchard. There are five bee hives at the moment. The honey they produce gets sold in the Cafe. Lidia and Andrew are the main keepers of the hives. I have been cleaning up some bee hives in one of the sheds in Willen garden. This involves scraping wax off which can be boring at times but is very important because they need to be clean. This is because the bees won't accept them if they are dirty. Andrew has done a bee-keeping course which means he understands what needs to be done to keep the hives functioning properly.

The bee hives next to the apple trees

Andrew and Lidia checking one of the hives

A frame

The frames

Alex Fox

Interview with Andrew Wyndham

2011-05-27T00:21:00.000-07:00

Name
Andrew Wyndham

Age
45

How long have you lived in the community?
18 years (Since 27th March 1993)

What house do you live in?
Margaret Powell House

What workshops do you do? (Which one do you like the most)?
Baskets, tools, bee keeping. I like them all, no favourite one.

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?
Weight Watchers; football practice; birdwatching.

What responsibilities do you have in your house?
Cleaning and fire alarm testing

What do you do at the weekends?
I go to the local centre, watch DVDs with Steven Mundie, take care of my fish tank, look at books.

Alex Fox

Costumes for Robin Hood play

2011-05-23T05:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of costumes that some us tried on at the Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy in Olney, Milton Keynes. The costumes are for the Robin Hood play which is happening on Friday 10th June at 19.30 and Saturday 11th June at 14.30 in the Chrysalis Theatre,Camphill Milton Keynes. Tickets are £5 and are available at the Camphill Cafe or at the doors. For ticket information call 01908 235 000. The play was written by Mike Goodwin and the cast. Music is going to be by The Bolivian Sunshine Dogs Band. I am going to be acting two parts, a gardener and Friar Tuck. And the director is Teo Gwynne-Evans. The play is being performed mostly by residents although there are a few co-workers.

Looking at costumes

Luke Wiseman as Robin Hood's mother

Rodrigo Ferreira as Robin Hood

Tamsin Abram as Maid Marion

Alex Fox

The Advocacy Group's Meal

2011-05-20T03:17:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 12th May the Advocacy Group who meet fortnightly in the social room cooked everybody in the community a meal. The food was bought from Tesco and prepared in Food Processing. It was all served in the Chrysalis Theatre. Over 100 people turned up. For the main meal there was meat and vegetable lasagne, salad and garlic bread. And for pudding there was cake.

Shopping at Tesco

Preparing the meals in Food Processing

People enjoying their meals in the Chrysalis Theatre

Alex Fox

Maypole dancing

2011-05-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of Maypole dancing and dancing without the Maypole that happened on May 1st at Camphill Milton Keynes on the grass. Maypole dancing is a ceremonial folk dance performed around a tall pole garlanded with greenery or flowers and often hung with ribbons. The earliest Maypoles were part of a celebration of Summer which would be linked in with mystical things like tree worship and more basic things like an excuse for dancing and having a good time.

Alex Fox

Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton

2011-05-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of us at Camphill Milton Keynes watching the marriage of Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton which happened on 29th April 2011 in Westminster Abbey.

In the Social Room

On television

On television again

In Willowwood

Alex Fox

Easter Play (The Fourth Wise Man)

2011-05-02T02:31:00.000-07:00

During Easter the residents and co-workers performed a play in the Chrysalis Theatre about Artaban, the fourth wise man, who spends his life looking for Jesus his King. A scene was acted each day for one week until Easter Day.

Alex Fox

Trip to Alton Towers

2011-04-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

On Friday 8th April a group of us went to Alton Towers, a theme park in Staffordshire. This is what Freddy Peeters wanted for his birthday.

Freddy on the Runaway Mine train

Congo River Rapids

Blade

Nemesis

My Alton Towers Teddy Bear

Alex Fox

Interview with Tamsin Abram

2011-04-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Name:

Tamsin Abram

Age:

How long have you lived in the community?

Not sure

What house do you live in?

Appleyard

What workshops do you do? (which one do you like most)?

Nursery, Advocacy, Theatre, House. The best is cooking and nursery.

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?

Evening class - cooking

Sometimes painting and also swimming.

What responsibilities do you have in your house?

Help cooking; cleaning. Sometimes breakfast making and locking up. And kitchen night.

What do you do at the weekends?

Cinema, outing, relaxing, sometimes visit my family. Sometimes concert, theatre.

Would you like to share anything else with this blog?

I am learning things in the Training house: numeracy, Literacy, numbers, tell the time, house to use the house equipment on my own, cook simple meals and how to do Goulash (for the future).

Alex Fox

Fame (By The Performing Arts students from Milton Keynes Keynes College)

2011-04-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

Oh April 6th and 7th performing Arts Students from Milton Keynes College performed 'Fame The Musical' at the Chrysalis Theatre. The Music was by Steven Margoshes. And the lyrics were by Jacques Levy. The book was written by Jose Fernandez and Fame is based on a concept by David DeSilva.
Some of the actors who performed are Adam Bosworth, Ruby Lewis, George Mott, Cece Carroll, Pete Rattcliff, AJ Lansdowne and Kim Hook, Stefan Scippo, Hazel Naghi, Terry Braund, Charlotte Elliott, Stephanie Gowing, Max Pollard and Alex Sheppard.
There was also an ensemble and the people in that were Natalie King, Carla Phillips, Leah Sparks, Charlotte Saker, Chloe King, Marty Freeman, Corinne Vanderpuye, Danielle Drewitt, Alex Lee, Aimee Shettle, Megan Tweed and Jodie Robinson.

Alex Fox

TechLab Certificates

2011-04-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

Residents who have been involved in training in the TechLab now have certificates to show that they have done some training on the laptops provided. To receive the certificates residents had to show the rest of the class a presentation they produced using Microsoft PowerPoint. The presentation had to be all about ourselves and have at least 8 slides. Not only did we receive a certificate but we also got a printed portfolio of all the work we did and a memory stick.

Vicky Wheeldon showing her presentation.

Alex Fox

The Advocacy Group

2011-04-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

Tanya the Group Leader

The advocacy group meets fortnightly in the social room at Camphill Milton Keynes.In the past we have talked about food and drink, self-advocacy, about health and about Doctors. We have also talked about housing, exercise, friends and relationships and also about holidays and money. We are currently planning a meal for the whole community. Tanya is the group leader.

Members of the Advocacy Group

Alex Fox

Poster

2011-03-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Alex Fox

London Eurythmy

2011-03-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

Friday 25th March saw a performance in the Chrysalis Theatre by London Eurythmy to commemorate the 150th birthday of Rudolf Steiner. The group performed fairy tails from the Mystery Dramas by Rudolf Steiner and the music was by Faure and Bach.

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Luciano Bomfim

2011-03-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Luciano Bomfim who was 24 last Thursday.

Alex Fox

Interview with Andrew Mooney

2011-03-25T03:11:00.000-07:00

Name:

Andrew Mooney

Age:

How long have you lived in the community?

Since 1999. 12 years.

What house do live in?

Sakura Walk. It’s a new house in Camphill.

What workshops do you do? (Which one do you like most)?

Cafe, Bakery, Theatre, Food Processing. My favourite workshop is the theatre.

What activities do you do (like evening class or painting)?

Paint class. Every Sunday at 3 o’clock.

What responsibilities do you have in your house?

My responsibilities are to check the freezer temperature and also check the food is good. I am responsible for locking the house at 10 o’clock. For the security of the house.

What do you do at the weekends?

I always go to town with Alison my partner. To have lunch in the shopping centre. I also cook for my house every Sunday.

Would you like to share anything else with blog?

I would like in the future to show my biography about my life which is also going to show how’s the life in Camphill.

Alex Fox

Happy Birthday to Freddy Peeters

2011-03-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Freddy Peeters who was 47 last Sunday.

Alex Fox

Keeping Safe (A special event for people with a learning disability)

2011-03-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday 8th March 2011 there was an event called 'Keeping Safe' at Camphill Milton Keynes. It was run by Talkback. It was put together to raise awareness and share good practice for people with a learning disability about keeping safe.

The event covered a lot of information including making choices, knowing your rights and responsibilities, health, training, victim support, Bucks Fire and lots more.

Alex Fox

Carnival in the Chrysalis Theatre

2011-03-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday 13th March saw the resididents and co-workers put on a carnival in the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes. The theme was animals and there was singing, dancing and people reading poems.

Alex Fox

The Tech Lab's Cameras

2011-03-04T01:37:00.000-08:00

The Tech Lab that opened a couple of weeks has two digital cameras and here are some of the photos that were taken by residents taking part in the training.

Alex Fox

Fawlty Towers at the Chrysalis Theatre

2011-02-25T07:08:00.000-08:00

This week has seen Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy show three episodes of Fawlty Towers in the Chrysalis Theatre at Camphill Milton Keynes. There were three episodes shown in September 2010 and were back by popular demand. Set in a 1970s Torquay hotel, Fawlty Towers is on of the finest farcical sitcoms British Television has ever seen. The script was written by John Cleese and Connie Booth.
The stories that were put on were A Touch of Class, Waldorf Salad and The Germans.

Alex Fox

Tech Lab

2011-02-23T04:07:00.000-08:00

The community now has a tech lab. There are now four laptops that residents are using to do training with. They were partly funded by a sponsored walk that we did in August 2010. The first session of training happened on 22 February and the tutor is somebody called Bethany. In the first session we found out about the different types of computers ant learnt how do use a mouse.

Bethany the tutor

The laptops

Training in the social room

Alex Fox

The Groovy Gecko Club

2011-02-18T04:49:00.000-08:00

These are a couple of photographs taken at The Groovy Gecko Club by Luciano Bomfim.
The Groovy Gecko Club is a night club run by and for people with learning difficulties.

Alex Fox

Valentine's Day Party

2011-02-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 13th February we celebrated a Valentine's Day Party at the Chrysalis Theatre. We watched a bit of a film called 'Love Actually' before we had a break. Then the dancing started.

Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.

Alex Fox

Just Giving for Camphill Milton Keynes

2011-02-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

Screen shot of Zolt Lokodi's site

JustGiving was started in early 2000 by two women, Zarine Kharas and Anne-Marie Huby, with a simple, but big, vision. They wanted to help break down the barriers to fundraising, and to use the Internet to allow people to raise more for the charities they care about which is exactly what Zolt Lokodi, a co worker from Romania is doing for Camphill Milton Keynes. (To donate just click on 'Just Giving' in useful links or type 'www.justgiving.com/Zsolt-Lokodi' in Internet Explorer).

Campill Milton Keynes is a residential working community, with charitable status, providing a meaningful working life for adults with a wide range of learning difficulties. Founded in 1981 it occupies two neighbouring estates, Pennyland and Willen, where over forty five residents live together with staff and their families in eight separate households.

Alex Fox

Farewell to John Woollard

2011-02-08T05:10:00.000-08:00

John Woollard who lives in Blackthorn house as a companion is leaving the community this week after living here for 14 years. He is moving to Kent.

Alex Fox

Camphill Milton Keynes Cafe

2011-02-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

The cafe at Camphill Milton Keynes has re-opened today on the 7th February after being closed for five weeks after being refurbished. The kitchen has been bought up to food safety standards which is phase one. Phase two will be putting in new furniture.

Alex Fox

Weight Watchers

2011-02-04T04:09:00.000-08:00

A group of us are now going to Weight Watchers. We go on Wednesdays evenings and it is at the Cross and Stables Church in Downs Barn, Milton Keynes. I have managed so far to lose over twelve pounds.

Signing in

Sitting down

Being weighed

Alex Fox

Talk Back

2011-01-28T06:39:00.000-08:00

Talk Back is a group that meets fortnightly in the residents social room in Camphill Milton Keynes.

Last year the group did courses.

The Talk Back group is where we talk about things like how we feel. We have a set of group rules. We have projects and training. Everybody is made to feel at ease. And we have fun.

Group photos of members of TakBack

Michaela (from TalkBack) showing poster

Nigel (from TalkBack)

Alex Fox

Evening classes

2011-01-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

At Camphill Milton Keynes, residents have the chance to go to evening classes. The subjects available are drama, cooking and craft. I have chosen to go to craft and this takes place at Stantonbury Campus in Milton Keynes.

Embossing

Making greeting cards

Alex Fox

Drama group at Camphill Millton Keynes

2011-01-15T01:48:00.000-08:00

Every Thursday a group of residents at Camphill Milton Keynes take part in a drama group in its own theatre called The Chrysalis.

The photograph on the left shows the front entrance.

The plays that the residents have performed so far are Sherlock Holmes and the missing letters, A Christmas Carol and Alice in Wonderland.

The play that we are working on at the monent is a pantomine version of Robin Hood which is being directed by Teo Gwynnes-Evans and was written by Mike Goodwin and the cast.

This is a photograph of residents reading a script with Teo the director.

Rehearsing a scene in Robin Hood

Poster advertising Robin Hood

Alex Fox

Residents activities after christmas

2011-01-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some photographs of the activities residents undertook at Camphill Milton Keynes after Christmas.

The groups that took place were fantasy films, drawing, folk dancing and bell ringing. The activities were from January 5th to the 7th.

Alex Fox

Any Questions? at Camphill Milton Keynes

2010-12-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

Any Questions? is a newsworthy talk in which a group of distinguished people from the world of politics, media and elsewhere are asked twenty questions from the audience.

On 17th December Any Questions? appeared at the Chrysalis Theatre in Camphill Milton Keynes Communities.
The panel was made up of Oliver Letwin, minister of state at the Cabinet Office, Laurie Penny, a journalist, author and activist from London, John Healey, shadow secretary of state of health and Paul Staines, better known as 'Guido Fawkes' of the eponymous Guido Fawkes blog of 'plots, rumours and conspiracy'.

And the chairman was Jonathon Dimbleby, a presenter of current affairs and political radio and television programmes.
Alex Fox

Community Advent Fayre

2010-12-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, the Community hosted our Christmas Fayre which was attended by many relatives, visitors and friends of the community. The Chrysalis Players presented in the theatre 'Looking through a Christams Kaleidoscope' - a collection of handmade theatre vignettes on the theme of Christmas.

There were also a range of stalls with crafts from our workshops including the bread from the bakery, preserves from food-processesing, hand-woven textiles, baskets and produce from the garden.

Each week I will be updating this Community blog with interesting articles and pictures. If you are running any event, have community news or pictures that you would like to post on the blog, then please contact the Blog Master - Alex Fox