Newslines

Aphra Brett and Olive Peat R.I.P.

This month we have two farewells. Aphra Brett has been a regular presence here almost every year since 1965 when Othona first came to West Dorset. Her late husband Reynolds Brett lent his architectural skills to the early alterations needed to adapt the house for Othona’s use. Their daughters Lindy Brett and Jo Malden, eventually together with their own families, have been regular visitors and Othona members too. Aphra was a woman with a great sweetness of character, kind and always ready to see the best in people. For many years she served on our committee, and still attended some committee weekends after she’d stepped down – as a kind of beloved unofficial community granny! In summer 2006 she celebrated her ninetieth birthday here at Othona with a grand party.

It was a bit of a wrench for all her family when Aphra finally moved to a residential home in Oxford, leaving the house which Reynolds had designed on a gorgeous stretch of the River Stour near Blandford. She wondered if she’d be too far away ever to visit Othona again. But the photo was taken here this October when Jo brought Aphra for what turned out to be the last time. She collapsed and died, suddenly and without pain, on 5 December at the age of 95. Her funeral is on Tuesday 20 December at 11.15 at St Peter’s Church, Wolvercote (near Oxford) with refreshments afterwards. For catering purposes please let Jo Malden know on 01865 556422 if you plan to attend. No flowers please, but donations to Dorset Wildlife Trust will be welcome. We hope to have some celebration of Aphra’s life at Othona in the new year.

Olive Peat died in November at a care home near Lyme Regis. She lived in Bridport but had not been actively involved with Othona recently, during which time her health had deteriorated until she was partially paralysed by a stroke earlier this year. Years ago she was a regular helper, coming in to do sewing for the community. Olive, who was a Quaker, never enjoyed the limelight and insisted that her financial contribution to Othona be kept anonymous. But I feel it is all right now to acknowledge that without her generosity neither our chapel flooring and heating project, nor our People Fund, would have been possible. In the same spirit of candour, I should say that Olive was a convinced proponent of ‘assisted dying’ and, faced with disability and dependence, chose to take her own life since our current laws do not allow the assistance she would have wished.

The Great Big Tidy

Some of our very best weeks here are the Roll Up Your Sleeves events, where everybody mucks in to get umpteen jobs done around the community. Last week we managed no fewer than 23 tasks, ranging from tree planting to Christmas pud making, from furniture shifting to sewing. Along with the feeling of practical achievement, there’s a great spirit of life and laughter to these weeks.

Rather similar, but new to our programme, from Monday 23 to Sunday 29 January we have The Great Big Tidy. This is going to be a treat for people who enjoy bringing order from chaos, clearing away unnecessary clutter. And we confidently expect it to have the positive Roll Ups vibe as well. Tempted? For more details click here.

Jane Robinson

Jane is our housekeeper and in usual circumstances would be heading up the aforementioned Big Tidy. But sadly, as you may have heard, she is on long-term sick leave with cancer. The news of her is that she has undergone both radio- and chemo-therapy at the Christie Hospital in Manchester and is now regaining strength at home in Wales. Robin and I saw her last month and would say she was strong in spirit, in spite of a gruelling treatment regime.

We very much hope to see Jane back at Othona in 2012. But one of the worst aspects of this illness is often the waiting and not knowing. Jane and her doctors won’t know until a scan in January how effective her treatment has been. She asked me to say how she appreciates being in people’s thoughts and prayers. Any messages sent here for her will be passed on.  

Michael Morpurgo

This Christmas and New Year sees the launch of Steven Spielberg’s film “Warhorse”, based on the book by former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo. Perhaps, like me, you’ve had the chance to be moved and amazed by the renowned London stage production of the same story. If not, I do recommend it.

Michael Morpurgo created the novel (first published 1982) after conversations with old-timers in his Devon village about their memories of animals and men going to the First World War. He’s still based in the West Country, with connections to Bridport, so we were doubly pleased when he recently accepted an invitation to be one of Othona’s patrons. Very best of wishes for the movie, Michael, and when you’re not quite so busy(!) we hope to be seeing you again.

New Programme Details next month

Our new programme details (from May to October 2012) should be going on the website next month and appearing in print too. To those who like to book their summer visits before Christmas, sorry for the wait. I can tell you already, though, that we are going to operate our usual kind of family-friendly programme in July and August. We had wondered whether to change our summer programme because the Olympics sailing events will be taking place in nearby Weymouth/Portland.

New Year – last minute bookings?

Are you fixed up for New Year? Here at Othona we’ll be enjoying a 4 day community houseparty with everything from a feast to games, from One World Worship to a country walk. We’re mainly adults but with some younger teens too. As an extra, two of our visitors are offering an introduction – for those who wish – to Emotional Freedom Technique, otherwise known as ‘tapping’! And for all this we do have a few places still left, with the usual concessionary rates available too. Is this your year to sample New Year Celebrations in Dorset?