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Client Events
• Wed 2nd December – our Euston group will have Christmas lunch at a popular local venue.
• Wed 9th December – our over 50’s Christmas lunch at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church – with entertainment from the Variety Collective’s Claudia Keston.
• Thursday 17th December – Luton over 50s Christmas Party at Holy Ghost Church Hall with entertainment from Gary Williams.
• Booking required for all Xmas lunches – invitations will be mailed to clients – call Una for details.
If you’re joining us for the first time, please call Una on 0800 652 2989 to book.
This year, ScotsCare has hired the whole ice rink at the historic Tower of London for an exclusive ScotsCare skating session. We have 250 free tickets for the 22nd of December, which will be offered to
families who have had a children's grant in the last year.
Crown Court Christmas Fair
Crown Court Church of Scotland – the Kirk of the Crown of Scotland – is this year celebrating the 100th anniversary of the building of the present church. They have been holding many events over the year with the aim of raising money for the Centenary Appeal. This was launched towards the end of last year to raise £75,000 to pay for some much‐needed upgrading of the church. The final fund‐raising event of this year was a
Christmas Market on Saturday 14th November in the church hall We would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the event and made it a great success. We served light lunches and afternoon teas, and there were stalls selling all sorts of items. We raised a great amount which will really boost the appeal so thanks again to everybody involved. For further information about Crown Court Church, call 020 7836 5643 or visit www.crowncourtchurch.org.uk.
ScotsCare Tip
Every household with someone aged 60 or over is entitled to help towards their winter energy costs from the Pensions Service. The over 60s can claim a lump sum up to £250 tax‐free, while the over
80s get up to £400 (increased from £200 and £350, respectively, last year). Payments can take a few months to arrive so the earlier you apply the better. How to claim If you have received the Winter Fuel Payment in previous years, or receive the State Pension, you do not need to do anything, and payments will be made automatically in November or December. Anyone else will need download a claim form and return it to the
Pensions Service, or ring 08459 15 15 15 (full details on the Pension Service site). Claims must be made by 30 March 2010 for winter 09/10 payments. www.direct.gov.uk/pensions
ScotsCare Competition
Congratulations to Michelle Haggarty, who successfully guessed that a ‘Bubbly Jock’, is indeed an old Scots word for a turkey. One of our new ScotsCare designer bags plus some extra goodies are heading Michelle’s way. Thanks to everybody who did send in answers and keep an eye out in the next newsletter for another ‘Old Scots’ words competition.
Scots Corner
As you will remember from the last issue, we have got rid of the jokes and have moved onto Scots words and their meanings. So, here is the second instalment:
Ferntickle (pronounced fern‐tik‐l) or Fernietickle (fern‐ee‐tik‐l). noun a freckle: Aw the wean’s cute wee face is covered in fernietickles! (From the old belief that freckles were the result of being touched or tickled with a fern)
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Scotland’s Greatest Contribution to the world
Scots around the world are being asked to place their vote for Scotland’s Greatest Contribution To The World. In 2007 we wanted to know your favourite comedy moment, last year it was your favourite song but now we want to know just what is our greatest gift to the world? We have compiled a list which highlights the breadth of Scottish ingenuity and invention which includes entries from the worlds of science, technology, literature, architecture, food and drink and more. For example, if you weren’t well what would make you feel better‐ penicillin or a wee can of irn bru? And what is more representative of Scottish fashionthe kilt or a string vest and sweatband? Other items to make the list include; television, bagpipes, golf and whisky. To view the short list and make sure your favourite gets a chance or to give us your own suggestion, visit
www.scotscare.com
and follow the link. The winner will be announced on St Andrew’s Day, he didn’t make the list before you ask.
Brighten someone’s Christmas this year
Why not help support less fortunate Scots in London and brighten someone’s Christmas by purchasing one of our designer bags. They make a great gift for Scottish friends and relatives in London and further afield. All of the money raised will go directly towards supporting less fortunate Scots in London. The ScotsCare bag is designed by Jamie Bruski Tetsill, named ‘The next one to watch in fashion’ by British Vogue and is limited to a run of 500. It is already selling quickly so get your hands on one (or two) before they disappear. Scottish actor Alan Cumming is supporting the project and we want to get as many people as possible wearing the bag around London and the rest of the UK to spread the name of ScotsCare. To pick one up, visit
www.scotscare.com
. The bag is £9.99 +£2 p+p. If you are in London, why not pick one up from our King St offices and save on the postage. Remember, all of the money raised goes directly towards supporting Scots in London living in poverty.
Caledonian Carols
We would just like to remind everybody that our sister charity Borderline, is holding a Caledonian Carol Service on the 10th of December at St Columba’s Church of Scotland. The night includes a traditional Christmas
message, St Columba’s choir, pipers and special guests, Robyn Kirk and Streetwise Opera. Tickets are priced at £15 including complimentary canapés and drinks and under 16’s enter free so it’s a great night out for all of the family. Tickets can be purchased at www.borderline‐uk.org or can be purchased at the door. The service is from 7‐8pm and then followed by the reception downstairs in the hall. Please arrive promptly if you are paying at the door.
Scots Forum in London
Would you like to keep up to date with what’s going on for Scots in London? The Scottish Forum in London was set up as a meeting place and platform for Scottish groups, organisations and societies in London
to meet up and promote events to the Scottish diaspora. A new website has recently been designed and has just gone live at www.scotsforumlondon.com. The site allows you to keep up to date with all of your essential Scottish activities in London and also to read about the member organisations. There is also a monthly e‐newsletter which you can sign up for through the site. If you are a Scottish organisation, group or society and you would like to be listed on the site, please email ross@scotscare.com.
Trustee Profile
SS: What is your name?
KD: Ken Donnolly.
SS: What do you do at ScotsCare and how long have you worked here?
KD: I have been a Trustee for 2 years. I am also a member of the Welfare and HR sub-committees.
SS: What is your connection to Scotland?
KD: I was born and grew up in Glasgow.
SS: What is your connection to London?
KD: I came down to work after finishing university, and have lived here with my (Scottish) wife ever since.
SS: What Scottish person do you admire most?
KD: My wife. Anyone who can put up with me most of the time is admirable.
SS: What age are you (you don’t have to tell us!!!)?
KD: I’ve been going so long I can’t remember.
SS: What surprising things are you good at?
KD: I am adept with a mouse in either hand. And I can think of innovative ways to fry just about anything. Whether it will be edible or not is another matter.
SS: What do you consider Scotland’s greatest contribution to the world? You can’t say yourself!
KD: The enterprising spirit which takes us all over the world, with our own special way of doing things. Our easygoing tolerance makes us at home in any culture.
SS: Where are your favourite places in Scotland and London?
KD: The road from Glasgow to Inverary via Loch Fyne. Fantastic scenery and an exciting switchback. In London, Soho is a lively mix of generally good-natured people of all types, enjoying the pubs and restaurants.
SS: Tell us about something you like to do other than your work for ScotsCare?
KD: Opera, theatre, cinema, hill-walking. Pretty much anything social, except dancing.
SS: What would your last meal be?
KD: Black pudding, flat sausage and fried potato scone, covered in syrup to start. Mince and mashed potatoes and brown sauce to follow. Perhaps a mutton pie on the side. Followed by banoffee pie and cream. Sorry, you did mean what meal would be my last?
SS: What do you like most about Scottish culture or people?
KD: Wherever you go, you always meet a Scot with whom you can find a link to someone you know or somewhere you’ve been. Also, Scots are plain-speaking, so you know that you’re not being fobbed off, even if it hurts sometimes!
SS: What do you enjoy most about working for ScotsCare?
KD: Doing something helpful, in good company, with like-minded people.
SS: Finally, tell us anything else you would like to, about yourself?
KD: I think I’ve gone on enough!
A thought for an old friend
In loving memory of Willie McColl. I first met Willie two years ago as a ScotsCare befriender. Although virtually housebound and constantly attached to oxygen, I was struck immediately by his massive strength of character and positive outlook. A work related disease had robbed him of an enjoyable retirement, but there was no bitterness in the man. His fighting spirit was humbling and his sense of mischief often made me smile. He possessed a sharp mind and almost photographic memory and he could talk in great detail about many subjects, from Scottish football teams of bygone years to the current state of world politics. He worked hard and
enjoyed his life and even in the face of adversity would comment on how lucky he was - quite an achievement.
I miss the old boy loads. Paul Hackett, Befriender
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