|
STOP PRESS: As more than a third of COPE members live outside Cambridge City, do you think the "C" in our name should stand for "Cambridgeshire"? Please write to the COPE office with your answer. COPE is presently collecting signatures and joining the Cambridge Evening News in its campaign to Save Post Offices. Telephone 01223 364303 for more information. COPE collected nearly 6,000 signatures in our campaign against the proposal to close two rehabilitation wards at Brookfields Hospital. These were handed to Chris Banks, Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust on 7th December 2007. COPE handed over 2,000 signatures to David Sinclair, Head of Policy at Help the Aged at a special event hosted by BT on January 17th 2008. The Help the Aged campaign against an upper age limit for drivers was supported by our members. Do you agree that the present policy on pensions, means-testing, council tax, concessionary travel, post offices and social and long-term care fails to meet the needs of older people and requires urgent action? COPE says "DON'T COMPLAIN - CAMPAIGN" and "OUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR NUMBERS" COUNCIL TAX DOUBLES IN TEN YEARS - For many years Cambridgeshire has been one of the fastest growing populations in the country, how can we cope with such rapid expansion with little or no extra resources. Cambridgeshire County Council is struggling with the cost of providing for an ageing population and needs of residents with complex health and learning disabilities. Write to COPE with your opinion. COPE joined Age Concern, Help the Aged and National Pensioners Convention in highlighting the disastrous reduction in the value of the State Pension. Debbie Beale, Programme Manager “Speaking up for our Age”, from Help the Aged, attended The Shropshire Association of Senior Citizens Forums Conference in November. Robert & Rhona took the opportunity to present her with COPE’s 1,000 signature Petition on Pensions to support the National Poverty Hearing at Parliament on December 6th 2006. Delegates to the Shropshire Conference were invited from all the Shire Counties of England to discuss the possibility of setting up a Federation of Rural Counties. COPE supports a campaign by Help the Aged, if you think an older person is being harmed or mistreated, you can speak to someone in confidence.To speak to trained staff/volunteers Free phone: 0808 808 8141Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or visit http://www.iwill.co.uk/25k/register.aspx Congratulations to The Cambridge Evening News and COPE members in getting Free Bus travel for all over 60's and disabled people in the County of Cambridgeshire. This came into effect on Sunday October 1st, 2006 the International Day of Older People. Cambridge Evening News with the help of COPE collected over 10,000 signatures in this campaign. "The evening with Professor Germaine Greer" was a sell-out, and very entertaining. Light music was provided by the "Palm Tree'o". Professor Greer's book The Female Eunuch, published in 1970, was inspired by the experiences of her mother. The Valentines walk was a great success with 83 members joining in the fun. Wednesday 14th May 7 p.m. Free walk round the Roman barrows at Bartlow Hills near Linton (Cambridgeshire Archaeology Field Unit) Wednesday 21st May - "An evening with Sally Chidzoy (reporter/presenter with BBC Look East since 1986) - music with the Palm Tree'o and refreshments Wednesday 18th June - 7 p.m. Free walk round the medieval castle and deserted medieval village at Rampton (Cambridgeshire Archaeology Field Unit) Saturday 14th June - 3 hour River Cruise aboard the Nottingham Princess including traditional Roast Dinner Monday 21st July AGM - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Guildhall. Free - 5th COPE AGM and Forum on “Prevention is better than Cure”. Keynote Speaker Professor Adrian Dixon (Professor of Radiology). Question & Answer session to include Professor Dixon, Dr Lorna Layward, (Senior Research into Ageing Manager at Help the Aged), Dr Helen Brown (Chief Executive West Anglia Crossroads Caring for Carers) and Andy Cogan (Chief Executive of COVER). Exercise with Simon Hanna, followed by entertainment with the Music Department of St Felix Middle School (to include their Steel Band) and the COPE CHOIR. Raffle & lunch Friday 29th August - "Dirty Dancing" at the Aldwych Theatre, one ticket left Friday 26th September - Chartwell (house, studio and gardens) and then to Woods Wine Bar & Restaurant in Tunbridge Wells for tea Wednesday 1st October - International Day of Older People - Free Fashion Show, courtesy of Eaden Lilly at St Bede's School Thursday 2nd October - Recital by the CANN Twins at West Road Concert Hall Saturday 8th November - Thursford Christmas Spectacular to include lunch at The Green Man in Fakenham Thursday December 18th - Co-op Junior Christmas Spectacular at the Snape Maltings, nr Aldeburgh, Suffolk contact us for more information for the above events COPE has 1,988 registered members. Rosemary Wheeler from Cambridge was our 1,000th member, Alan Pheasey from St Ives was our 1,500th member - who will be our 2,000th member? Chinese Monthly Birthday Lunches - Jason Yow COPE Choir - Trevor Grigg Healthy Walks - Trevor Grigg Refreshments & Stalls - Alice Zeitlyn & Robert Sanderson Research Working Group - John Hipkin Trips, Socials & Fund Raising - Jean Garner & Rhona Boorman Transport & Access - Margaret Hobbs & Robert Boorman COPE needs active volunteers, please contact us if you can spare an hour a week to help with general administration, research, campaigning, fund raising, etc. Whatever your interests - COPE needs you! |
