Exeter Gateway Centre

As usual, activities have been in full-swing! Many creations were linked to Valentine’s Day-Gonks proved very popular. We’ve also celebrated several birthdays, had a week of pancakes and generally enjoyed ourselves. Walking football is continuing on Wednesdays, with numbers slowly creeping up and fitness levels definitely improving…

Sweet peas and sunflowers are coming on and it won’t be long until we can harden them off in the greenhouse. The raised beds have been prepared for potatoes and onions and bedding plants will soon be in the planters at the front of the building.

Sadly, one of our long standing members, Christina Lee, passed away recently after a short illness. Christina was a particularly friendly lady who was liked by all at the centre. She had time for everyone and was always happy to chat-she will be sorely missed.

Activities went into full swing on our return in the new year. Not only were we celebrating the start of 2023, but we spent time researching and making items for the Chinese New Year. We had a week of Chinese meals and watched various video clips on how the Chinese celebrate. Many members were interested in what animal year they were born, so birthdates were investigated and the bulk of the members seemed to be dogs, rabbits or dragons!

There have also been several birthdays, with cakes and the usual tuneful rendition of Happy Birthday!

At present, we are making Valentines’ items and will be having a pancake week starting on the 20th Feb…

Christmas at Gateway, was the usual hive of activity. Members made all manner of festive items, including gonks, cards and a total of 35 cakes too. We had a ‘leftovers’ lunch, which was attended by by 43 members! On the same day, we held a raffle and raised over £120-many thanks to those that donated prizes, especially Morrisons, John Lewis and Exeter City FC

The naughty ‘Elf on the Shelf’ caused havoc around the centre, interrupting Brian’s game of pool and generally disrupting several activities!

Daryl, the centre manager, was fortunate enough to join the Band of HM Royal Marines CTCRM at the Exmouth Pavilion for two Christmas Concerts. Due to the generosity of the concert goers, nearly £1750 was raised and donated to the centre-several members and support staff attended and were suitably impressed by the talent on stage. A massive thank you must go to the band for allowing us to be the recipients of the collection and also for asking Daryl to dust of his sticks (he last performed as Royal Marines’ musician in 2009!).

Several members have ben taking part in weekly walking football sessions, under the expert guidance of Dan Hewitt, from Exeter City FC Community Trust. The players have made great improvements over the weeks and are thoroughly enjoying their Wednesday work out!

Every Spring and Autumn, Freemasons from all around Devon meet to support local organisations who require financial assistance, among which are children’s charities, schools, youth centres and locally based charities including hospices, hospital services and cancer charities.

The money is raised through the “WAKE FUND”, a trust conceived by William Alexander Kneel, the Devonshire Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry & dry cleaners (now Johnsons). Since the idea was initiated, the fund has grown through the continued generosity of Devonshire Freemasons and wise investments. Today it stands at £2.3 million from which the trustees distribute the income generated, currently around £50,000 each year.

This Autumn on Friday 4th November at Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road, Plymouth, Ian Kingsbury the Provincial Grand Master of the Devonshire Freemasons presented cheques to twenty-one deserving causes. Daryl, the centre’s manager, accompanied Grahame Simons, from Exeter Northcote Lodge, to receive a very generous donation of £1500. A massive thank you goes to Grahame for his role in the Exeter Gateway Centre being the recipient and to everyone involved on the evening for their friendliness and hospitality.

On Halloween, several members and staff came in suitably dressed for the occasion. Sharyn organised a ‘What’s under the Cloth?’ game, where members had to feel an object and guess what it was. This proved very popular as well as a few other activities too. Members enjoyed a few spooky treats after their lunches and a great time was had by all!

Over the past couple of months members have been keeping busy with a host different activities. Several members have started walking football sessions under the direction of Dan, from Exeter City’s Community Trust. We started outside and have had our first indoor session due the change in the weather. The players are really enjoying the experience and it is certainly more strenuous exercise than the name implies!

Sadly, we said goodbye to one of our staff members, Nicola. She started as a volunteer and then worked as part of the team. We wish her well! We have, however, welcomed Sharyn to the centre. She has already settled in and is very popular with members and staff alike.

Suzanne and Barbara celebrated their birthdays, receiving the usual Gateway chorus of Happy Birthday! There has been a lot of activity in the kitchen, including baking their cakes and for others too. We also had a week of home cooked meals, with a varied menu over the course of the week. Members helped to prepare and cook the meals and nothing went to waste.

The build up to Christmas has started in earnest-we need to make a post box as the first batch of cards was brought in this week! The activities are beginning to link to the festive period as many members are now making presents for family and friends. (photos will follow).

David and Martin are housemates and great friends. They love coming to the centre and taking part in various activities. David is a big fan of Shakin’ Stevens, 80s pop and Manchester Utd and Martin all things Ghostbusters!

David makes sure the plants are well watered during the summer and Martin is very helpful around the centre-he’s great with a tea-towel!

The centre has been a hive of activity over recent weeks. We have celebrated several birthdays and lots of cakes have been baked! The week of barbecues was a success and we used freshly harvested lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber from the garden.

Members have ben working hard on their computer skills-Jamie has searched for a printed a selection of lorry pictures (mainly Eddie Stobart!). Suzanne finished upcycling a small table and has started another one!

Carolyn, our senior support worker, acquired a table football game, so we now have pool, air-hockey, Wii and footballing activities plus all the other arts and crafts, word-searching, gardening and bingo!