Yes, do go ahead!

That was the answer that we were looking for. The question? “ May we build a Resource Centre annex to our existing building, Bradbury Lodge, in order to increase the range of services OAB are able to offer to blind and partially sighted people? ”

The answer, of course, came from Oxford City Council. We are delighted with the opportunity this brings to the cause we work for. There will be much work for the OAB team now, to plan and oversee the building project; part and parcel of which, of course, will be a large fundraising push. If you would like to know more about OAB’s plans, or would like to help with the fundraising, I would be delighted to hear from you.

More sadly, last month, we had to say farewell to OAB’s wonderful administrator, Teresa Bennett, who has now begun an exciting full time position. I am sure that many of you reading this will remember her fondly, and I know the OAB team does too. We wish her all the best. However, we also say hello to our new administrator, Sarah Milrose, who has made a great start.

On 5th September, OAB held our Annual General Meeting. In addition to a couple of dozen OAB supporters who came along, we were delighted to be joined by our patron, the Countess of Macclesfield; the Lord Mayor of Oxford; the Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council; and the Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council. Thank you to everyone who took part.

A great deal was covered during the formal part of the meeting, including the passing on of OAB’s thanks to Sir Hugo Brunner, the retiring Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, for all of his support as a patron of OAB. The existing trustees; Chairman, John Hewitt; Vice-Chairman, Adrian Hill; Treasurer, David Warr; Nigel Parsons, Desmond Pimm, Tony Barringer, and Sean Rainey, were all elected en block. Rodney Kane, who had resigned as a trustee earlier in the year, was thanked for all his support and advice. David Warr, the
Treasurer, informed the meeting that OAB’s finances were in a reasonably healthy position, but that, nevertheless, in order to achieve our ambition of helping more people in a better way, we would need to work ever harder at fundraising.

David also requested that anyone currently thinking about the provisions in their Will, might like to consider including OAB among their beneficiaries, something that could make such a difference in funding future services for blind and partially sighted people. There were also two special awards. The first award, Honorary Life Membership, was given to Mary Sitch in recognition of her 31 years of wonderful support to visually impaired people in the county. The second award was presented to Mary Gregory, in recognition of her sterling work over 30 years with OAB. As Mary already has Honorary Life Membership, it was felt appropriate, in this successful Olympic year, to award Mary an OAB medal. I think that takes Britain’s medal total to 45. Perhaps we beat Russia after all!

The AGM was also a useful occasion to reflect upon our progress. OAB’s Chairman, John Hewitt, highlighted the important links and joint working that we are engaged in with many other organisations, including Social and Community Services, the Oxford Eye Hospital, the Horton Hospital, Action for Blind People, RNIB, Age Concern, and the parents’ support group, Look (Oxfordshire). We are also pleased to be maintaining our strong connections with the many clubs and groups for visually impaired people in the county. I regularly visit one or more of these groups each month, and I can confidently write that they do a fantastic job, providing a valuable social opportunity for everyone who goes to them. Indeed, if any of you reading this are wondering about attending your local group, then I would encourage you to have a chat with your local group leader.

The team members and volunteer workers are as busy as ever providing information, advice, equipment demonstration, home safety checks, telephone reviews, volunteer visiting and the many other things OAB do. Indeed, I’m delighted to report that we now have a presence in the Horton Hospital on a Wednesday, made possible by the help of two OAB volunteers. Please feel free to have a look at Janet’s report.

May I also draw your attention to another excellent exhibition of specialist equipment for blind and partially sighted people, taking place on the 30th October. This really is a great opportunity to try out some of the best new equipment available. [ Info ]

Finally, may I once again thank all of you who support OAB, whether that is through your hard work or donations. It is a great honour to represent such a forward-looking and dedicated organisation. With your continued support I know that we can extend our services to enable more visually impaired people to live active independent lives.

With good wishes,
Colin Cure, Director.