Sirius Court’s Social group raised £300 throughout 2018 and elected to award the money to the Elizabeth Foundation who work with deaf children to help them have happy normal lives through the use of the latest hearing technologies.
Natalie Oliver, from the foundation, came along and gave a very interesting talk on the work the foundation does and explained where the money would go. Natalie was thanked and presented with a cheque by Agamemnon’s vice-chair Mark Perry.
Residents at Neptune Court were treated to a special ‘Sailors Christmas Standeasy’ on Monday 17 December.
Organised by Lieutenant Kelly Jenkins-Hill, an Agamemnon Trustee who is currently on maternity leave from the Royal Navy, the event saw naval personnel from HM Naval Base Portsmouth sharing mince pies and other seasonal fare with the residents, many of whom had served in the Royal Navy, WRNS and QARNNS.
The morning was a wonderful way to unite young and old, who were able to share stories and their service experiences, and was part of a series of similar events.
Today the new wellbeing room in Neptune court was given the go-ahead by the vice-chairman to open its doors to residents. The newly fitted out room comprises a nail bar, a hair washing station and two hairdressing stations, an exercise bike, and a massage table. There is also a small seating area and music centre. Neptune’s warden, Pride, is clearly very pleased with the new facility.
Apparently, there is already a waiting list of tenants planning to take advantage of the new facility. Congratulations to everyone who has helped make this new room a reality.
On Thursday 6 December Vic Merry, longstanding tenant in Cornwell Court, was invited to attend the Commissioning Ceremony of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier.
Vic had previously served in the last HMS Queen Elizabeth, a modernised WW1 battleship, in 1941, as a Boy Seaman.
He was invited by the ship’s captain, Jerry Kyd, and was accompanied by his life-long ‘oppo’ Len Chivers, who also served onboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth in 1941.
The two veterans had front row seats for the ceremony and were presented to HM the Queen. They were happy to recount their stories to her, of their time onboard the last ship and their time with her husband, Prince Philip, in the Mediterranean Fleet.
Whilst onboard they were treated as true VIPs and had the opportunity to catch up with previous First Sea Lords and the current Second Sea Lord.
Vic was also able to present the ship with the menu card and Order of Service for Christmas Day 1941, which has now been framed and takes pride of place onboard the new HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Around 225,000 people develop dementia every year – that’s the equivalent to one person every three minutes. Therefore, our wardens took part in the Portsmouth Memory Walk in September to raise money for a world without dementia. Arm in arm, step by step and pound by pound (£510). £500.00 can pay for 700 copies of their new Understanding Your Diagnosis booklets, helping those recently diagnosed with dementia understand more about the condition and how to come to terms with some of the feelings they might be having. The Team did a great job. Well done to you all and thank you to those who kindly donated. 
The Trial to identify if our tenants would benefit from having a Wellbeing Room within each court has now started in earnest with our Chairman, Commander Rod Edwards RN opening the Trial Wellbeing Room in Victory Court on Monday the 2nd October 2017. The Warden of Victory Court, Jackie Warren-Holland has done a great job in bringing together a modern looking facility where treatments such as massage, hypnotherapy, reflexology, physiotherapy, beauty therapy treatments and light exercise can be offered by outside professionals. These treatments help people to feel good, and in turn improve physical and mental wellbeing. A Tenant Survey was completed at Victory Court to determine which treatments will prove most popular. Many of the tenants that attended the opening were highly impressed with the Wellbeing Room and the facilities. One therapist said that it is brilliant to see such a modern, well-equipped facility that provides the equipment to deliver the therapies she provides. The Trial will conclude in April 2018.
Residents from both Cornwell and Sirius Courts gathered together for the last of our Chairman’s lunches this summer. Everyone was well entertained and judging by all the dancing and singing they thoroughly enjoyed it. A buffet lunch was provided with a huge range of cheeses on offer.
Somerville Court and Eliza McKenzie Court tenants enjoyed our joint seaside themed Chairman’s lunch with sea shanties by The Portsmouth Festival Singers, accompanied in part by Pat Burns (CEO). Everyone joined in to make it a roaring success and, with fish and chips and ice cream, it was just like being by the seaside, and even the rain held off until we had eaten.
The raffle raised £163.00 which was donated to SSAFA.
The first Chairman’s Lunch of 2017 took place at Neptune Court on 2nd June and the celebrations also included the fact that it’s Neptune’s 40th birthday. An entertaining time was had by everyone on a lovely sunny day in the garden.
Tenants from both Victory and Neptune Courts celebrated 40 years since Neptune Court was first opened and our VIP guest for the day was Caroline Dinenage. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful buffet provided by Jane and were entertained by the Broadway Belles, and Mr Taylor on the keyboard.
Thank you to Eve, from Victory Court, who kindly provided some memorabilia from the Opening Ceremony as her parents were among the first tenants to live at Neptune Court.
These things don’t happen without a lot of planning and hard work, so many thanks go to Eric and Jackie, all the members of staff, the social committee, and the residents, who helped organise the entertainment, buy the drinks and provide the food, Finally, thank you to all those who bought raffle tickets – we raised £134 for Macmillan and a military charity TBD.
