PRISMPILKINGTON RETIREMENT INFORMATION AND SUPPORT MAGAZINE • www.pilkingtonfamilytrust.com

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2 RUSKIN LODGE INSPECTIONThe Care Quality Commission reportfeedback4 5HAPPY RETIREMENT

Trust Fund says goodbye to Meals DriverChristine Litherland

INFORMATIONUpdate on the Dementia serviceand project

Charitable GovernanceI will give you

an insight of theprocesses andstructures inplace that allowus to meet thecriterion laiddown by the

Charity Commission who oversee ouractivities and to whom we formallyreport every year.We have a Trustee body that meets

three times a year and it oversees thegeneral strategic aims of the charity.We utilise this forum to discuss themajor issues affecting beneficiaries(including older people in general) andidentify carefully considered

mechanisms to address those issues.This is supplemented by a Board

that meets three times a year to ensurethat the day-to-day activity meets theobjectives that are agreed annuallywith senior managers. The objectivesare formulated into a business planwhich is disseminated to all staffmembers. This is further consolidatedby myself meeting with all staffthrough a twice yearly briefing sessionto ensure we are achieving ourobjectives.Together with the board, we

undertake a strategic review of allservices approximately every threeyears, and look forward over a five-year timeframe. We analyse robust

data that we hold to includebeneficiary demographics and nationaltrends and evolve plans to meetchanging needs. This has to beachieved within predicted budgetarylevels.Budgetary requirements are

achieved with the support of a FinanceCommittee that meets three times ayear with our investment advisors.Their task is to identify a long termstrategy that will provide a consistentstream of income to provide for theagreed charitable activity. This can bechallenging given the sometimesvolatile nature of the stock markets.The performance of the advisors areevaluated through the use of industry

recognised benchmarks.If all of these different elements are

managed and delivered properly weare able to provide the high qualityservices of which we are all fiercelyproud.You now start to get a flavour of the

amount of planning and oversight thatis undertaken to ensure that we meet awhole host of statutory regulations thatcharities need to comply with. Thiscompliance, in my opinion, isappropriate, although sometimes itappears burdensome it ensurestransparent and effective use ofcharitable resources.Paul MorganManaging Director

Like any other business a charity has to plan for the short, medium and the long termfuture. It is the role of the senior management team to ensure that task is undertaken toensure proper governance of the organisation.

Sally Beckett, wife of former Triplex Kings Nortonemployee Alan Beckett, took part in the hospital’sStar Appeal after her grandson Charlie had openheart surgery at just 13 days old. The campaignhas been set up to raise £3.8million for a centre forchildren with rare diseases.The 65-year old has previously raised thousands

of pounds for the cause which she said “is securinga legacy for future generations”.“Without them Charlie wouldn’t be here today. He

is seven years old now and quite a cheeky littlething. He had a heart bypass to repair a hole in theheart and he has gone back to the hospital severaltimes since and they have just been fantastic. This

is the only real place for children to go in thecountry and it has to be kept going. This is just myway of saying thank you and giving something backto them for everything they have done and securethe legacy for future generations who without itmight not live.”Sally set off with more than 90 others and three

coaches travelled to Snowdonia during the month ofMay. They set off at 10.30 am and then walked upto the summit and returned to the bottom of themountain about 4pm before returning toBirmingham for 8pm.She said: “We were led by a member of the

Welsh Fusiliers who was fantastic and thankfully it

was not too hot.“Since I got back people have been coming up to

me asking me how I got on and I would like tothank everyone who has supported me and theBirmingham Children’s Hospital fundraiser.Sally has raised £425 so far. Visit

www.justgiving.com/Sally-Beckett1 to boost hercoffers further. The total for the group whichundertook the feat is now well over £20,000.

Sally-Beckett - Just Giving!A Rednal grandmother has walked up Snowdon to raise money for the BirminghamChildren’s Hospital who saved her grandson’s life.

Anniversaries

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Oh my goodness, please don’t tell me that RuskinLodge has just celebrated its 25th ‘anniversary’. Itseems like only yesterday that we were digging out thefoundations – where do the years go?It’s hard to imagine exactly how many guests have

benefitted from this wonderful facility during that time, but Ido know that each and every one of them has received thehighest possible standard of care whilst in our charge. Youwill see on page 4 a summary of our recent Care QualityCommission inspection report, which is very complimentaryabout the care on offer. It really is a lovely place and Iwould urge anyone who needs respite care for themselvesor family members to come and stay with us. So the nation has spoken and the democratic decision

has been taken to leave the European EconomicCommunity. It’s far too early to assess the full implicationsof the decision – all that we can hope is that ultimately it’sfor the good of the nation. Only time will tell I suppose. Talking of ‘the good of the nation’, it would be remiss of

me not to mention the Queen’s 90th birthday. We are trulyblessed to have a Monarch who has reigned for so long withsuch grace, compassion and dignity.As you may know, I love my sport so I’ve been enthralled

watching Wales at Euro 2016 – much less so with theother lot! What an absolutely incredible achievement onreaching the semi-finals. Still on the subject of football, likeso many other people I was utterly captivated by the quiteremarkable story of Leicester City last season. It waswonderful to see a small club triumph over the mega-rich‘big boys’. It also taught us a valuable lesson in life – if youwork hard enough, show dedication, commitment anddesire, then you can achieve great things.I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Carole Cullen

to the PRISM editorial team. If you’ve got anything thatyou’d like to contribute to the magazine, I know that Carolewill be delighted to hear from you.Finally, I would like to finish my notes by thanking

Pilkington NSG for their financial contribution towards ournew Dementia service. Their support is greatly appreciated,not only by the Trustees but by the recipients of the service.

Have a lovely summer all of you.

Mike HortonEditor

For details of how tocontact us see page 6

Christine (holding the balloon) is pictured above with Family Trust work colleagues on26 February just before she was about to set off on her last delivery.

Happy retirement Christine

EDITOR’S NOTES

Birthday wishes go to Mary Nicholson, known as Polly, on her101st birthday on 12 January.

Mrs A Wilburn is pictured above celebrating her 102nd birthday inBroadoak Manor, on 23 March.

101 Marie Gibson is our newWelfare Officer for theWrexham area. Marie takes over from

Chris Connor who left usearlier in the year. Marie brings some great

skills and experience tothe organisation and wewish her all the very bestin the role.

Marie Gibson, new regionalwelfare officer.

Christine Litherland, Meals Driver at St Helens, has retired after 26 years serviceworking for the Trust Fund.

DIAMOND WEDDINGMr & Mrs Wilfred & Beryl Lawrenson, St Helens – 4/2/2016Mr & Mrs Frank & Ada Prince, Birmingham – 27/2/2016Mr & Mrs Sydney & Hilda Jones, Ashton-in-Makerfield – 10/3/2016Mr & Mrs James & Joyce Anders, St Helens – 22/3/2016Mr & Mrs Matt & Connie McGrath, St Helens – 24/3/2016Mr & Mrs Henry & Doris Kinsley, Orrell – 4/4/2016Mr & Mrs Stan & Elsie Green, St Helens – 12/05/2016Mr & Mrs Derek & Sheila Fleetwood, Birmingham; –12/5/2016Mr & Mrs Roy & Dorothy Caudwell, Blackpool – 07/07/2016Mr & Mrs Christopher & Dorothy Pagendam, St Helens –21/7/2016

Mr & Mrs Arthur & Ruth Bonney, Billinge – 27/07/2016Mr & Mrs Cyril & Rita Eden, Warrington –1/9/2016Mr & Mrs Leslie & Margaret Yates, St Helens – 13/10/16

GOLDEN WEDDINGMr & Mrs Robert & Pauline Sleath, Birmingham – 8/1/2016Mr & Mrs William & Rita Ball, St Helens –12/3/2016Mr & Mrs George & Isobel Haden, St Helens – 19/3/2016Mr & Mrs Tom & Sylvia Ienders, Warrington – 19/03/2016Mr & Mrs James & Norah Glynn, St Helens – 24/03/2016Mr & Mrs James & Dorothy Lea, St Helens – 26/03/2016 Mr & Mrs Doreen & Leslie Barrow, St Helens – 2/7/2016Mr & Mrs Vincent & Teresa Arnold, St Helens – 10/9/16

Congratulations are sent to the following couples who have or are about tocelebrate their special anniversaries.

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Another financial year has come and gone for the C & A Pilkington Trust.The Trustees, Board Members, Management and Staff continue to work together to use the

resources of the Trust in the most effective way to provide care and support to the beneficiarieswhere it is needed.The income continues to be generated largely by investments (95%) though donations from

the Pilkington Charitable Fund to support some services, NSG Pilkington to assist the start up ofthe Dementia Service and the Rainford Trust to support the funding of food parcels in South Africawere welcomed.The total amount spent in the year to 31 March 2016, on services to beneficiaries, was £3,147,000

Barbara Northover—Trust Fund Accountant

Trust Fund spend for last financial yearOpposite: A snapshot of how the income generated in the financial year to 31 March 2016 was spent

Star roles forglass makingFollowing hot on the heels of his TV debut inJanuary, Matt Buckley, Architectural UK andIreland MD, again represented the Company ontelevision with an appearance in May on BBC’sThe One Show.

Matt’s first TV appearance this year, on 7 Januaryinvolved meeting ex-government minister turned TVpresenter Michael Portillo, who visited St Helens whilemaking an episode of BBC2’s Great British RailwayJourneys. Entitled “From St Helens to Knutsford”, Michaelbegan that leg of the journey feeling the heat of modernglassmaking. “The programme tracked glass making in StHelens from the 1860s tothe modern day and gavereally good coverage ofour heritage as well as ourcurrent excellence,” Mattexplained.

Matt’s role on The OneShow was to accompanypresenter Roma Agrawalon a tour of the floatprocess at Greengate.

“As a former engineer,Roma was particularlyinterested in the scale ofthe furnace and thetechnical breakthroughswhich led to thePilkington float glassprocess,” Matt said.

Architectural UK and IrelandMD and recent TV intervieweeMatt Buckley.

34%

20%

28%

2%

7%5%

4%

Ruskin Lodge

Visiting

Support in the Home

Willowbrook Hospice

Day Centres

Support costs

Overseas

Invitations were sent out to Day Centremembers to take part in a fancy dress raceday, which gave everybody the opportunity todress up really smart – suits, shirts and ties,dresses, hats and fascinators. Cake stands, drinks, hats, were all

purchased for the big event and we madeflower button holes. A local

bookmaker got toknow about ushosting a raceweek and offeredus some lovelybanners, buntingsand bottles ofginger beer, whichwas very nice ofthem.Our race week

started on 11 April, and ran for three daysand everyone was excited about the dayahead.Guests were welcomed by the sight of a

life-sized cardboard horse duly named ‘Mr.Bond’, which everyone really loved and hadtheir photograph taken with.The room was beautifully decorated in

coloured pom-poms, shiny gold horseshoesmade from cardboard and each table wasadorned with table cloths and napkins andbeautiful flower arrangements.Everybody was offered buck’s fizz or a

choice of juices, and were presented with aracing guide for the day.The kitchen staff had prepared the food

and made lovely meals for everyone. Theirdelightful cakes and biscuits were arrangedbeautifully on cake stands.Then, after lunch and cakes, the races

began. They were shown on the big widescreen television,and everyone wasable to choose ahorse.Everyone really

enjoyed the races,hopefully pickingthemselves awinner; the daycentre room wasbustling and full ofcheers. The races

consisted of six races from Aintree then aninterval for ginger beer, wine and lemonade orselection of fruit juices. Trophies and rosetteswere awarded to the winners.The whole day was a real success, full of

laughter. It really was worth all the hard workto see how lovely everyone looked and justhow much they enjoyed it.Everybody thanked us for making their race

week so special and it was lovely hearinghow much it had been enjoyed by all.

Dawn Stockley, Day Centre Organiser

A day at the races In April we organised a race week to be held at Ruskin Lodge.

To mark the occasion the staff at the Lodge organised an afternoon tea with a beautiful buffet, guest singers, tombolaand raffle. Day Centre members joined the residential guests to make it a most enjoyable afternoon of singing, dancingand laughter. Whilst the faces of guests and staff have changed over time, the one thing that remains constant is the high quality of

care being provided. To that end, we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed so magnificently over the years inbuilding such a wonderful reputation. Long may it continue.

Happy 25th anniversary to Ruskin LodgeIt seems like only yesterday that we were putting up the marquees and setting out the tables inreadiness for the opening ceremony of Ruskin Lodge and here we are now celebrating its 25th‘anniversary’.

Cake baked by the Cook for theoccasion.

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Care Quality Commission:Ruskin Lodge inspectionThe Care Quality Commission, (CQC), the independent regulator for health and social carein England, carried out an inspection of Ruskin Lodge on 19 and 25 January 2016. The CQC monitors, inspects and regulates many

services such as care homes, hospitals, and healthcentres to make sure theymeet fundamentalstandards of quality andsafety. The findings arepublished and includeperformance ratings tohelp people choose care.

Most visits from theCQC are unannounced soservices such as RuskinLodge, have to beprepared at all times to beable to demonstrate howthey meet the fundamentalstandards.

Since October 2014, the CQC has been using anew way of inspecting and ask five main questionsabout the service: Is it safe? Is it effective? Is itcaring? Is it responsive? Is it well led?It is the responsibility of the team at Ruskin

Lodge to be able to demonstrate that the careprovided in the home meets, and whereverpossible, exceeds the standards expected. TheInspector will always need to meet with themanager, staff and guests and families if available.

A CQC report and rating is not just about whatan Inspector sees on the day of the inspection, butalso takes into account information from otherbodies who have contact with the home. Prior tothe inspection, the CQC Inspector had contactedthe Local Authority, Healthwatch England and theinfection control team to look at their findings fromtheir own inspection of Ruskin Lodge.

Many Care Home Managers will tell you that themost daunting part of their job is the inspection. Itis a time when you feel that you have to have animmediate answer and explanation for everythingthat you do. In reality this isn’t the case andInspectors are happy to allow you time to gatherinformation that is not readily to hand.

As Ruskin Lodge had not been inspected byCQC for two years we knew an inspection was dueat any time, but there is always a feeling ofnervousness and trepidation when you hear thewords ‘The CQC Inspector is here’. These feelingsdid only last for a short time, until I rememberedthat the Inspector just wanted to be sure that weare providing good quality care in pleasant and safesurroundings with staff who are well trained andwho care about our guests. It was important toremember that the Inspector like us, was simplydoing her job and it’s right to ensure homes arewell run, caring and safe. We hear too many

negative stories about care homes; we should alsobe celebrating the homes that provide a high

standard of care for olderpeople.

Once that initialfeeling had gone it wastime to concentrate onproviding all theinformation requested toprove we could answer‘yes’ to the fivequestions mentionedabove. In truth, theinformation andevidence I thought I

would need, had beensitting in a box in my office for months so thateverything was to hand when the inspection tookplace. Despite saying the Inspector allows time togather information, I wanted to have the evidenceas soon as it was asked for. I didn’t want to besearching for papers and files I knew I had butcouldn’t remember where I had put them. It isimportant to be prepared for an inspection at anytime and regularly check that what we docontinues to meet the standards expected. Regularreviews of how we operate at Ruskin Lodge arecarried out by the home manager and ManagingDirector and new ideas introduced orimprovements made asappropriate.

The Inspector spentthe first day speaking tothe manager aboutpolicies, procedures,recruitment of staff, careof guests, care plans,staff training,maintenance of thebuilding and muchmore. Each topiccovered had to beexplained in depth andevidence given to prove weare doing what we say we do. It’s not enough justto say you do something, that’s easy - you have toprove it. The Inspector spoke to staff individuallyabout their own roles, how guests are cared for,what training they receive, staff supportmechanisms, admin procedures etc. Perhaps mostimportantly the Inspector spoke privately to guestswho were staying in Ruskin Lodge, to ask whatthey felt about the care and support they receive.

After two days of inspection, I received someinitial feedback. At this point the Inspectorindicated that she was very pleased with

everything she had seen at the home and felt theatmosphere was homely and friendly and noconcerns were raised. Whilst the Inspector hadindicated that the home was operating to a highstandard and guests were very happy andcomplimentary, having to wait for a few weeksbefore the draft report was sent to Ruskin Lodgebrought back those feelings of anxiety. We like tothink we do the best possible job at Ruskin Lodgebut how would an Inspector view us?

About a month after the inspection, the draftreport arrived. To say I am delighted and proud toread the comments in the report would be anunderstatement. There was not one negativecomment from the Inspector. Comments from guestsuch as, ‘I feel safe here,’ ‘nothing is too muchtrouble,’ ‘they looked after me when I was ill andthe care and attention aided my recovery’. Thecomments from guests were particularly pleasingas they gave a picture of how staff aim to make avisit as enjoyable as possible.

Staff comments were also very positive and theymade comments such as ‘it’s a wonderful place towork, ‘I feel really well supported in my job, I feellistened to and valued.’

Positive comments were not just about the careprovided, but also about the food, the environment,the activities and the team, which when added

together make RuskinLodge the place it is andas one guest commented,‘Ruskin Lodge was firstclass and that’s why Ikeep coming back andthat’s the truth’.

With the new ratingsystem brought in by theCQC in 2014, all homesare given a performancerating - outstanding,good, requiresimprovement orinadequate. Ruskin Lodge

achieved ‘Good’ in all areas and as an overallrating. Whilst I am delighted with the commentsmade by the Inspector and feedback from guests,staff and families, I can’t hide a small amount ofdisappointment that we didn’t achieve outstandingin some areas. I know one thing for sure, Idefinitely want outstanding next time. We havealready put some new ideas in place to ensurecontinual improvement and we are all aiming evenhigher. Watch this space!

Diane Swift Manager Ruskin Lodge

The service works in partnershipwith carers, families and people withdementia offering specialist support,information and advice. Since startingthe service in January referrals havebeen received from The PilkingtonFamily Trust welfare officers, theCarers Trust and the Later Life andMemory Service. A number of peoplehave also contacted the service afterreading the article in the Decemberissue of Prism.

The work done by the team varieson a day-to-day basis, but includesvisits to people with dementia andtheir carers. People can be referred to us during assessment or shortlyafter diagnosis, also when familiesare experiencing significant problemsbecause of the signs and symptomsof dementia and also to help familiescope with loss and bereavement. Gill provides psychological support tothe families, ensure they are aware

of services available as wellas providing strategies thatmay help people live wellwith the condition.Maralyn ensures that social

opportunities are providedthat are dementia inclusivenot only in Pilkington venuesbut also around the St Helensarea. The six-weeklyreflection group is wellattended and everybody has

a good time. However, we arearranging other future events thatinclude afternoon teas, lunches andother social activities.The team is also available to

provide training to the staff at thePilkington Family Trust as well asliaise with other agencies to ensurethat St Helens becomes dementiafriendly. Gill and Maralyn areinvolved in the St Helens DementiaAction Alliance. Recently Gill andMaralyn have become DementiaFriends Champions enabling them todeliver dementia friends awarenesssessions. These are currently beingdelivered to The Pilkington FamilyTrust staff.

During Dementia Awareness week(16 - 20 May), Gill and Maralynattended an event in St HelensLibrary providing an information stallabout our services. A memory boxfrom Museum of Liverpool life wasused in sessions at Ruskin LodgeDay Centre that provided lots ofopportunities for discussion. The“10 bob note” was well remembered.We would like to have our own

memory box that is specific toSt Helens and especially Pilkington’sglass. If anyone has any leaflets,books, or other memorabilia thatthey would like to donate, we wouldappreciate them. Any pictures can bescanned and returned if required.

The Dementia Service

The memorybox fromMuseum ofLiverpoollife.

The Pilkington Family Welfare Trust Admiral Nurse Service has beenoperational for the last six months. Maralyn Devlin the dementiasupport worker started in December and Gill Connor the Admiral Nursestarted at the beginning of January.

Gill Connorand MaralynDevlin.

Update on the Dementia Project - Gill Connor Following on from the launch of our new dementia service last autumn, and the promotion of it in the last PRISM magazine,Judith Gleave contacted us for support with her husband who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in July 2015.

Judith’s husband Pete worked for Triplex for 26years, in a number of departments including thecomputer department. Pete was into householdmaintenance, baking cakes for his grandchildren,and was a crossword addict. He even won theChannel 4 general knowledge quiz show ‘Fifteen toOne’ twice!In November 2012, Pete had an aortic and mitral

valve replacement operation, but a few daysafterwards it was confirmed that he had suffered astroke during the procedure. The physiotherapy teamat Whiston Hospital provided excellent support toPete for his left side, which was affected by thestroke, but Judith recognised a gradual decline inPete’s cognitive abilities. After a number of visits tothe GP and a memory clinic, a consultant confirmedPete has vascular dementia.Today, Pete no longer bakes or pursues some of his

previous hobbies, but he still finds great joy in folkmusic (a shared passion with Judith) and sings inthe mixed and men’s choirs at the local University ofthe Third Age. Pete and Judith’s teenagegranddaughters both come to tea once a week,which they love as they can catch up on the gossip.However, at the end of last year, Judith was

reaching crisis point. “When Pete was diagnosedwith dementia there was no upfront offer of helpshould I need anything. I’d had over six months ofjust getting on with it, but I was at the stage where Ineeded more support. I read about the newPilkington dementia service in the PRISM magazine

and contacted the service seeking help.”Gill Connor (the Trust Fund’s Admiral Nurse) and

Maralyn Devlin (Dementia Support Worker) are nowsupporting Judith and Pete.Judith comments: “Gill and Maralyn have been an

absolute godsend. They provide me with emotionalsupport and encouragement, and they have a verypractical way of dealing with things. They told methat I may be entitled to an attendance allowanceand also put me in touch with social services so Icould get care support to help with Pete’s mobilityand balance. We were also put in contact with othersupport organisations.”“With their help, Pete now has a medic alert

medallion. The St Helen’s Carers Centre has sent melots of literature, which has given me great guidanceand they even offer a course on dementia to helpcarers like me. I’ve also been issued with a keyring,which says the carrier [me] is responsible for aperson with medical difficulties, and Pete has akeyring which links back to me; this is so reassuring.The team has really helped me with the practicalitiesof living with dementia.”Judith is determined that together, Pete and her

continue to share their love of folk music for as longas possible. Gill and Maralyn are providing her withthe encouragement and support to enable this.Judith says: “Earlier in the year, we wanted to go to afolk festival, but I was concerned about Pete’smobility issues. Gill and Maralyn encouraged me togo and gave me great practical advice on how I could

cope while I was away; they even gave me tips onhow I could get a card at a festival to help withqueuing etc. Pete loved the festival and was singinghis head off. Gill came to see me immediatelyafterwards to see how we had got on. We now hopeto go to another festival in September. By beingencouraged to ‘give it a go’, it is helping us to live aspositively as possible.”Judith is thankful that she has the tremendous

support of her two daughters. Wendy, who liveslocally cares for Pete once a month, so Judith cantake a break and stay with her other daughter Bev inLondon who spoils her.Judith says: “I’m lucky to have the support of my

two daughters and good friends who care for us bothin different ways. Wendy, my daughter who liveslocally, visits her Dad so I can continue with myhobby which is singing in the St Helen’s Ladies’Choir and, I’m grateful to know that Ruskin Lodge isable to provide respite support.Living with dementia is difficult for both Pete and

me. We have bad days as well as good days, but weare genuinely helped and grateful for the love andsupport of our family and friends, and the very realtangible help that has been given to us by Gill,Maralyn, and the team. With the Trust Fund’s help,living with dementia is made easier. I wouldencourage others to reach out to the service if theyare affected by dementia.”

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Retirements

Below are lists of retirements and deaths for the period December 2015 to June 2016 inclusive

Deaths We have been notified of the following deaths since the last issue of Prism. The number of years’ service are as shown.

Produced by: LBW Communications Ltd. Email: lorna@lbwcomms.com Tel: 01295 690074 • Mob: 07917 548589

Contact us…By telephone: 01744 457929In writing: The Pilkington Family Trust

Units 16-20Chalon Way Business ParkChalon Way EastSt Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1AU

e–mail: enquiries@pilkingtonfamilytrust.comIf you prefer you may wish to complete the attached slip andreturn it to the above address, and we will get back to you assoon as possible.

Name, address and telephone number of sender: ....................................................................

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Every effort is made to ensure that details and information in the magazine are correct at the time ofgoing to press.

It is with regret that we report thedeaths of the following pensioners.

AFTERMARKETTerence Field 2ALEXANDRA WORKSColin Bromilow 34ARCHITECTURALJeremy Almond 10BIRCH STIGMATJoyce Ford 6David Heskett 6Isabelle Fisher 12Dorothy Brown 19CAPE STIRLINGIvie White 2CAPS MICROFILM Winifred Warriner 1Margaret Wintle 3

CHANCEDoris Smith 7James Jewkes 31Linnett Robinson 5Phyllis Farley 7Irene Golding 19Alan Cowles 42William Plester 16Jean Sprigg 8CITY ROADFred Derrick 23

Catherine Bebe 21Stanley Hobbs 35Robert Cunliffe 18COWLEY HILLAlan Paynter 42Marjorie Taylor 25Eleanor Swift 31Derek Case 39Stan Houghton 41Ann Houghton 20Robert Southward 14George Marsh 23Jessie Drinkwater 22Alan Martin 37John Roberts 44Ronald Barker 32Alan Williams 8Charles Taylor 39William Ellison 11Terence Eden 25James Graham 23Joseph Owen 41Maureen Bradburn 12Leslie Keenan 39William Burke 17Philip Lebrocq 30Richard Greenall 14Grace Woods 14John Golding 27Donald Lowe 16May Finney 35

Cyril Walley 29Esther Dennett 23Frederick Fairclough 21Elsie Gearing 16DIRECTORSolomon Kay 14DONCASTERAudrey Jenkinson 39Eric Gill 40Bernard Henson 50Terence Cormack 28ELECTRO OPTICALAnthony Walker 36FIBREGLASS RAVENHEADFrank Mercer 13Joan Tomkinson 11Kenneth Dean 31Norman Cotton 11Charlotte Pennington 31Roy Speakman 8Eva Firth 16Michael Glynn 6FIBREGLASS WREXHAMHarold Williams 9Mary Jenkins 7GREENGATEKeith Robinson 38William Mutch 32Leslie Wainwright 35

Robert Barr 28Hilary Bloor 32R Emmett Cummings 39HEAD OFFICEColin Rawlinson 26Veronica Pickering 18Derek Hughes 37Alice Beardsmore 34Emily Riley 9Alan Nicholson 40Mary Crowe 17Joan Ramsdale 38Elizabeth Howel-Evans25Alwyn McDonough 40Audrey Hockenhull 36George Oxley 37James Fairhurst 27John Brian Coxhead 40Peter Owens 28Eileen Hart 36Edward Yates 33Klaus Philip Gruell 25LATHOMFrederick Wilburn 31Kenneth Knockton 34Philip Irlam 29Robert Brown 38Michael Green 31Sylvia Erlam 12John Rigby 38Geoffrey Evans 29PB FLAT HEAD OFFICECharles Woolley 35PIL PONTYFELINClifford Dundon 31Albert Cranham 22PIL RAVENHEADBrian Turner 19Dorothy Burrows 13PILKINGTON AEROSPACERobert Wright 26Graham Oates 33PILKINGTON GROUP LTDEdward Taylor 4Mary Graham 18Alan Cumberbatch 37Barry Rosser 18Clifford Barnes 23Raymond Evans 5Doreen Hill 5James Mercer 6Anthony Henning 32

Kenneth Winstanley 7Albert Rickaby 23William Whalley 6Charles Eden 32Frank Davies 1PILKINGTON SPECIAL GLASSGeorge Connah 20David Tinman 31James Shaw 8PONTYFELINRobert Garrett 22Raymond Mathews 41PPE ST ASAPHJohn Webb 13F. Alan Barlow 3PRL STIRLINGJames Lyle 21PRL WREXHAMGordon Roberts 4PUKLRoy Evans 11George Chapman 23PUKL LIVERPOOLRaymond Greer 18PUKL P&M DOWNSTREAM SITESErnest Mose 13RAVENHEADGeorge Wakefield 25Roy Lowe 17Robert Britland 15Ernest Robinson 13Brian Horton 7Ronald Roberts 19Elizabeth Birchall 10SHEETWORKSLeslie Marsh 37Ann Glynn 21ST ASAPHRex Widdows 29Roger Evans 26TRANSPORTDerek Stubbs 26TRIPLEX ECCLESTONWilliam Hankinson 4Michael Mountford 24James Philbin 24Edwin Johnson 17Doreen Dorrell 13Douglas Greenall 38Samuel Roden 23

Raymond Nixon 15Margaret Lyon 11Thomas Crabtree 17John Foster 28Jeffrey Elmer 11Ronald Hewitt 21John Ernest Croston 28Leo Murphy 33Winnie Crehan 8William Forber 6Keith Morrison 23David Ball 29TRIPEX KINGS NORTONAlan Jobson 30Gordon Burgham 26George Warden 22Keith F Hughes 26Ann Sowton 24Harold Bond 10James Tickle 29Reginald J Rees 22Patrick Sweetman 20Roy West 20Garry Hegenbarth 13Edna Edwards 15Bernard Carley 30Ronald Taylor 32Edwin Francis Payne 10WATSON STREETRichard Waring 29Albert Heaton 42Alan Cunliffe 32Thomas Manchester 33Anthony Smee 35Harry Anders 40Denise Molyneux 22Henry Harrison 18Arthur Fairclough 18Kenneth Watkin 17Brian Beesley 21Ronald Burrows 31Robert Fairclough 35Audrey Gaskell 41Charles Smith 14WELDALLUna Lowe 17

CORPORATEPaul Carey 41COWLEY HILLGerrard Owen 38CUMBERNAULDJames Primrose 17EDC REDDITCHColin Whitehead 42GREENGATEAnne Quayle 32Linda White 33Iain Brown 41LATHOMJohn Daniel 7

John Schofield 11Jeffrey Williams 29David Marsh 42Susan Lyon 40PLYGLASSAndrae Murnieks 19Kenneth Harding 27PRSLChristine Litherland 26QUEENBOROUGHMartin Allen 46WATSON STREETAlan Matthews 50

Retirements

List of retirements for the months of December 2015 to June2016 inclusive. The number of years’ service are as shown.

7

DONCASTERSilver Leaf Club: 2.00pm-4.00pm.2nd Thursday in the month at PilkingtonRecreation Club, Kirk Sandall. AllPensioners and Non-Pilkington Friends.Membership fee applies.

Day Club: 11.00am-3.30pm fortnightly(Wednesdays) at Pilkington RecreationClub, Kirk Sandall. Housebound and elderly only. Fee applies.

NORTH WALESWrexham Self-Help Group: Meets thelast Wednesday each month at theRailway Club Wrexham at 2.00pm. For further information contact Mr J Binnington on 01978 359289.St Asaph Self-Help Group: Meets 1stTuesday every month at RhuddlanCommunity Centre at 2.00pm. Moreinformation: Mr G Jones on 01745332517.

Monday Club: 11.00am-2.00pm.

First and third Monday eachmonth.Community Hall, Rhuddlan.Contact: Peter Greulich 01745 814341

SOUTH WALESSelf-Help Group: Fortnightly(Wednesdays) between 2.00pm-4.00pm PILCS Social Club,New Road, New Inn, Pontypool. Moreinformation:

Day Club: Meets monthly on a Friday11.00am-3.00pm at ‘Widdershins’ EastAvenue, off Greenhill Road, Sebastopol.Contact: Sally Lewis on 07788 956439.

KINGS NORTON TRIPLEX SOCIALCLUB

Bingo: Every Monday1.15pmKings Norton Pensioners’ FriendshipClub: First Thursday of every monthBowling: Each weekday from 13.30One Coach Trip per month from May toSeptemberST HELENS WELFARE LEISURECENTREMondaySewing Group: 9.30am (Patchworkquilting etc).Ladies dominoes, 6.00pm-9pm

What’s on Please ring 01744 457909 for further details

DONCASTERSilver Leaf Club: 2.00pm-4.00pm.2nd Thursday in the month at PilkingtonRecreation Club, Kirk Sandall. AllPensioners and Non-Pilkington Friends.Membership fee applies.

Day Club: 11.00am-3.30pm fortnightly(Wednesdays) at Pilkington RecreationClub, Kirk Sandall.

NORTH WALESSt Asaph Self-Help Group: Meets 1stTuesday every month at RhuddlanCommunity Centre at 2.00pm. Moreinformation: Mr G Jones on 01745332517.

Monday Club: 11.00am-2.00pm.First and third Monday eachmonth.Community Hall, Rhuddlan.Contact: Peter Greulich 01745 81434

SOUTH WALESSelf-Help Group: Fortnightly(Wednesdays) between 2.00pm-4.00pm PILCS Social Club,New Road, New Inn, Pontypool.

Day Club: Meets monthly on a Friday11.00am-3.00pm at ‘Widdershins’ EastAvenue, off Greenhill Road, Sebastopol.Contact: Sally Lewis on 07788 956439.

ST HELENS WELFARE LEISURECENTREMondaySewing Group: 9.30am (Patchworkquilting etc).Ladies dominoes, 6.00pm-9.00pmTuesdayArt Group: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of everymonth. 50+ Ladies Keep Fit: 2.00pm-3.00pm Pilkington Choir: 7.45pm

Men’s snooker group, Monday,Wednesday and Friday afternoons

WednesdayRambler’s Coffee Morning: 10.30am(1st Wednesday in every month). Water Colour Painting: (2nd & 4th Wednesday in every month)9.30am inc. Beginners Section.

Ladies Crown Green Bowling PracticeNight: 6.30pmThursdayChi Kung: 10.30am-11.30pm. Tai Chi:11.45am-12.45pm.Indoor Bowling – winter months:1.00pm.FridaysWomen’s Indoor Bowling – wintermonths: 6:00pm-9.00pm.Alternate Fridays Companions: 2.00pm. TV Lounge andGames Room for darts, dominoes,bingo and cards (always available). Women’s Bowling 6:00pm-9.00pm.Indoor bowling - winter

SELF-HELP GROUPSThere are eight geographicallydedicated groups in and around StHelens. Each group meets once amonth and participates in a variedprogramme of events.

SuttonThe Blue Room, Shining Light, Sutton Manor Primary School, Forest Road, Sutton. 1st Wednesday of each month10.30am-12 noon.

EcclestonSt Luke’s Church, Knowsley Road,Eccleston. 1st Thursday of each month10.30am-12 noon.

HaydockSt James Church, Church Road,Haydock. 2nd Wednesday of eachmonth 10.30am-12 noon.

Burscough Ormskirk Social GroupOlder People’s Club, Lord Street.3rd Tuesday of the month 2.00pm-4.00pm

St Ann’s Social GroupSt Ann’s Millennium Centre View Road,Rainhill. 2nd Monday of the month10.30am-12 noon

Moss Bank Social GroupMoss Bank Mission, Moss Bank Road. ,St Helens. Last Tuesday of the month 10.30am-12 noon

Thatto HeathSt John’s Church, Crossley Road,Thatto Heath. Third Thursday of themonth, 1.30pm-3.00pm

Reflections GroupLeisure Centre, Ruskin Drive, StHelens. meets on a Fridayapproximately every six weeks,1.30pm-3.30pm

Managing incontinence

Stress incontinenceIf the pelvic floor muscles are weak, then any kind of stress put

onto the bladder can cause it to leak some urine. For example,coughing and sneezing increase the amount of pressure within theabdomen and can cause some leakage. The pelvic floor can be weakfor various reasons, including obesity or previous pregnancies due tothe added weight supported by the pelvic floor. People who sufferwith this kind of incontinence can often improve it by pelvic floorexercises done daily (see link at the end of this article). Sometimessurgery is an option, to reinforce the support around the base of thebladder, although this is generally reserved for troublesome caseswhere other methods have not worked.

Urge incontinenceIn some people, the cause of incontinence may be that the bladder

is falsely being told to empty itself by the nerves that control it. So,all of a sudden, the bladder may receive a strong signal to pass urineand, even with a strong pelvic floor, the entire bladder may beinvoluntarily emptied. The patient will notice a sudden, strong urgeand will not be able to react quickly enough. Sometimes this problemwith the bladder nerves is linked to an underlying health problemsuch as diabetes, or after a stroke, but often it is just something thathappens for no good reason. Smoking and drinking lots of caffeinecan, however, increase the risk of this kind of incontinence. To try andimprove things, your doctor may first try a period of ‘bladder training’,where the length of time that the patient is able to wait is very slowlyprolonged. However, if this is not successful there are medicationsthat can help. Examples include oxybutynin and solifenacin. Both of

these medications act on the bladder nerves to calm them down andstabilise the bladder. These types of drugs can sometimes cause a drymouth or constipation, but are generally found to be helpful bypatients that use them.Of course, sometimes people may have a mixture of the types of

incontinence described above; if it is unclear, therefore, how to besttreat it, your doctor may refer you to a urologist who may performvarious tests to assess the function of the bladder.If incontinence is a new problem, there may be a correctable

cause such as a urine infection, which can be easily diagnosed byyour doctor.

How else can incontinence be managed?If urine leakage does not respond to any of the treatments

mentioned above, then the key is to making the patient ascomfortable as possible. This may involve ensuring that there areenough pads to change frequently, and your doctor can refer you tothe local incontinence service who may be able to supply these. Insome cases, it may be appropriate to insert a catheter into thebladder to allow it to drain constantly. This can have its ownproblems, including an increased risk of urine infections, but in somecases it can make the situation a lot more comfortable.It is important not to suffer in silence with leakage symptoms; do go

and see your doctor to rule out any underlying cause and to get adviceon how it can be improved.Please see the following website if you are interested in pelvic floor

exercises: http://patient.info/health/pelvic-floor-exercises

Incontinence of urine can happen for a number of reasons, each of which are treated differently.There are two main reasons why that might not happen as it should (‘stress incontinence’ and‘urge incontinence’), and these are explained here.

These dogs not only provide safety and security,they are also wonderful companions, providinginvaluable friendship and confidence to thosewith hearing loss.The charity was founded in 1982 at the world

famous Crufts dog show, by Dr Bruce Fogle andLady Beatrice Wright. From these humblebeginnings, the charity has grown enormously. Todate, it has created and supported more than2,000 hearing dog partnerships for deaf childrenand adults.Hearing Dogs started training dogs for children

in 2012 and there are now 27 child partnershipsacross the UK. Hearing dog puppies start theirtraining at around eight weeks old. At this youngage they live with volunteers in their own homeswho teach them basic obedience and take theminto shops, restaurants, cafes, and on publictransport to get them comfortable with as manydifferent situations as they can. This is a vitalstage of the puppies’ progress as it ensures theyare prepared for future daily life with theirrecipient.Volunteers are an integral part of the work of

Hearing Dogs. In total, there are 1,740 dedicatedvolunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes,

helping with anything from gardening and driving,to looking after a young puppy in their ownhomes.After spending around 12-14 months with a

volunteer puppy socialiser, the young dogsprogress onto unique ‘soundwork’ training at oneof two specialist training centres, either inBuckinghamshire or Yorkshire.Here they are taught in ‘training houses’ which

are specifically designed to replicate a home,learning to respond to certain sounds such as thedoorbell, alarm clock and fire alarm. Hearingdogs are trained using positive methods and areconsistently rewarded for completing a requiredbehaviour.Every dog-in-training is regularly assessed to

ensure that they are meeting the exceptionallyhigh standards required to become a hearing dog.Their complete training takes months of hardwork by volunteers and full-time specialist dogtrainers and is both stimulating and enjoyable forthe puppies.When qualified, hearing dogs go through a very

careful matching process to make sure they aresuitable for their new deaf recipient. The charitycarefully considers a deaf person’s lifestyle, home

and work environment, and hobbies whenmatching them with a dog that will suit all oftheir needs and make the perfect companion. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People receives no

government funding and so relies solely on thesupport of others to continue its life-changingwork.

For more information, please visitwww.hearingdogs.org.uk

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Is this the oldestPilkington pet?Meet Wally. He’s a Senegalese parrot.His owner, Pilkington’s beneficiary,

Mrs Joyce Toohey of St Helens, advisesus that she bought Wally when her sonwas 21 years old, some 36 years ago! Wally is partial to fruit polos, jam on

toast and plain hob nobs, which haveobviously, at 36, done him no harm. Soour question to all our readers issimple, do you have a pet that is olderthan Wally? If so please let us know.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a national charity that trains clever dogs to alert deaf people toimportant sounds such as the doorbell, alarm clock and fire alarm.

Green appealWe have received anunusual request fromMrs Hirst in Lincolnshire.She was wondering if

any of our kindbeneficiaries might knowwhere she can buy a SirHarry Pilkington rose from?She purchased one manyyears ago andunfortunately it hasrecently given up theghost! Or alternatively, ifthey cannot be purchasedanymore, if anyone has arose and would be kindenough to give us acutting, we will make sureit makes it safely toLincolnshire. Thank-you.

Pilkington Ramblers

During the wintermonths we stay within

the local vicinity, however, from March until October we travelby coach to various locations. The next walks are as follows:Tuesday, 19 July, Llanrwst (Coach); Wednesday, 17 August,Ulverston (Coach); Thursday, 22 September, Lytham (Coach);Tuesday, 18 October, Skipton (Coach); Wednesday, 16November, Briars Hall (no coach - own transport); Wednesday,7 December, Christmas Lunch - Ruskin Drive.We have a coffee morning on the first Wednesday of every

month starting at 10.15 am. Its purpose is to understand the

location, the length and the nature of each walk. If you decideyou would like to participate on the walk it is at the coffeemorning where you book a seat on the coach. It is also abrilliant opportunity to meet up with colleagues.We are aware that some pensioners may not know that

such a Club exists and, therefore, if you wish to join thePilkington Ramblers Section please come along to the coffeemorning on the first Wednesday of each month in thePilkington Pensioners Pavilion, Ruskin Drive at 10.15 am.The completion of three walks enables you to become amember of the Pilkington Ramblers.

8

Pilkington Ramblers Section was founded in 1989 and is still going strong.We have an organised walk each month and cater for varying abilities whichare as follows: Long walk, approx. eight miles; Middle walk, approx. six miles;Short walk, approx. four miles.

Pilkington Transport –Past and PresentMr John Davies, who worked in the Transport Departmentfor 32 years, has built up a collection of photographs oftransport lorries from various works. If anyone has any photographs of lorries from Pontypool or

Queensborough Works he would be grateful if you couldemail them to him to add to his collection. He has alsooffered to email any photos which may be of interest toanyone else.John’s email address is johndavies64@blueyonder.co.uk

Congratulations to Barbara Johnson who was our £10 Winter 2015crossword competition winner!