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The Guide Dogs magazine
Forward
Spring/Summer 2021
Guide Dogs turns 90!
Jo and Flash help us celebrate
Guide Line – the new way CustomEyes Books gets My Time to Play: a new service
to contact Guide Dogs its own digital store for children with sight loss
WHATEVER HELPS YOUR CAUSE Donate Virgin Points to Guide Dogs and help change lives Join Virgin Red, Virgin’s brand-new rewards club, to earn Virgin Points on the everyday, and spend them on everything from Everyday Treats to Extraordinary Experiences. You can even use your Points for Good and donate to Guide Dogs and help transform a young dog into a future life-changing guide dog. Sign up now at virgin.com/virgin-red Over 18s only, UK residents, membership required, terms and conditions apply
Contents
Regulars Features P9
P12
13 All the latest
volunteering news
14 Find out about Guide
Line – the new way to
contact Guide Dogs
5 Welcome from the CEO
P28
6 News
All the very latest from
across Guide Dogs
10 Guide Dogs in the media
We’ve been making the
news in a big way
P6 P21
16 Introducing Puppy
Raising for Excellent
Partnerships
18 Richard and
Martin’s story
Richard’s second
11
guide dog has helped
Star news
him discover walking
We’re loving our
for pleasure
celebrity supporters
12 On the campaign trail
21 A life of adventure
Mollie left a gift to
23 A day in the life of… Guide Dogs so others
Penny Hefferan, Service could enjoy the same
User Voice Officer freedom she did
24 Thank you to
our supporters 22 A guide dog named
Ben in memory of
a special son
P11 30 New partnerships
27 CustomEyes
Books gets its
38 Letters & Caption
competition
own digital shop
28
Puppy Rex has
My Time to Play
found a veg box
Our new service for
39 In good company
young children with
sight loss
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 3
Parents,
let’s talk tech!
Technology is vital for children with a
vision impairment. It supports learning,
creativity, life skills and independence.
That’s why we will soon be launching Tech for All.
Whilst stocks last, we will offer a free Apple iPad
or iPhone to children with a vision impairment
(aged 3-18) to use outside of school.
All you need to do to apply is fill in a simple form,
and provide proof of your child’s vision impairment.
Applications open soon,
so find out more now at
guidedogs.org.uk/techforall
Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979). GD0442 05/21
Editorial contributions: Founding Editor:
Send your stories to Forward by email The late Captain Nikolai Liakhoff MBE FRZS
to forward@guidedogs.org.uk or by
post to the Head Office address below. Registered Head Office:
Unfortunately, due to the volume of ideas The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association,
we receive, we cannot acknowledge Hillfields, Burghfield Common,
every item. We reserve the right to edit Reading RG7 3YG
or refuse.
Tel: 0118 983 5555
Subscription enquiries: Web: guidedogs.org.uk
You’re receiving this copy of Forward Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
magazine as one of our valued supporters.
Forward is available in standard print, © 2021 Registered charity in England and
Braille, large print and audio CD formats. Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979)
It’s also available as an accessible PDF, as
a plain text document and as audio files at Any products or services advertised in
guidedogs.org.uk/forward. Forward by third parties are not in any way
endorsed by Guide Dogs, and Guide Dogs
If you no longer wish to receive this shall not be responsible for the accuracy
magazine, or if you wish to change the of any information contained in such
format in which it’s sent to you, please advertisements nor has it investigated or
contact us on 0800 953 0113 or via verified any of the information.
guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk.
4 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021
A welcome
from Tom
I can’t tell you what a relief it is to write this greeting
with cautious optimism about the UK coming out of
the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course things can change
(very quickly, too) but, at the time of writing, the green
shoots of normal life were well and truly sprouting.
At Guide Dogs, we’re in a celebratory mood and The 66 extra trainee Guide Dog Mobility
not just because some restrictions are starting Specialists and Guide Dog Trainers we
to ease. This year is the 90th anniversary of recruited recently are all well on their way
the UK’s first guide dog partnerships. On our with their training, and they’re already helping
front cover, there’s a striking photo of actor our efforts to speed up training schedules and
Joanna Page with our 90th anniversary reduce waiting times. We’re recruiting even
puppy, Flash, named after one of our first four more trainees this autumn as we gear up to
guide dogs. We’ve made a heart-warming achieve our target of 1,000 new partnerships
short animated film about Flash to kick off the every year.
celebrations – find out more on page 11.
Plus there’s more good news, as some of the
It’s fitting that our programme of investment virtual ways of helping people with sight loss
into our sites is well underway, ensuring that that we were forced to adopt last year have
we can help even more people with sight loss become so successful that they’re here to stay.
and their families into the next 90 years and One great example of this is our My Time To
beyond. Our new South West Regional Centre Play service, which you can read more about
in Bristol has its official opening in early July, on pages 28-29.
and our Reading Community Team has moved
into a repurposed annexe alongside our Since my last Forward greeting, the guide dog
Central Office on a site that’s now known as mum that my wife Charlotte and I care for,
the Reading Hub. At the end of March, Trustees Dolly, has had a litter of 10 healthy puppies. You
approved our plans to redevelop our site in can follow one of them, Niko, a Sponsor a Puppy
Redbridge in north east London and create a named after one of our early trainers. We were
new regional hub. There’s more in the pipeline, a little worried as Dolly was a first-time mum
which I hope to be able to talk about next time. in lockdown but she did amazingly well, thanks
to the tremendous support of our National
Centre. We’re so proud of the incredible part
she’s played in what we do as a charity.
I hope you all have a fantastic summer.
Tom Wright CBE
Chief Executive
Guide Dogs
@TomwrightUK on Twitter
News News Our 90th anniversary is set to be bloomin’ brilliant! As part of celebrations Our conceptual sensory the beginnings of this charity around this year’s 90th garden will illustrate a journey with the first guide dog owners anniversary of the UK’s first from isolation and despair to being veterans blinded in guide dog partnerships, enrichment, acceptance and the Great War. Celebrating Guide Dogs will have a garden joy. Set in the 1930s, it’ll reflect with a garden at Chelsea at RHS Chelsea Flower Show will also raise awareness of this September. The Guide Guide Dogs as a charity and Dogs 90th Anniversary increase public understanding Garden will be in the artisan of sight loss, bringing the issue small garden category. The to new audiences. designers, Jonathan Smith and Adam Woolcott, are You’ll notice lots more Chelsea veterans with four references to the anniversary coveted gold medals and throughout this magazine three BBC/RHS People’s and for all the latest plans, Awards for Best Small Garden visit guidedogs.org.uk from between them. the autumn. Own your very own adorable cuddly toy Flash We’ve made a heart-warming Flash has cute puppy eyes go towards the many services animated film to celebrate the and weighted paws. Guide Dogs provides to 90th anniversary of the UK’s help people with sight loss first guide dog partnerships This is an exciting year for to live the life they choose. this year (more on page 11). the Guide Dogs Shop, as Visit guidedogsshop.com. The film is called Flash, after we’ll be re-launching our one of those first four guide online store with an updated dogs, and we’ve released an design and much-improved adorable soft toy version of shopping experience. We’ll Flash which is available from be introducing brand-new the Guide Dogs Shop. This product ranges, including a yellow Labrador toy is the 90th anniversary gift range perfect cuddly companion for in celebration of the milestone little ones and collectors alike. we have reached this year. All Made from soft acrylic fabric, profits raised from purchases 6 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021
News
Welcoming royalty – virtually!
We were delighted to Claire Kinnaird, a fosterer
virtually welcome Their Royal from Dundee, told the royal
Highnesses Edward and couple: “I’ve been so well
Sophie, the Earl and Countess supported by Guide Dogs
of Wessex and Forfar, to meet throughout, even when it has
some of the staff, volunteers become remote. I live alone
and service users local to so a trainee guide dog was
our Forfar centre in Scotland a fantastic companion for
in January. On what was an me, which I know he will also
official engagement, The Earl become for someone with
and Countess learned of the sight loss.”
exceptional work of our staff
and volunteers in the previous Their Royal Highnesses also
year, despite the challenges of heard from Nicky Smart, who
Covid-19. This included coming had qualified with guide dog
up with creative ideas for Shane, and Dianna Simpson,
fundraising, campaigning and whose child was supported
the fostering of trainee guide by Guide Dogs’ Children
dogs at short notice. and Young People services
throughout the pandemic.
Percy the guide dog…
and best man
When Allen Richardson and Margaret and after the vows,
his wife Margaret renewed everyone shared a large
their vows, Allen’s guide dog homemade wedding cake.
Percy had a starring role… Allen said that Percy even
as best man! Margaret was managed to make it on to the
receiving palliative care video call.
at a hospice in Wimbledon,
London, when the ceremony Allen, who originally married
took place last summer and, Margaret in 1987, said:
because Covid-19 restrictions “I wanted to marry her again
were still in place, the couple to impress on her how I felt
couldn’t be together. So the about her. The hospice staff
whole event was conducted were brilliant. It was a full was also blind like me. Sadly
via video technology linking hour-long ceremony with Margaret passed away in
up Allen, Margaret and the hymns and everything. They August after a long illness,
vicar of their local church. did all they could to make sure but I’m so pleased I got the
Hospice staff made a beautiful that Margaret understood chance to show her just how
wildflower bouquet for what was going on, as she much I loved her.”
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 7
News
All aboard with pressing Making Guide Dogs
transport changes even more accessible
Guide Dogs Cymru has been lobbying to Guide Dogs has teamed up with a specialist
make Wales a safer place for vision-impaired provider to make our information more
pedestrians and passengers. accessible to people who are deaf-blind.
This summer, 20mph speed limits will be We support a number of people who
introduced in eight trial areas and, from are dual-impaired, so we want to ensure
July 2022, councils in Wales will be able to our information is accessible to anyone
target hot spots and issue increased fines for who needs it, including people who use
people who park on pavements unnecessarily. British Sign Language. We’re therefore
The move will be boosted by a public delighted to be teaming up with video relay
awareness campaign. service provider SignVideo on an online
interpretation service.
Guide Dogs Cymru is also pressing for tactile
paving to be installed on all railway station This means if you would like to contact Guide
platforms in Wales to warn vision-impaired Dogs via British Sign Language, you can
passengers that they’re nearing the platform call us via SignVideo and an interpreter will
edge. The danger was highlighted by the appear in an instant.
death of a man with sight loss who fell onto
the track at a station near London last year. You can find the link to the service on
External Affairs Manager Andrea Gordon either the coronavirus page on our website
said: “Some 63% of station platforms in Wales guidedogs.org.uk/contact-us, or on SignVideo’s
currently have no tactile paving, and many Directory on their app.
stations are unstaffed.
“Inconsistency leads to confusion, and some
passengers may wrongly assume that because
there’s no tactile paving, they are not near the
platform edge. This puts them at unacceptable
risk, particularly on rural stations.”
Good Dog! makes life with
your dog a walk in the park
With 90 years of world-leading dog training
expertise, we’ve created our very own training
and welfare product for the nation’s dogs
and the owners who love them! Our monthly
subscription service contains advice and
guidance from our expert trainers through Good Dog! doesn’t just help pet dog owners
regular emails, step-by-step training videos have a happy, well-behaved canine companion.
and seasonal gifts sent in the mail. From The £10 per month subscription also allows
advice on loose-lead walking and recall, to us to provide vital support to people living
enrichment games and helping your dog deal with vision impairments, so they can live
with stress – there’s so much to learn and their life with confidence and freedom. Visit
enjoy with Good Dog! guidedogs.org.uk/good-dog to find out more.
8 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021
News
Raising a cup to National Tea Day
Guide Dogs celebrated National Tea Unfortunately, we didn’t break last
Day in style again this year with our year’s Guinness World Record this
Virtual Tea Party. time around. We knew it was going to
be an epic challenge, but we’re still the
Thank you to everyone who took the official record holders for the world’s
time to join us for a cuppa, take a tea biggest virtual tea party as no-one
selfie and show people with sight loss anywhere in the world has come close
they are not alone. People joined us to beating our amazing 2020 total.
from home, from work and from their
sunny gardens. Many of our wonderful
volunteers and guide dog owners took
part with lots accompanied by some of
our life-changing dogs!
Actor David Bradley raises
a cuppa for Guide Dogs’
Virtual Tea Party
Media highlights
Guide Dogs in the
media
BBC 2’s Great
British Menu helped
us celebrate our 90th anniversary,
as the theme of this year’s series was
British innovation and invention. Competing
chef Dan McGeorge took inspiration for
his dessert course dish from our founders,
Muriel Crooke and Rosamund Bond, as
he’s from Liverpool, where UK guide dog
training began. The show featured an
interview with North West Operations
Manager Sally McCoy about our history.
Dan won his regional heat and then his
We’ve released our first immersive reading
dish, titled Give a Dog a Bone, was chosen
book, The Gruffalo, complete with a sniff
by judges for the dessert course at the
kit containing the smells of the characters
show’s finale banquet. At the end of the
– making bedtime stories inclusive and fun
feast, guests then voted him Champion
for the whole family and raising awareness
of Champions!
of our children and young people’s services.
We launched the kit on BBC Breakfast, with
coverage then spreading from more than
a dozen local BBC radio stations to the
World Service. The Sunday Express, Sky
News, Daily Star and Sunday Mirror also
featured the kit.
In April, ITV’s Evening News
programme covered how
former guide dog puppy
in training, Mason, had a
new temporary job helping
nurses at the Royal Bolton
Hospital in Lancashire. Sian Healey and guide dog Uri took part
Mason provided emotional in Off The Leash, a regular feature on
support while he was waiting to be placed BBC 1’s Morning Live in which dog walkers
with a child with sight loss as a buddy meet outdoors to discuss the issues of the
dog. The piece featured on the ITV News day. Filming took place at Hailey Park in
website, and the story was also covered by Cardiff, where Sian turned the debate to the
Manchester Evening News online. difficulties of social distancing with sight loss.
10 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021Star news
Celebrity
support
Joanna’s new friend is so Flash
We kicked off our 90th Joanna said: “It was such a
anniversary celebrations pleasure to meet the adorable
by launching our wonderful Flash. Her name carries so
Flash animation. Flash is much history for Guide Dogs in
an adorable guide dog pup its 90th year, and I’m delighted
named after one of the first to help tell the story of Flash “You’re all the
four guide dogs back in 1931. and other life-changing dogs kipper’s knickers”
like her. Of course Flash’s
The three-minute film tells the incredible journey wouldn’t be Celebrity chef Ainsley
story of Flash and her puppy possible without Guide Dogs’ Harriott and Countdown’s
raiser Annie, following them amazing volunteers. I was lexicographer Susie Dent
on their first year together. so pleased to be the voice of recorded wonderful
Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Flash in the audio story, which messages of thanks for
Page voiced a special audio means everyone can enjoy this our Virtual Volunteer
version of the story, created wonderful tale.” Awards event in March.
specifically for people with sight Susie thought it might
loss. She even got a chance to To watch the animation, visit be fun to give us some
meet the real-life Flash. guidedogs.org.uk/flash. alternative names for the
award categories – some
words from the historical
John Barnes dictionary that, to her, still
pack a punch. She ended
reimagines his by telling everyone they
were ‘the kipper’s knickers’,
legendary rap which dates back to 1920s
America and indicates
England football legend John something excellent,
Barnes reimagined his iconic admirable or first-rate.
rap from the 1990 FIFA World
Cup song World in Motion to
encourage people to take part Jess’s Silver Linings
original release for the 1990
in our Walk Your Socks Off Jess Impiazzi released
FIFA World Cup. Walk Your
challenge in May. John said: her autobiography, Silver
Socks Off is something that
“It was my absolute pleasure Linings, in January, with
anyone can do, by themselves
to record a very special a chapter on why she
or teaming up with others.”
version of my rap from World became a Guide Dogs
in Motion especially for Guide You can still watch John’s ambassador and her
Dogs’ Walk Your Socks Off Walk Your Socks Off rap at mum’s guide dog journey.
challenge, 31 years after its TinyURL.com/WYSORap.
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 11Campaigning
E-scooter awareness
On the
As e-scooter rental trials continue,
we’ve been working to raise awareness
of the hazard that their misuse
campaign
can cause to people with sight loss.
We have seen reports across the
country of e-scooters being ridden on
trail
pavements and parked inconsiderately,
with guidance on their usage ignored
and unenforced. Private e-scooters
still remain unregulated, despite being
present on our streets.
Guide Dogs has been engaging
We’ve been looking at the issues with retailers, local authorities and
surrounding e-scooters, as well law makers to ensure the safety
as campaigning for children of pedestrians with sight loss;
most recently, MPs met people
and young people’s support with vision impairments who shared
their encounters with e-scooters.
Visit guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns
to find out more about our work on
e-scooters in your area.
Making childhood equal for everyone
At the end of last year, MPs heard directly from authorities, in mainstream and specialist
children and their families about the vital importance education, and highlighted what they
of specialist support for children and young people think needs to change.
with sight loss. At our well-attended online event with
Westminster MPs, Nell, Kelsey and Erin and their We’re working for a future where
families talked about their experiences with local every person with sight loss has the
confidence and support to live the life
they choose. That starts with making
childhood equal for children and young
people with sight loss.
To help take this work forward, Guide
Dogs is setting up our Creating the
Future Commission. We believe there
should be a consistent and ambitious
pathway to support children with sight
loss across the UK from the point of
diagnosis through to their transition to
adulthood. Every young person should
be able to access the support they need
to pursue their ambitions and achieve
their full potential. Find out more at
guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns.
12 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021Volunteering
Go figure: the story behind
our volunteering stats
Ask any data analyst about Earlier this year, we conducted our Volunteer
statistics and you could be Impact Assessment. James Needham, Project
Lead, said: “In 2021, it wasn’t surprising that
forgiven for feeling lost in a there was a lot of interest in seeing how we’d
‘numbers’ conversation, without responded to the pandemic and what had or
really knowing what it all means hadn’t worked as we shifted to remote working
and how it relates to real life. for different volunteer roles.
But it’s their job – a bit like Sherlock Holmes – “Staff and volunteers identified a very wide
to find clues within the data, bring it to life and research brief and we’re grateful to those
tell the story behind the stats. To do this, they who fed back in surveys and workshops.
need to collect the stories and information. Not everyone wants to complete a detailed
survey and in response, volunteers will also
So, how does this happen? At Guide Dogs, see shorter ‘Pulse’ surveys to complement
we carry out detailed research every two the deeper research.”
years with our volunteers and staff to find out
what’s going well and where we can develop. The January 2021 pulse survey showed that
It’s called a Volunteer Impact Assessment. while volunteers understood the connection
What we evaluate is decided by staff and between their role and Guide Dogs’ aims,
volunteers from across different teams. we’ve seen more volunteers feeling that we’re
not communicating information about their
As a result of feedback from the 2019 role, and fewer feeling that they’re making a
survey, we made a number of improvements. useful contribution.
This included introducing new volunteer
induction days, new staff training in supporting In response, we’ve put a number of actions in
volunteers, a new approach to volunteer place including awareness raising internally
communications, and work to improve our of the importance of keeping in touch locally.
response times to enquiries about fundraising We’ve also equipped staff with the information
or speaker roles. Our new dedicated customer and support they need, alongside our roadmap
care team is also now in place. of activities to get back on track after Covid-19.
71%
Of our volunteers would
57
Is the average
13
Million hours is how long
strongly recommend age of a Guide Dogs it would take to carry out our
volunteering for Guide Dogs* volunteer* volunteers’ roles each year**
* Statistics from the 2019 Volunteer Impact Assessment. ** From the 2021 Pulse survey.Guide Line
Guide Line
The new way to get information
and advice from Guide Dogs staff
Guide Line is the easy volunteers – those who chat that’s the important first
need a quick response to a step that people with sight
way to get in touch with
dog health-related enquiry. loss make towards getting the
Guide Dogs for help or There’s also an accompanying help they need.
to find out about our email address that
range of services. complements our telephone Wendy Smith, Guide Line
service (details opposite). Operations Lead, said:
All you need is one telephone “We’re receiving around
number to speak to a member In January, Guide Line 200 calls each day, which
of staff who will be able to replaced our Covid-19 has been steadily increasing
answer your query straight information phone line, day-by-day. Some calls can
away or put you in touch which was set up last year in last five minutes and some two
with the most appropriate response to demand for help. hours. It all depends on what
person. By having a single Since January, we’ve dealt with the enquiry is but as a rule,
number we’re able to help more than 11,000 phone calls our first conversations with
more people with sight loss and more than 9,000 emails. new and returning applicants
more quickly, and be more take time because we’re really
consistent in how we offer As the gateway to Guide listening to the intricacies of
support across the country. Dogs’ support services for people’s lives – all aspects
adults and children and young including where they need
Our staff handle enquiries people, Guide Line Advisers help – and this is an area that
from the public, existing are highly trained members of cannot be rushed.”
and potential service users staff who are able to conduct
and, in some instances, our ‘first conversations’ – an initial
We’re really listening
to the intricacies of
people’s lives – all aspects
including where they
need help.Guide Line
Guide Line covers four areas:
1 Adult services: from a request for a
new service to a current guide dog
owner needing a new lead.
2 Children and Young People: starting with
first conversations, habilitation referrals,
buddy dogs and more.
3 Dog health: from volunteer Puppy Raisers
and guide dog owners when a quick
response is needed for either minor Meet Guide Line Adviser,
issues such as abrasions, or more serious
health and welfare concerns.
Maria McLaughlin
4
“I joined Guide Dogs as an office
General enquiries: anything and junior in 1982 and since then, I’ve
everything, including coordination of had many roles which have been
support for volunteering activities as well wide ranging – from carrying out
as fielding calls for our local community confidential work relating to staff
teams when someone doesn’t have a and clients to supporting clients and
direct line for a member of staff or their dealing with vets.
volunteer manager.
“I have supported different canine
teams including puppy raising, guide
Guide Line is staffed by 11 advisers with four dog ownership and dog health. I’ve
new advisers in training/about to commence also been lucky enough to rehome
training, along with three supervisors, one three retired guide dogs!
operation lead and one manager – with over
170 years of combined experience of working “On Guide Line, it’s very busy
at Guide Dogs, including 50 years of guide dog but I do enjoy the client contact,
owner experience. particularly carrying out ‘first
conversations’ when someone is
The majority of advisers have come from an applying or reapplying for a guide
operational community team background, dog. I’ve always enjoyed contact
dealing with puppy raising, dog health, My with our clients and when the role
Sighted Guide and fundraising. In addition, of Guide Line Adviser was advertised,
we have four on-call dog health and welfare I thought ‘that’s the job for me’.”
specialists every day to support Guide Line
staff with any dog health issues they are not
able to help with.
Guide Line supports our By My Side strategy
by allowing us to reach and help more people When the role of
by 2023 as we grow our ability to provide Guide Line Adviser was
information and advice. advertised, I thought
Call Guide Line on 0800 781 1444 ‘that’s the job for me’.
(Monday - Friday, 9-5pm) or email
information@guidedogs.org.uk.
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 15Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships
Introducing
Puppy Raising for
Excellent Partnerships
Puppy Raising for Excellent With PREP, everything begins with treating
our puppies as individuals. This helps us to
Partnerships (PREP) is our tailor support for their physical, behavioural
new standard way to raise our and emotional development, and give them
the important life skills they need to become
puppies which prepares them confident and well-adjusted adult dogs.
for their adult training and their
One key benefit of PREP is standardisation and
future roles as life-changers. consistency across our puppy raising schemes
It brings together the latest and how it aligns with our guide dog training
programme – Standardised Training for
positive reinforcement training Excellent Partnerships (STEP). Based on similar
methods, Guide Dogs’ expertise, principles, PREP provides all the key learnings
and behaviours puppies need to make the
and volunteer know-how to smooth transition into STEP.
ensure we give our puppies the David Grice, National Head of Dog Training
best possible start for their and Behaviour, said: “To prepare our puppies
guide dog training. for guide dog training, we need to ensure
they learn a range of skills growing up. These
‘key skills’ will support our pups to transition
into training and to learn the new behaviours
required so they can carry out the many tasks
they will need as a working guide dog.”
Although PREP will standardise the way we
raise our puppies and prepare them for
training, it doesn’t necessarily mean that
every Puppy Raiser and puppy will use the
same techniques to achieve the same outcome
at the same time. This is because PREP
recognises puppies and their Puppy Raisers as
individuals and provides the most appropriate
learning for both. Through this standardised
yet flexible approach, we’re able to adapt
training techniques, methods and support to
match the individual learning needs of our
puppies and Puppy Raisers.
16 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships
For our volunteer Puppy Raisers, we’re in relation to puppy development and training.
introducing additional support via an online Since last year, we’ve been investing in our
learning system called Kallidus to make it easier puppy development staff so they can fully
and more accessible to know how to raise our support the rollout of PREP to Puppy Raisers
puppies whilst offering greater support and from July 2021.
resources. This will include multimedia content,
updated guidance, resources and dedicated Mel Wharmby, Puppy Development Supervisor
support from our Puppy Development Advisors. (South West and Wales), said: “Having trained
on PREP, I feel extremely enthusiastic and
It’s not just our puppies and their Puppy confident about sharing it with my amazing
Raisers who will benefit from our puppy and volunteers and supporting other members of
person-centred approach – it’s their future the puppy development team.
partnerships too. Through our approach and
framework, there are long-term advantages to “With the training, I’ve gained a wide range
how we raise our puppies and find a role they’re of up-to-date knowledge and understanding
naturally suited to – whether that’s as a guide, of dog training from both the external
buddy or companion dog. With any future role, consultants we’ve worked with and other Puppy
our puppies learn important behavioural skills Development Advisors. I’ve even started using
which make them a joy to live with! the PREP principles with my pet dog, Ragnar,
who’s a six-year-old German shepherd.
PREP is a significant investment in our puppy
raising programme for both our staff and “I feel this is a positive way forward for Guide
volunteers. PREP evolves and updates our Dogs and the puppy department, and I can
puppy raising programme to build upon our see it will make foundation training with our
current best practices and scientific evidence puppies much stronger.”
We formed focus groups from members
of Puppy Raising Consultative Groups,
so there have been around 100 Puppy
Raisers who have directly inputted into “I’m really impressed with the
PREP. Here’s some of their feedback… thoroughness, layout and supportive,
informative guidance they provide.
I wish I’d had this when I started.”
Alison Timms, Puppy Raiser, Puppy Raising
Mentor and Puppy Raising Consultative
Group member (Midlands)
“Thank you again for allowing
me to share this journey with you all.
I’ve really enjoyed being involved
and wish you well with (hopefully)
the rollout later this year. It will be
greatly appreciated I know!” “Have been reflecting about
Patricia Twaite, Puppy Raiser what we saw yesterday and just
(South East) wanted to say how positive I thought
it was and how much I’m looking
forward to it going live!”
Sue Osario, Puppy Raising Mentor
and Fosterer (North West)
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 17Stories Richard’s story 18 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021
Stories
When Richard Wadwell’s
first guide dog died, it was
a traumatic experience
that left him struggling
to get to work or have a
social life. Fortunately,
the problems didn’t last
too long. Richard now has
a confident new dog that
is helping him do more
than ever before.
“When I got my first dog Ralph “It was a great stepping Losing Ralph
in 2012, he was a revelation stone. A year later I landed “Unfortunately, much of that
to me,” says Richard. “I was a full-time job in an office in freedom ended seven years
born with bilateral cataracts the centre of Leeds. It meant later when Ralph passed away
and have had barely any a commute on the train from suddenly from a heart tumour.
sight since birth, but I always my home in Skipton but with It was horrible. Losing a dog is
just got on with things and Ralph by my side, it didn’t not nice for anyone – but when
didn’t want to draw attention bother me at all. Compared you rely on them as well it’s
to myself. to where I’d been a few years really hard.
earlier, having Ralph felt like
“It was only in my mid-30s complete freedom.” “The biggest challenge was my
that I decided to get in touch job. I still had to commute and
with Guide Dogs. It was the had to do it with a white cane –
best move I could have made. which I don’t like using at all.
As soon as I got Ralph, I felt I find using the cane draining
for the first time that I could and slow, because you need to
be spontaneous, go out Losing a dog is not nice concentrate so much.
whenever I wanted, and not for anyone – but when
rely on anyone else. you rely on them as well “Pretty soon I was leaving
home ridiculously early at
“The best thing about getting
it’s really hard. 5:30am, just to make sure I
Ralph though was he helped got to work on time. I had no
me get back into work. I’d social life. With Ralph I would
been unemployed for a while do things in the evenings with
after being made redundant, friends, maybe go to the pub,
and was struggling to find but now I was coming home
another job. exhausted and going straight
to bed.
“Just two months after Ralph
arrived, I decided to prove “It felt like working and
my worth by taking on two commuting just wasn’t
volunteer roles, at Citizens sustainable any more. It was
Advice and a local museum. a huge blow to my confidence.”
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 19Stories
Back on track difference in his harness. He “I don’t know Manchester
Richard said: “I shouldn’t gets excited because it’s a new very well, and there will
have been too worried, challenge for him to overcome. be new things to negotiate
because things are now better It’s amazing to witness really.” like trams – but with Martin
than ever. It started when working with me, the challenge
I was matched with my new Looking to the future doesn’t daunt me. I know we’ll
dog, Martin, and we began “Not long after I got Martin, be able to cope easily. After
training together. the Covid pandemic and a year of working from home,
lockdown started, so I’ve been it’s actually quite exciting!
“I could see the training had working from home like most
progressed since I’d done it other people. “One of the other upsides
with Ralph. You still do a of lockdown has been that
two-week residential course, “There is better news on the I’ve been walking five miles
but then you also have to go horizon though, because I’ve with Martin every day on
through an additional, rigorous been offered a new role at different routes to keep us fit
phase of training at home work that ultimately means I’ll and occupied. It’s been fun,
where you get each capability need to go to our Manchester actually. I’ve discovered new
signed off step-by-step as you office one day a week as well parts of Skipton and routes
reach the right level. as still going to Leeds. that I never knew existed.
“Martin is a fantastic problem “I’ve also realised that
solver. We’ve got major road walking just for walking’s
works going on near my home sake can be a pleasure.
that change layout all the Whenever we’re going In fact, walking has become
time, but Martin seems to somewhere new, Martin my relaxation, and that’s
love finding new ways to get gets excited because it’s something I never would have
around them. a new challenge for him. thought I’d say a few years
ago! I’ll definitely be doing a
“Whenever we’re going lot more of it in the future.”
somewhere new, I can feel the
20 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021Stories
A life of
adventure Mollie parasailing
Many people choose to leave a legacy to
Guide Dogs as they know our services offer
people with sight loss the chance to live a
life of freedom and independence. We’d like
to share the inspiring story of Mollie, who
was able to go on many exciting adventures
thanks to her guide dogs.
Mollie was born in 1925 with the inherited
condition Usher Syndrome, which causes Mollie flying
hearing loss and sight loss. After spending many
years in assisted living accommodation, she
decided she wanted to be more independent,
so applied for her first guide dog in 1973.
Mollie had four guide dogs during her
extraordinary lifetime. Nita, Bonnie, Alice
and Tara all boosted her confidence, so
much so that she began travelling. First
she toured around England, then to British
Columbia and Malta where, aged 62, she tried
parasailing. She had to stand on the beach,
run as fast as she could towards the water
and then jump in the air!
Two years later, she attended a disabled
water sports day where she tried water skiing.
Two instructors attached a longer bar to a
motorboat and positioned themselves on either
side of her. Mollie and her instructors managed
to complete two circuits of the lake. Mollie has
Mollie and Tara
also taken part in archery, indoor climbing,
flying, trampolining and camel riding.
A tireless fundraiser for Guide Dogs, she
participated in events like sponsored swims and
tandem bicycle rides. Mollie also gave a monthly
Find out more
donation and left a gift in her Will when she died
in April 2018, as Guide Dogs had made such a To find out how gifts in Wills can help
life-changing difference to her. She knew our people with sight loss live life to the full,
vital work can only be made possible thanks to visit guidedogs.org.uk/giftsinwills
the generosity of people who leave a legacy gift.
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 21Stories
Lucy’s Bowl
In memory of a special
son and a special dog
An angler from Gloucestershire has “The aim for this year is to name 20 puppies
raised more than £100,000 for Guide either Lucy or Ben.”
Dogs and named a guide dog puppy Ben Last year’s competition, held in August at RK
in memory of his son. Keith Sykes, from Leisure’s Wraysbury complex, near Staines in
Cirencester, founded Lucy’s Bowl fishing Surrey, saw 50 anglers taking part, with social
competition in 2011, named after his distancing measures in place as outlined by the
beloved pet dog, Lucy. Angling Trust and the Government. This year’s
Keith has since named 18 guide dog puppies 10th anniversary event is on 20-22 August,
through Guide Dogs’ Name a Puppy scheme, at the same place.
helping them on their way to becoming Keith added: “We’d also like to say a massive
life-changers. Keith said: “We’d always used thank you to the owner of RK Leisure, Raphael
the money raised from the event to name Khalili, for allowing us to use the complex free
guide dog puppies Lucy, up until last year. of charge for Lucy’s Bowl. Without his support,
“In 2019 I sadly lost my son, Ben, who was we’d struggle to hold the event and make it
36, to bowel cancer. He was a linchpin in the such a success each year. Guide dogs are
success of Lucy’s Bowl and a trustee. He was life-changing, that’s what drives us all on. It’s
always there in the background, supporting me amazing to think that this competition creates
and the whole event. a legacy for my dog and now my son. It’s also
very humbling to think that a dog and some
“We had a trustees’ meeting at the beginning anglers have achieved what we have.”
of 2020 and it was decided that, in memory of
Ben, we would raise money to name pups after
him too.” Find out more
The first guide dog puppy named Ben by the To find out more about naming a guide dog
event is a black retriever/Labrador cross, puppy, visit guidedogs.org.uk/nameapuppy
born in February last year. Keith added:
22 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021A day in the life of…
A day in the life of…
Penny Hefferan, Service User Voice Officer
The first thing you notice when speaking to “One question I’m asking all the time is ‘how
Penny Hefferan about her role is her passion did that make you feel?’. Of course it’s awful
for what she does. In early January, Penny to hear that a guide dog owner had a close
started as Service User Voice Officer – making encounter with an e-scooter. But it’s something
sure that what those who use our services else when you then learn that that experience
are telling us is at the heart of everything made that person too frightened to go out
we do. Sitting within Guide Dogs’ Campaigns alone again.”
Team, the role helps to shape everything from
how Guide Dogs responds to things like public While she’s keen to make sure our service
consultations, to the charity’s own campaigns. users’ voices are heard, Penny knows exactly
what it’s like to be affected by things like access
She said: “For me, it’s all about bringing a refusals and inaccessible streetscapes. Blind
subject to life by enabling and empowering since birth, Penny got her first guide dog at the
service users to find their own voices, so they age of 19 and is now on her ninth dog, a yellow
can share their own lived experiences in their Labrador/retriever cross called Questa.
own words in the most eloquent way. They just
might need a bit of help to do that, to get a bit Penny is currently keen to hear from anyone
of confidence perhaps.” who’s blind or partially sighted who’s been
affected by e-scooters. To get in touch,
It’s a good job she’s so motivated, as Penny had contact Penny via Guide Line on 0800 781
to hit the ground running. She said: “My very 1444 (Monday - Friday, 9-5pm) or email
first task was organising our response to the information@guidedogs.org.uk.
Westminster Government’s UK-wide consultation
on its national strategy for disabled people.
“We ran a series of focus groups and
interviews to delve deeply into some of the
questions the survey posed. We then pulled the
responses together and passed them to our
Campaigns team colleagues, who used them
to shape Guide Dogs’ response. It’s one thing
for the Government to get responses to the
questions they’re asking, but it’s something
else for them to hear how things truly
affect people.
It’s all about enabling and
empowering service users
to find their own voices.
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 23Supporters
Dear supporters,
I’ve been so amazed by the tireless strength of spirit shown by
our fundraisers and supporters as the Covid-19 pandemic has
continued into this year. Even though there were more restrictions
after Christmas, you found a way to carry on (safely) regardless.
Whether that was by decorating your homes with festive lights like
the Spinks and McKay families, or using social media to livestream
a very close shave like Heather Worofka, you still kept yourselves
busy raising vital funds to ensure that we can continue helping
people with sight loss to live the lives they choose.
I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy summer, whatever
fundraising fun you have planned. Thank you once again
Maria Novell
and please keep safe.
Fundraising &
Commercial Director
Hilary Reed, of Westbury, Wiltshire, is raising
money to name a guide puppy after the late
Captain Sir Tom Moore. Hilary, who’s part of
Westbury and Warminster fundraising group,
also fundraises individually and has been a
Puppy Raiser since 1982, caring for more than
50 guide dog puppies. Despite the challenges of
lockdown, Hilary is about halfway to her £5,000
fundraising goal. Hilary said: “He touched the
nation and he seemed like the grandfather I
never had! I just thought it would be quite nice
to name a puppy after him as a tribute.” While
the dog will be called Tom day-to-day, his
paperwork will read Captain Tom.
Riva
Riva, the guide dog puppy named by Arriva
Buses Wales, has become a first-time father to
a litter of eight healthy puppies. The handsome
yellow Labrador was earmarked as a potential
guide dog dad soon after his puppy visit to
Arriva’s Bangor depot. Staff across North
Wales raised more than £5,000 with a series
of inter-depot events and on-board bucket Hilary
collections, and went on to raise enough for
a second puppy, which they will name Arri.
24 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021Supporters
Heather & Victor Coleen
Heather Worofka felt the chill after shaving Coleen Falconer-Copeland was devastated
off her long blonde hair to raise £870 for when guide dog Lauren passed away last year.
Guide Dogs Cymru. Heather, 26, persuaded She and her family decided to raise £2,500 to
dad Dave to wield the scissors after her local name a guide dog puppy in Lauren’s memory
salon went into lockdown. The pair then by what would have been her 10th birthday
swapped places, with Heather using a razor on 24 July 2022 – but they’ve already smashed
to remove Dave’s hair and eyebrows. Friends their target! Through the sale of personal
and followers watched the event live on possessions and merchandise, plus generous
Facebook. Heather said: “My guide dog Victor donations from friends, family and members of
was not too keen on me afterwards!” the public, the team have raised almost £2,800.
Tony and Eunice Spinks from Great and Bury St Edmunds fundraising group
Barton, West Suffolk, have fundraised for volunteers, Bryan and Melita Garnham.
different charities by decorating their Tony and Eunice have collected for us
house for Christmas since 2004. In 2010, ever since, raising an average of around
the pair decided to start raising money £150 each Christmas but last year,
for Guide Dogs after borrowing a guide despite everything, they broke all records
dog-shaped collection box from neighbours with £202.
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 25Supporters
Pete and Chris McKay, members of the Dales
and District fundraising group and owners of
black lab Harley (a former guide dog in
training and now a much-loved pet), raised
£1,026 over the Christmas period by adorning
their home and garden in festive lights in the
remote village of Healaugh in Upper
Swaledale, North Yorkshire.
Pete and Ch
ris’ house
Thanks to everyone who donned their
tartan for Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk. Carol
Danskin from Broughty Ferry walked and
cycled 26 miles. Carol began fundraising to
Name a Puppy in memory of her dad, Arthur.
Incredibly, she has now raised almost £20,000
– enough to name her fourth pup. Carol
said: “Dad would have been chuffed to bits.
He sponsored puppies for a number of years
and I’m doing this for him.”
Carol
Lyn Dennis decided to organise a coffee
morning for Guide Dogs after mum, Elsie
Rosson, got her first guide dog 14 years ago.
After speaking to her local Community
Fundraising Relationship Manager, Pam
Gratton, Lyn signed up as a volunteer group
organiser and the Camborne, Perranporth and
District group was formed. In the years since,
this Cornwall-based group has held annual
coffee mornings and organised collections
almost every week. Sadly Elsie passed away in
December last year, at the age of 93. Her last
wish was to make a donation to Guide Dogs, Elsie
giving £2,500 to name a future guide dog Elsa.
Leamington and Warwick fundraising group’s virtual
Christmas fair raised nearly £1,000. They sold festive cards
and wrapping paper plus volunteer-made handicrafts, and
ran a ‘guess the number of dog treats in a jar’ competition.
Father Christmas and his four-legged helper hosted a virtual
Zoom grotto, where children could chat to the man himself and
the unforgettable words “Santa, you’re on mute” were heard.
26 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021CustomEyes Books
Inspiring children to read with
CustomEyes Books ®
Our CustomEyes® Books service
specialises in tailor-made large print
books for vision-impaired or dyslexic
children and young adults.
Every book we produce is largest CustomEyes book to Due to the interactive nature
customised to the exact needs date is Harry Potter and the of our digital book store,
of the reader – whether it’s a Order of the Phoenix, which it’s now easier and quicker
specific font, font size, word or was around 7,500 pages and for members to discover
line spacing and, of course, a resulted in 35 volumes. our catalogue and for us to
selection of coloured paper to offer promotions.
print on – we do it all! The CustomEyes Books
team has worked tirelessly So far this year, more than
With more than 4,200 titles to ensure that children with 2,600 books have already
to choose from, there’s sight loss can continue to read been ordered. To manage
something for everyone. We throughout the pandemic – demand, the CustomEyes
have new releases alongside with an average of 600 team recently moved their
books from popular authors custom books produced each production office along with
ranging from Biff, Chip and month. No mean feat! new equipment to a new space
Kipper to Shakespeare. within our Reading Hub site.
There are also educational In September last year
texts such as Animal Farm we launched the CustomEyes In future, we’ll add new
and An Inspector Calls, and digital book store, allowing features to improve the
of course the ever-popular members to find and customer experience such
Harry Potter books. buy books in one easy as suggested reads based
process. Since then, orders on order history and
All books are sold at their virtually doubled overnight automated registration.
Recommended Retail Price with an incredible 2,229
regardless of the final format books ordered in the last For more information, visit
and size produced. Our four months of last year. guidedogs.org.uk/customeyes
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 27My Time to Play
My Time to Play
Giving children the opportunity, independence and
skills from an early age to live the life they choose is at
the heart of our new My Time to Play programme.
Launched in April 2021, this Earlier this year, Guide Dogs Parent Sarah Perkins said:
free service helps children created and released the “We really have loved every
with sight loss from birth to smell of the Gruffalo and session so far! The very first
four years old to develop other characters from the session involved a bell. My son
a broad range of skills deep dark wood to help make Alfie loved it so much so that
through play in a group reading inclusive for the he crawled for the first time
setting. Led by our habilitation whole family. As a world first, ever to get the bell.
specialists, these fun and these “scent kits” featured
supportive group sessions help a different smell for each of “We have fun every week
children to develop a broad the five well-loved characters and will be so sad when
range of skills and encourage which supports children with it ends! Alfie loves all the
them to use their non-visual a visual impairment to bring songs and we sing them
senses. Each session is based the book to life. throughout the week. Both
around a sensory story and [Habilitation Specialists] Amy
includes songs, movement and My Time to Play focuses and Jess have been brilliant
related activities. on five key areas of your with engaging with us and
child’s development: answering questions on how
One of our most popular concept development, I can help Alfie with his sight.
sensory stories so far has sensory skills, fine and gross The sessions have benefited
been the specially “scented” motor skills, self-help for us greatly. Thank you!”
version of The Gruffalo. children and communications.
Alfie loves all the songs
and we sing them
throughout the week.My Time to Play
The team delivering
the sessions have
just as much fun
as the children.
Not only does My Time to My Time to Play. I feel so across the UK by September
Play encourage social privileged being able to next year. During this period
interaction and friendships engage with the children and of expansion, we’ll continue to
between children but it also their families and getting to run a virtual programme for
has the same benefit for know them. families who cannot attend
parents. At our sessions, in-person sessions.
parents can access “It is very fulfilling watching
peer-to-peer support by the children’s reactions to the
meeting other families in various sensory experiences.
similar situations and sharing This can be a smile to a smell, Find out more
their experiences. This can reaching out to a sound, a
curious look when exploring For further information,
be an invaluable opportunity
a new texture or excitement visit guidedogs.org.uk
for parents, especially when
for their favourite song! But and search “My Time to
it comes to picking up skills
and knowledge that will most of all having lots of fun Play”, or to register to
help support your child’s learning new habilitation skills. take part in the My Time
early years development to Play programme call
“The team delivering the
with confidence. 0800 781 1444.
sessions have just as much fun
My Time to Play consists of as the children.”
seven sessions with up to six Due to Covid-19, My Time
families on each programme. to Play is currently being
Each session is delivered by delivered virtually but is
a highly trained Guide Dogs expected to move to ‘in-person’
Habilitation Specialist. sessions – Covid-19 permitting
Gillian Murdoch, Habilitation – in a phased way from
Specialist in Scotland, said: September 2021. We’re also
“I really enjoy delivering planning to expand the service
Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021 29New partnerships
Congratulations
to our new partnerships
New partnerships are listed by community team.
Each listing details owner, guide dog, town, breed,
puppy walker, brood bitch holder and boarder.
Warm congratulations to all our new qualifiers.
Belfast Barry Toner & Oyster Ann Nicholls & Yoda Nia Hicks-Brew & Una from
June Best & Clyde from from Lisburn GRxL Helen from Fairford GR Pwllheli GRxL Lynne Thomas
Craigavon GRxGR Ronald Baird from Belfast * Leonora Tromans from from Porthcawl * Natasha
Ferguson from Glenrothes Howard Dorrell from Kidderminster * Marie Aylott from Birmingham.
* Lindy Howlett from Worcester. Mr Paul Court from Halesowen. Mrs Lynne Jones from
Bromyard. Mr & Mrs Pete Crowe from Kenilworth. Mrs Glenice Battaloglu Stratford-upon-Avon.
& Louise Millard from Angela Wales & Vera from Birmingham. Timothy Hill & Falcon
Lutterworth. Miss Emma from Greenisland L Ricky Paul Nicholls & Unis from from Cardiff GRxL
Cuthill from Montrose. Flanagan from Belfast * Birmingham LxGR David Lindsay Huntington from
Eleanor Jackson & Cooper Mr & Mrs Griffith from Small from Pontypool Chepstow * Ben & Rhiannon
from Portadown GRxGR Warwick. Mr & Mrs Lowe * Jane Roberts from Haxton & Davies from
Margaret Morrison from from Coventry. Mr Ricky Wellesbourne. Miss Kidlington. Mrs Catherine
North Berwick * Lindy Flanagan from Belfast. Sarah Sheasby from Egan from Worcester.
Howlett from Bromyard. Michael & Jill Armer from Bromsgrove. Mrs Felicity Gill Jones & Clover
Mr & Mrs Pete & Louise Downpatrick. Mr & Mrs Stratton from Warwick. from Rhyl LxGR Ian And
Millard from Lutterworth. Richard & Karen Hambleton Marie Taylor & Colwyn Hermione Pantling from
Mrs Claire McDiarmid from Carrickfergus. from Evesham GRxL Judith Warwick * Sue Wilkins
from Forfar. Mrs Phillipa from Rugby. Mrs Hannah
Gill from Caldicot * Neil
McCreight from Holywood. Laird from Warwick.
Birmingham & Elizabeth Smith from
Caroline McAllister & Northampton. Mr Adrian Stephen Lawrence & Jax
Kerry Boyd & Colby from
Ebony from Larne LxGR Claxton from Warwick. from Pontyclun LxGR Sara
Worcester GRxL Michael
Morag Torrance from Mr Dan Powell from Dixon from Dartmouth *
Gurney from Worcester *
Skelmorlie * Straker from Leamington Spa. Mrs Sue Lisa Smith from Warwick.
Sue Wilkins from Rugby.
Stratford-upon-Avon. Cox from Leamington Spa. Mrs Kim Roberts from
Mrs Lana Taylor from Ann Marie Kavanagh Stratford-upon-Avon. Mrs
Stratford-upon-Avon. & Levi from Nottingham Sue Phillips from Cardiff.
Mr Robert Kirk from Irvine. L Amanda Lewis from Cardiff
Andrew Muxlow & Ernie
Pauline McKenna & Warwick * Lynn Jones Lloyd (Jonathan) from Rhondda Cynon
Kelda from Downpatrick from Rugby. Mrs Sharon Davies & Harvey from Taff GRxL Eric Welch
LxL Karen Clark from Broer from Coventry. Carmarthen STPxL from Towcester * Sian
Arbroath * Sue Lancaster Mr Adam Grinsell Julie Matthews from Simmons from Kenilworth.
from Bedford. Mr from Halesowen. Keynsham * Mary Smith Mr Michael Rudge from
Geoff Whiteman from Rachel Martin & Jamie from Moreton-in-Marsh. Solihull. Mrs Emma Scott
Coalville. Miss Kelly from Birmingham LxGR Mr & Mrs Landsberg from Leamington Spa.
Murdoch from Dundee. Julia Yarker from from Milton Keynes.
Geraldine Newman &
Elaine Orwin & Maisie from Edinburgh * Stephen Martin Griffiths & Benji Billy from Monmouth
Down GRxL Daphne Barfoot Lines from Leamington from Swansea L Gwyn GRxL John Morris from
from Belfast * Christina Spa. Mrs Dulcie Parry & Dawn James from Coventry * Neil & Elizabeth
Sibbald from Wantage. from Rugby. Mrs Elizabeth Pontypool * Sarah Smith from Northampton.
Mr Keith Binding from Watson from Motherwell. Kite from Birmingham. Mr Adrian Claxton from
Banbury. Michael & Jill Mrs Carol Ann Mahler Mrs Lana Taylor from Warwick. Miss Poppy James
Armer from Downpatrick. from Banbury. Stratford-upon-Avon. from Leamington Spa.
30 Forward magazine Spring/Summer 2021You can also read
