Apologies

Please accept our sincere apologies for the gap in blogging; we have had what we believe to be are called "technical difficulties" with a capital T. Never fear however, we are back and will resume full speed blogging hereonin. So please watch this space for up dates over the coming days and weeks. Thank you for your patience during the blip.

Two year blog anniversary

🎉🎉🍾🍾Unbelievable but, yes, the blog has celebrated its two year anniversary🍾🍾🎂🎉

How amazing is that, indeed, where did that time go!! We hope you still find it interesting and informative. We find it a quick and easy way to update you and let you know about up and coming events both locally and nationally. So please do keep coming back to see what we are up to and here is to many more years of blogging 😄

Thank you

A huge thank you to all of you who attended our AGM on Saturday. It was lovely to see you all and to give you a roundup of the year's business detailed by our Chairperson. We really enjoy these days which give us the opportunity to catch up with so many of you and hear how you are doing. Seeing so many of you fit and well after treatment means an awful lot to us, so thank you for your time.

The Chairperson was delighted to report that we are now one step nearer to purchasing the Air Seal that will be utilised when undertaking precision bowel surgery. We will of course keep you up to date with news on progress. Thank you so much for supporting us and for your generous donations which have made purchases, such as this one, possible.

The group also heard about the importance of patient feedback and how this very much forms part of how your local Trust's cancer care is monitored each year. The National Cancer Patient Survey is utilised by each Trust to assist in improving your care; it fits in with The National Cancer Peer Review programme and forms part of the measures by which Trusts are reviewed. Information is available on line regarding both of these. Here in Somerset, your local Trust takes this a step further by holding local Patient Experience Groups too. So your feedback is really important to the Trust, and us, alike.

The Autumn Annual Event is scheduled for Saturday 8th October, at The County Cricket Ground, and already promises some interesting speakers and stalls. If you would like to be invited, please do let us know by ringing 01823 342452 and asking for your name to be added to the list of invitees. 

Once again we would like to thank our committee members for the work both our patient and professional members undertake for you. A group such as this, and the two events, take quite some organising. If you would like to become more involved, we are always looking for new committee members. Please let us know if you are interested, on the number above.

Two exciting events for you

We are delighted to tell you about two exciting events on the horizon, one local and one in London.

The first is The Living Well Exhibition, An event for people living with and beyond cancer. This is the second of these events following on from last year's successful event. It is being held on Saturday 12th March 2016, from 10am - 1:30pm at Somerset College, Wellington Road, Taunton, TA1 5AX. It is a drop in event to aid health & wellbeing for anyone who has been affected by cancer. 

The second is further afield in London and is Patient Day 2016 being organised by the charity, Beating Bowel Cancer. It is a free event for bowel cancer patients. You can meet people like yourselves and glean all sorts of information and practical guidance. For further information log on to the beatingbowelcancer.org website to read more and register for the day. 
Even if you cannot attend the event, Beating Bowel Cancer has a very good website that is worth visiting for all sorts of advice and guidance.

Both of these events are aimed at you, the patient, and we do hope that you can attend one or the other.

Living life to the full

We are so pleased to be able tell you about a delightful book that we have recently had the joy and pleasure of reading. "My First Eighty Years" by Jill Nicholls is a delightful narrative of life, adventures, travel and nursing by a truly inspiring local lady who has certainly enjoyed life to the fullest. This beautiful book takes one from the Authors childhood here in Somerset with her beloved family, across the world and back via various countries and experiences through to the current day. Here is someone who has grasped life with both hands, not allowing health problems to trim her wings in any way. This is such an inspiring, enjoyable and charming read and would make a very nice Christmas present indeed. 

If you are interested in purchasing a copy please ring 01823 342452. 

Oops a mistake, our apologies

We are sorry but we appear to have given the incorrect telephone number to contact in our previous post. Please accept our apologies. The correct number is as follows;

01278 456240


We do hope this has not deterred you and look forward to an enjoyable meal with you all.

Christmas lunch

We are delighted to tell you about our Christmas Lunch on Wednesday 2nd December 2015. If you would like to join us for some festive enjoyment, then please call us on 01278 456240. We have included the menu for your perusal.

                                                  Christmas Party Lunch Menu
                                                            £16.50 Per Person

                                            Somerset Bowel Cancer Support Group
                                                           December 2nd 2015
                                                               Meet at 12:30

 Traditional Roast Turkey with Leek & Chestnut Stuffing and Bacon wrapped Sausage(GF*)
 Slow Roasted Somerset Pork Loin with Roasted Apple and a Brandy Cream Sauce (GF)
                  Slow Braised Brisket with Wild Mushroom, Red Wine & Thyme Sauce(GF)
                                Baked Cod Loin on Baby Spinach with Parsley Sauce(GF)
                    Cashew, Brazil Nut & Goat’s Cheese Nut Roast with Creamy Tomato Sauce(V)

                       All served with roasted and mashed potatoes & freshly cooked vegetables
                                                           ***************
                           Cottage Made Christmas Pudding(GF*) Served with brandy sauce
                     Warm Chocolate & Hazlenut Brownie(GF*) Served with vanilla ice cream
                             Raspberry & Lemon Cheesecake Served with clotted cream
                                          Blackmore Farm Vanilla Ice Cream(GF*)
                                                           **************
                                       Freshly Brewed Tea or Coffee & Warm Mince Pie
                                                          **************
                   The Cottage Inn, Keenthorne, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1HZ
                                  Tel: 01278 732355  Email: thecottage-inn@btconnect.com
                                                        www.thecottage-inn.co.uk
                                    (Served from 23rd November – 9th January inclusive**)

We really hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you there. Please don't forget to ring on the number at the top of the page to book your place.