On a beautifully sunny day, thirty-five members of Bracknell & District Parkinson’s Branch enjoyed an exciting day at Beaulieu, home to Palace House and the National Motor Museum.

Members were able to visit the exhibits in the National Motor Museum, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as the ruins of a 13th century abbey, Victorian gardens, Palace House (Lord Montagu’s ancestral home) and the Clock House with its Art Russe exhibition.  They were also able to take a stroll alongside the peaceful Mill Pond and river Beaulieu.

Some explored on foot, while others took a ride on the classic bus or the monorail which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Everyone enjoyed the delightful day, and thanks must go to Keith and Kathy, the organisers of the trip, for making the event such a success.

Photo: One of the many classic cars on display in the museum

Bracknell & District Parkinson’s Branch recently enjoyed a presentation about Boxercise, a form of non-contact boxing, from Molly Hale and her colleagues from Places Leisure, Wokingham.

The presentation covered the benefits of physical activity for people with Parkinson’s; the benefits of boxercise specifically; what to expect from a boxercise class; boxercise classes at BXG, Wokingham; and how to book and where to park.

Members were invited to get the gloves on and have a go at some of the moves and several took up the opportunity to do so. The session was greatly enjoyed and hopefully we will be able to set up a weekly class for members to go along to and to show their Boxercising skills!  

Photo caption: Dot showcasing her boxing skills!

Thursday 11th April was World Parkinson’s Day (WPD) and the Branch marked the day with a Potter for Parkinson’s event around South Hill Park, Bracknell. The theme for WPD was Make it Blue and so members, families, friends, and even pets!, were invited to wear blue and meet for a gentle stroll around the venue’s two lakes followed, of course, by some welcome refreshments in the café.

The event was organised by Branch Physiotherapist Beccy Oliver who set the participants a challenge of reaching 50,000 steps which was smashed with a total of 121,000 being achieved!

The walk was a great success with 65 attendees turning up to enjoy each other’s company and the exercise around the lakes, and so thanks go to Beccy for pulling off such a successful event.