Welcome now to this, our page of events during 2004.
This will hopefully build into a fine record of our group events during the year.
![[Dick Whittington]](whitt3.jpg)
Pantomime - "Dick Whittington"
Our first event of the year 2004 took place for us at the Theatre Royal, Wakefield.
The pantomime Dick Whittington.
![[Theatre Symbol]](whitt6.jpg)
Sixty plus of our members and their children thoroughly enjoyed themselves early in January.
"Oh no it isn't" and "look out he's behind you", also much and noisy mass booing added to our fun.
Wait and see if / what we do for year 2005?
![[Denise]](denise.jpg)
April Group Meeting
For this meeting "our own" Denise Daykin spoke on the subject of children with autism, their care and
the difficulties that could arise.
Quite a few members attended, both to the talk and the following "question and answer session".
I'm told this was an interesting and informative evening.
Many thanks Denise.
RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
Awaiting an account from a volunteer. Can you or someone you know please help?
Pictures of ponies would look very nice here y'know!
![[The Venue]](conf1.jpg)
The 2004 Wakefield Conference
This was the second conference our group promoted. Just like our first, this was also a big success.
We had four fine speakers, a huge attendance, a super atmosphere, nice food and a good, comfortable venue.
![[Venue interior - during setting up]](conf2.jpg)
It's quite possible we chose the warmest day of the year 2004, but never mind,
it was nevertheless a good day for all of us.
The principal organiser, Carole Ellis unfortunately had the ultimate promoter's nightmare just
one working day prior to the event when a speaker pulled out, citing anticipated "jet lag" and possible tiredness on
his return from North America.
![[Lunchtime for the delegates]](conf3.jpg)
Thankfully Carole was able to more than retrieve the position during the (non working?) weekend by obtaining the
service of a really fine, practical and knowledgable replacement speaker.
Many thanks Carole!
Anyhow, after Norma opened the conference, Kary-Ann Sykes of a local (Wakefield) mainsteam school autism resource commenced
for the "speakers". She gave a very thoughtful and encouraging account of the fine work she and her
colleagues are doing with our children.
![[Lord and Lady Major of Wakefield]](conf5.jpg)
Fine work, particularly because it's education directed at and largely considered for our children.
Enabling them to stay in school while giving them shelter from the pressures, teasing and bullying of the mainsteam
school environment.
As I said, fine work indeed, we're grateful and I'm sure other parents are very encouraged by you and your colleagues
work Kary-Ann. Many thanks to you all!
![[Our guest bookstall]](conf4.jpg)
The always excellent Ros Blackburn started for the invited speakers.
Frankly it should astonish any of us to see this apparently self confident woman, striding the front of the
conference room, one hand in pocket, the other emphasising points, speaking loudly and confidently, quite without
the aid of amplification.
It really should amaze us, especially if you compare the "conference" Ros with the extremely quiet, almost withdrawn lady
that we met the day before!
![[Professor Dr. Paul Shattock]](conf6.jpg)
Following a fine lunch, Norma introduced our The Lord and Lady Mayor of Wakefield, then the always interesting Luke Beardon
who related much of his practical work, spiced as always with interesting anecdotes, even the amusing (research has
established) "children with autism work better with their socks and shoes off" story.
Paul Shattock was the final speaker, a jolly good one as well. He spoke on a number of interesting
issues, principally diet (for instance casein free) and possible benefits that could arise.
He also touched on his views and thoughts regarding MMR. All in all, another first class talk
delivered with engaging humour from a professional who has spent a great deal of his life working for and with people
with autism.
Many thanks to the many people who worked so hard to make a fine day possible - thanks yet again.
Thanks also to Laura for taking these 'photo's.
FISHING
Awaiting me putting up a nice article we already have - first I need the author's permission.
SEPTEMBER GROUP MEETING
Unusually we had no speaker. Even more unusually we viewed some brief, selected video films.
Following each film we had a brief discussion. The films naturally varied in their content and topic.
A fine evening, attended by quite a few people who promptly borrowed all the group's many videos from our library which happened
to be at the meeting!
CHESTER ZOO OUTING
I have some 'photos (thank you Melanie), also a fine write up (ta again Mel), but I don't presently have the time to stick it
up here.
This note is here not just for your information, it's also to remind me to complete the job!!
NOVEMBER GROUP MEETING
Our (very welcome) speaker for this, November meeting was the relatively newly appointed Special Needs Officer for Wakefield
Metropolitan District, Jane Finn.
To speak to us Jane made surely the shortest journey of any visiting speaker, working as she does directly above our
meeting room! She was very keen to introduce herself to our group, naturally she asked questions, she
also answered our questions and attempted to discover just what we need.
As you can imagine, Jane was questioned quite carefully at times, but nevertheless gave a pretty informative talk and was in
fact, quite well received. She did leave, saying some quite positive things about our group and particularly
asked to be kept in touch with our group.
A good evening, you might have missed a good 'un.
DECEMBER GROUP MEETING
Was, well actually two "meetings", one a rather nice "fuddle" as these events are called here in Yorkshire.
Nibbles, wine and conversation. 'twas enjoyed and reasonable few people turned up.
Also two ladies (Mother and Daughter) from The Wakefield Well Womens Clinic gave a talk about holistic medicine, also performed
some aromatherapy on one of our lady members. Showed how to carry out hand massage. This was in fact
very relaxing indeed!
Hopefully we can entice these two popular people back during the year 2005.
CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY
Also awaiting an account, can anyone help here please? Numbers? A 'photo or two please? Even a verbal account to John at 01924
270144 would help fill this space.
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