Off The Wall - Issue 30

1Off The Wall No.30, Summer 2015

were

30editions old!

I n f o r m a t I v e l s u p p o r t I v e l c r e a t I v e OffTheWallNo.30Summer 2015

FREE!

IN THIS ISSUE...Baths Street Pastors / A Personal Experience of AAWoodworks Project / Art Attack / Fishing at Bathampton

2 Off The Wall No.30, Summer 2015Off The Wall No.30, Summer 20152

Who are DHI?

Developing Health and Independence is a charity that challenges social exclusion by supporting people to achieve their potential and contribute to the richness and wellbeing of their community.

We provide a comprehensive range of services in Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire, and Somerset for people who are socially excluded for reasons such as homelessness, alcohol or drug problems, learning disabilities or emotional difficulties.

We help people to turn their lives around by tackling both the causes and consequences of social exclusion through practical and emotional support services such as information and advice, supported housing, counselling, activities, and employment and training opportunities.

Get involved with Off The Wall

OTW is a magazine for service users of DHI by service users of DHI. We would like for service users across DHI to contribute to the magazine. The OTW team meet every Wednesday at 12pm at the Beehive in Bath. You are very welcome to attend these meetings and become part of the team that puts the magazine together.

However if this isnt for you, you can still get involved by sending any contributions or suggestions for the magazine to: [email protected] or by speaking to your key worker.

Hi there!Welcome to the 30th edition of Off The Wall, DHIs service user magazine Its great to be celebrating the 30th edition of Off the Wall DHIs peer run magazine. Off the Wall started life on the wall, as notice board area that a group of service users took charge of because they wanted to share information that had been useful to them in their recovery with others. The fact it continues today is testament to the power of peer support.

Off the Wall continues to offer many different things to many different people. For those who contribute to its production it offers a space to learn or use skills in creative writing, editing or design, as well as being part of a team. For its readership it offers information on a wide range of relevant services, personal insights, as well as a space to showcase the poetic, artistic and other talent of those who use our services. Basically it is whatever its authors and readers want it to be. So, get involved. If theres something youve been dying to say or tell others about, come along and say it at a meeting or write it down!

rosie phillipsChief Executive


Patron Midge Ure Off The Wall Editorial Team Feature writers & contributors: Andrew Campell, Becky, Lee, Charlie, Terry, David, Jan, Jason, Jeremy, Ben, Chad and Rosie Phillips Check us out online: www.dhi-online.org.uk/clients/category/Off-The-Wall Get in touch! Off The Wall Magazine The Beehive, Beehive Yard, Bath, BA1 5BD. Tel 01225 329411 Email [email protected]. Copyright 2015 DHI. All rights reserved. The Group of Seven assist with production.

contentsCaring for the city 4

Keeping it street 6

Art Attack 8

AA by Becky 11

AA timetable 12

Woodworks Project 14

SMART/NA 16

Fishing at Bathampton 18

Andys Jokes 20

Quiz Time 21

Get in touch with DHI 22

Top pic: The Woodworks Project, page 14Middle: Art Attack, page 8Bottom: Fishing at Bathampton, page 18

Off The Wall No.30, Summer 20154

FEATURE

caring for the cityAndy Campbell finds out what its like to live an evening in the life of a street pastor and how theyre doing their best to help the local community

I arrived at the Street Pastors base of Manvers Street Baptist Church at 9.40 p.m., about five minutes early. One of the Street Pastors was already there to let me in, and shortly afterwards the other two arrived. At 9.50 we had a short prayer time lasting five minutes, then after making sure all the items needed for the evening were packed into the rucksack including radios for contact with the police we departed at 10 p.m., with me wearing a Street Pastors Observer vest...

Next to the front entrance of the church we had a conversation with three homeless men who were in the Julian House Shelter, chatting with them about student accommodation and personal matters.

With time pressing, we moved on to Orange Grove for the 10.25 Briefing Meeting with the Taxi Marshall and representatives

of the Police and Ambulance services. There was a discussion about various arrests made and reports of incidents.

When the briefing finished we began the shift, walking to Westgate Street (myself and one of the Street Pastors on one side of the road and the other two Street Pastors on the other side), where we had a chat with the doorman of the West Gate pub. I asked him if he had trouble from anyone coming into the pub, and he told me that hes very careful who he allows in. Just before 10.50 we were called to an incident at Schwartz Bros. takeaway. An inebriated man had lost his balance and fell, but was caught before he was injured.

When we arrived he was being treated and an ambulance had been called, so everything was under control. Two of us stayed back from the incident to allow space while the other Street Pastor spoke to the man.

While there another call came in from the next street over, so while I stayed where I was at a distance two of the Street Pastors went off to the other incident. While I was waiting for the ambulance to arrive, I spoke to a passer-by who asked me about the work of the Street Pastors, and asked me if I or the Street Pastors ever got angry with homeless people who drink a lot of alcohol. I told him that there was no point in getting angry with them as it would only make the situation worse. Also, we dont know their history, what led them to their current position in life and their dependence on alcohol and/or drugs.

After the ambulance arrived and the man was taken off to hospital, I and the other Street Pastor joined the other two in the adjoining street, where a man had been sick after over-imbibing on the alcohol. We


The Street Pastor I was with handed out two pairs of socks and two energy bars each to two homeless men who had settled down in one of the doorways

got him to his feet and helped him as far as Molloys, by which time he felt strong enough to carry on. At Malloys I talked to one of the pub goers about his family and how he was getting home, then we moved on, up Milsom Street and then onto George Street, where we chatted to several of the security doormen about their evening so far and how things were going. Crossing the road, we went on to Mandalyns at the bottom of Lansdown Road (opposite my flat!) and talked to the Security people and regulars there for a while, and also sweeped up some broken glass. Walking down Broad Street shortly afterwards,

the Street Pastor I was with handed out two pairs of socks and two energy bars each to two homeless men who had settled down in one of the doorways. Further down, two pairs of flip flops were handed out as well, and directions were given to a group of women on their Hen Night following a good-natured conversation.

We got back to base just after 12 a.m., where after getting coffees we discussed the events of the shift and the conversations we had, then entered another short period of prayer time. I then walked with them as far as Henry Street, then said my goodbyes and went home.

So to the summary. It was a very interesting and illuminating evening, where I discovered that the Street Pastors are well-liked by the people in the city, both the general public and the security staff of the various pubs and clubs. I also discovered while wearing the Street Pastors Observer vest that security staff were more open with me, more willing to talk to me about their evening than if I was just an ordinary member of the public. I also received a compliment from the man I spoke to opposite Schwartz Bros., when he said to me following my reply to his question that I was a wise and caring person. Which was nice.

How did you first get involved with Street Pastors? Shirl: Im a Christian. Someone gave a talk at church, and asked if people would like to join. I enquired, and was told when the training was happening. You have to know techniques, how not to get involved. You can go out and observe before the start of training, then you can choose if you want to start.Seb: When I was younger I was part of the night economy. Every Friday and Saturday I went out, and enjoyed it. Theres a big culture with the youth, live for the weekend. When I became a Christian I stopped that lifestyle and wanted to help people, so I Googled Genesis Trust [who run Street Pastors] and looked at volunteering opportunities. I sent an email, saying I was interested, and they invited me to the induction.

Tell me about a typical evening for you as a Street Pastor.Shirl: We meet for debriefing at 9.40pm., speak to the police at 10. 30, and then start. We stay in the city centre, but could be called by the police warden to other places to talk to people. We walk some people around and talk to them, to get them sober enough to get into a taxi, and go round the clubs and chat to security about how things are going. Young people ask us why we do this work, and it is because we love doing it. We work in groups of three, ideally five or six, picking up glass bottles with a dustpan and brush and putting them in bins, and handing out flip-flops to girls who have taken off their high heels. We also carry lollipops to give people sugar and give blankets to the homeless, especially in winter.

6 Off The Wall No.30, Summer 20156

INTERVIEW

Keeping it streetShirl Fraser and Seb Walker are Street Pastors working in Bath city centre. Andrew Campbell spoke to them in two separate interviews, the first at DHI and the second in a lovely coffee shop.

The Bath street pastorsTop: Seb WalkerBottom: Shirl Fraser


Seb: If youre the shift leader you arrive at base at 9.30 p.m. to prepare bags (water, flip-flops, tea flasks). We pray before going out, then meet the police for briefing at Bath Abbey at 10.30.

Also at the meeting are taxi marshals, street marshals and ambulance crew. The police say if anything is on, such as a rugby match. We then start the first shift, although there is no set route, we go where God leads us. We do a circuit, which includes busy bars, speaking to homeless people (to whom we hand out blankets, socks, gloves and food, including cereal bars.

We speak to people, and any-thing can happen, although we dont meet many drunk people on the first shift, we encounter them on the second shift. After prayer and tea the second shift begins, walking round Bath till 3 a.m. looking for vulner-able people to help. Could be

anything from sobering up with water, taxi home, handing out flip-flops to girls who have taken off their high heels. We go round busy clubs at closing time, and this is where the shift is at its busiest. We have a night watch radio, as we might be called to different scenes and incidents, and it enables you to pray for the situation on the way over.

On the training day prior to becoming street pastors we learn not to be too much of a presence, not so pushy that people dont want you there, not too overpowering. The right person is chosen for each encounter a man for a man, a woman for a woman. We return to base at 3 a.m. for prayer and discussion, then finish. I get home about 3.30-4.00 a.m. The scariest thing is in mid-winter, seeing a kid in a doorway and taking five minutes to wake him up.

What sort of feedback have you had from the people you speak to?Shirl: Always good. We say that were from all the churches in Bath. We never preach to people, we discuss with people, as were never there to judge anybody. We have a really good team, which goes out once a month. Students call us Street Pasties because they like us, since were friendly.Seb: Weve had amazing feed-back, and feel welcome on the streets. People have said really nice things, and are pleased that street pastors are out there. Theres usually a bit of banter, with us being called Street Pasties. There is great feedback from both the community and the police and taxi drivers since youre there as a neutral, helping people who would otherwise take up the polices time, thus freeing up the police.

Students call us

street pasties because

they like us, since

were friendly



Ive done Picasso, Dali and also Beatrix Potter. I didnt appreciate art before now.

art attackEvery Thursday morning, three adventurous souls venture into the common room of DHI at the Beehive to brighten up their day with some colourful drawings and paintings. We caught up with them to ask a few arty questions.

9Off The Wall No.30, Summer 2015 9

What first made you try the art group?Charlie: It was suggested to me among a few other things, including pottery, as part of a programme to get me out of the house. I thought, I cant do that, its the last thing on my mind! Then I thought, Theyre offering me this, I might as well try it. So I tried it, and it brought my blood pressure right down! Everyone around the table is very social, and theres a variety of different styles, although I havent heard of some of the artists. Ive done Picasso, Dali and also Beatrix Potter. I didnt appreciate art before now. You learn a lot, and its much better than being barred from your local! It gives people hope.Terry: I was told it was available while I was in the dry house at Burlington, among a list of other things, and I thought That looks interesting!Rose: I didnt at the start, since I cant paint or draw. I was encouraged by Kara to try it, and I started with little bits, and its grown. It takes you away from your own problems, and I like the social aspect. Whatever the painting, when you leave here you always feel like youve achieved something.

turn over for more pics

Charlie, Terry and Roses artwork, created at the Beehive.


How helpful has the art group been in your recovery process?Charlie: A great help. Its given me a sense of ease and peace. Its escaping in a different sort of way.Terry: Its brilliant. I havent painted since primary school, and here I have everything I want. I have a real sense of achievement when I complete something.Rose: Its really very helpful. Its taught me how to relax again, how to talk to people.

Have you always known you were an artist, or have you only recently discovered your talent?Charlie: Ive never known I couldnt even draw matchstick figures before. Ive had a chance to paint different styles, not just famous artists. Ive done water painting, Chinese calligraphy, scratch and feather painting. You grow in love with it. I now stop outside art galleries to look at the pictures, and watch art TV programmes.Terry: I started painting in primary school, but havent painted since. The Art Group has rekindled my interest.Rose: Just recently discovered. I previously couldnt draw a matchstick man! My artistic talent has surprised me, that I can actually paint! When I started painting I used to really shake, I was so nervous.

Would you recommend the Art Group to other clients?Charlie: Definitely, yeah. Its a challenge. Its structured. When people are painting theyre in a relaxed mood.Terry: Most definitely.Rose: Absolutely. Its a brilliant place to meet other people, learn from them, and have a chat. Its the best thing thats happened to me since I stopped drinking.

Charlie, Terry and Jan at the Beehive

A donation is asked for at the end of each meeting to contribute to general costs but your first meeting is free. AA is a world wide fellowship, it has been going since 1935 and its members are in the millions. AA meetings are a confidential and careing environment in which you can share your experiences and where you can gain knowledge and experience from fellow alcoholics. AA is based around a 12 step program, each step is designed to work on the character traits that make us addicts. There are 12 Traditions of AA which are designed to keep AA a safe, fair and supporting environment for all. It is recommended that you attend 90 meetings in 90 days when you first attend AA, this is so that you can gain knowledge of the program & of your condition of alcoholism. You would need to find a sponsor to take you through the 12 steps. A sponsor is someone in the AA program whom you can discuss your problems with & get advice from, they should be the same gender as you and they should have strong sobriety eg: they should have been sober for at least a year & they should have worked through most of if not all of the 12 steps. AA works on the principle that alcoholism

is an illness to which there is no known cure, therefore it is recommened that you stay in the AA program for life, attending regular meetings & keep in regular contact with your sponsor and other alcoholics in AA. AA also works on the principle that we all help each other to stay sober, therefore AA recommends that you sponsor other alcoholics in the program for as long as you can. AA has one main text book which explains the 12 steps this is nicked named the big book. This book is used along with other texts to guide you and help you through the 12 step program and through your recovery in general.

a personal experience of aa by BeckyAA is a fellowship of men and women who support each other to recover from alcoholism. It is open to anyone that wants to stop drinking.


There are 12 Traditions of AA which are designed to keep AA a safe, fair and supporting environment for all


Monday

Bath: Keep It SimpleHay Hill Baptist Church, Fountain Buildings, The Paragon BA1 5DUTime: 13.00

BathFriends Meeting House, York St, (downstairs) BA1 1NGTime: 19.30

Bath: Just For Today FeelingsThe Windsor Room, Manvers St Baptist Church, Manvers St BA1 1JW Time: 19.00

Tuesday

Bath: Big Book StepHay Hill Baptist Church, Fountain Bldgs, Paragon BA1 5DUTime: 19.30

Bath: LunchtimeBasement, Baptist Church, Manvers StTime: 12.45Postcode: BA1 1JW

Bath: As Bill Sees It Men Basement, Baptist Church, Manvers St BA1 1JWTime: 18.15

Bath: 12 & 12 Step & TraditionUpper Room, All Saints, High St, Weston BA1 4BXTime: 19.30

RadstockSt Hughs Church Hall, Wells Hill, Westfield BA3 3RH Time: 19.30

Wednesday

Bath: Lunchtime A Vision for YouDHI, The Beehive, Beehive Yard, Bath BA1 5BDTime: 11.30

Bath WomenBaptist Church, Manvers St BA1 1JWTime: 19.30

Bath Oldfield Park St Bartholomews Church Hall, King Edward Rd, Oldfield Park BA2 3PBTime: 19.30

Thursday

BathSt John the Evangelist, South Parade, Manvers St BA2 4AFTime: 19.30

Bath: Lunchtime Living SoberBaptist Church Hall, Manvers St, (basement entrance) BA1 1JWTime: 12.45

Bath Newcomers St Michaels Church, Broad St BA1 3LJTime: 19.00

Keynsham Saltford Saltford Hall, Wedmore Rd, SaltfordBS31 1BYTime: 20.00

alcoholics anonymouswww.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/aa-meetings/find-a-meetingCall our National Helpline on: 0845 769 7555

Weekly timetable:


Friday

BathSt Michaels Without, Broad St, Bath BA1 5LJTime: 07.30

BathGround Floor, Baptist Church, Manvers StBA1 1JWTime: 18.00

Bath: Step & Tradition Ground Floor, Baptist Church, Manvers St BA1 1JWTime: 19.30

Bath: As Bill Sees ItChaplaincy Centre, University of Bath, Claverton Down BA2 7AY(No meeting outside of term time).Time: 12.15

Saturday

Bath Newcomers Step 1, 2 & 3 SaturdayDHI, The Beehive Yard.BA1 5BDTime: 11.30

Bath Share SaturdayUnited Reformed Church Hall, Grove St, (off Argyll St) BA2 6PJTime: 19.30

Bath: LunchtimeBaptist Church, Manvers St, (nr Bus & Train Station) BA1 1JWTime: 12.00

Midsomer Norton Big Book StudyThe Hub, High St, Midsomer Norton, (Sainsburys car park)BA3 2DPTime: 11.00

Sunday

BathHay Hill Baptist Church, Fountain Bldgs, The Paragon BA1 5DU Time: 19.30

Bath: Big Book Study Weston Parish Hall, Church Street, Weston.BA1 4BUTime: 10.30


The WoodWorks

ProjecTThe Woodworks project is a Bath based, furniture making, restoration and upholstery workshop project with ten years experience of providing a meaningful and engaging activity for a variety of groups on their journeys to recovery, not least those in recovery from addiction.

The Woodworks was originally a project of the Genesis Trust but was closed down by Genesis in June last year. However

since then, Stephen Budd and Byll Pulman, who were the manage-ment team of the old project, have formed a new charity and are now on the brink of reopening the pro-ject from their new workshops in Victoria Park Business Centre.

Clients attending the project work on restoring donated quality furniture and are taught by a staff of experienced cabinet makers and upholsterers, all the woodwork and upholstery skills needed to make furniture from scratch. The project operates structured whole day workshop sessions that help re-in-troduce some structure and order into their service users lives whilst teaching new skills and sometimes discovering unknown talents. The project works in a completely un-pressurised way that allows service users to move forward at their own pace, in the company of a friendly and supportive peer group. The new and often transferable skills

learnt in the workshop are hugely empowering and do wonders helping to increase self confidence and foster self belief, factors which are so important in helping people move forward in their lives.

All the furniture worked on and made in the workshop is sold through the projects beautiful furniture shop in Southgate Street, and seeing their work on sale in the shop provides clients with a real sense of achievement.

For more information about The Woodworks Project, visit the website at; www.thewoodworksproject.com.

Main image: Ben working under Bylls guidance. Inset: Beautiful craftsmanship from The Woodworks Project


The WoodWorks

ProjecTThe Woodworks project is a Bath based, furniture making, restoration and upholstery workshop project with ten years experience of providing a meaningful and engaging activity for a variety of groups on their journeys to recovery, not least those in recovery from addiction.

l Ben, a DHI client, was homeless and addicted to heroin. Although progressing with his treatment, Ben felt he wasnt doing enough to see the progression he wanted and craved routine and productivity in his life. Ben tentatively went along to his first Woodworks session and immediately had a lot of respect for the skill and the beautiful wood types. Ben admits that turning up promptly three days a week was a big shock to the system, however boundaries were in place and this allowed him to escape his chaotic lifestyle. It calmed me down, levelled me, knowing I was learning

skills that people have honed over hundreds of years.

For Ben, the personal gain was enormous, but the fact that he was part of doing something for the greater good, touched me and instantly made me change my ways. Ben has thrown himself in wholeheartedly and now volunteers for TWP, enjoying the team work and camaraderie whilst doing deliveries and collections of antique furniture.

Byll of TWP explains his approach is about attitude and knowing where the fine line is of encouraging someone to have

a go, but not so that theyre too stressed by it. Ben says that alongside the practical work people talk about their lives, their challenges. For Ben this may be a career avenue, as he has achieved support from DHI and TWP to begin a carpentry college course.

For more info:www.thewoodworksproject.comor 01225 435566 or visit theirbeautifully styled shop onSouthgate Street, a few minutesfrom the bus station.

Talking toByll Pulman who runs Bath charity The Woodworks Project alongside Stephen Budd, one cant fail to be caught up in his enthusiasm for teaching parallel life skills to his students.

I can usually tell how someone will approach woodwork just by the way they stand next to a piece of wood and people have a moment when it just clicks and that can give me a lump in the throatByll Pulman


NANA is a none profit organization and fully self supporting. It is based on a 12 step program.

The first step is admitting that you are powerless over your addiction. I found this very hard to do, as I thought that I was in control of my drug use(which clearly I wasnt).

Many people think that they can give the drugs up and thats it theyre cured Unfortunately it doesnt work like that but I wish it were the case.

Giving up drugs is easy, it s staying off them thats the hard part.

There is a saying in NA and that is one is too many and a thousand is never enough this is so true and why I am complete abstinence from all drugs.

For me, if it wasnt for NA and other fellowship members then i wouldnt be here today clean and sober!!!

For a good recovery you will need to be open minded, willingness to change and honesty. With those three things you are well on your way.

I would highly recommend NA to anyone and I would also be willing to talk with anyone if they have any question or doubts.

This stuff works, if you work it and best of all, ITS FREE :)

A n alternative or accompaniment to 12 step programmes is SMART Recovery. Not everyone can relate to 12 step programs, and SMART although having the same goals as A.A or N.A, uses a vastly different approach to recovery.

Since attending SMART groups I have been made to feel welcome and supported throughout my various stages of recovery including lapses and successes. I have learnt new techniques to keep me motivated, tools to combat the urges to use, ways of dealing appropriately with my thoughts, feelings and behaviour and most importantly how to live a balanced life without the aid of substances.

SMART is a peer led mutual support group and focuses on changing the behaviour surrounding addiction using

science based methods such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and rational emotive behaviour (REBT). The main focus of SMART is to give you back empowerment over personal addiction and provides a safe place to discuss with others who have similar difficulties, problematic behaviour.

SMART groups meet at the beehive Wednesdays 5pm 6pm, Saturdays 10am 11am and at Rock Hall on Thursdays 2pm-4pm. What I have found really helpful is the 24 hour online SMART community which anyone can access for advice, encouragement or just to have a good old rant!

SMART recovery provided me with the tools to combat my problematic behaviour but now I use them in everyday decision making,

Thank you SMART and all at the Beehive

s.m.a.r.t (Self Management and Recovery Training)

So youve taught yourself about problematic substance misuse. Want to learn something new?

Wednesday 5-6pm @ The Beehive (DHI) Beehive yard, Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD

Thursday 2-4 @rockhall (SDAS) 34 Oldfield Road, Bath, BA2 3ND

Saturday 10-11 @The Beehive (DHI) Beehive yard, Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD


narcotics anonymousVisit us online at: www.ukna.orgCall our National Helpline on: 0300 999 1212 (10am midnight)

Weekly timetable:

TuesdayBathThe Crypt, St Michael & St Paul Church, Walcot street (opp, Waitrose) BA1 JHL7.00-8.30pm

WednesdayDHI The Hub, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2JA7:30 pm

ThursdayDHIBeehive Yard, Walcot street, BA1 5BD5.45-6.45pm

SaturdayStep/ShareHay Hill Baptist Church, Fountain buildings, the paragon, BA1 5DU6.30-8.00pm

poetry corner

WHERE ON EARTH IS HOPE?

Suicide bombers and civil war,Men killing men what is it for?

What we want is much, much more

Where on Earth is hope?

Unemployed and seeking a job

Shouting for attention above the mob

Wanting work and not a fobWhere on Earth is hope?

Blasphemy and violence on the cinema screen,

And on TV, more than theres ever been,

A bad influence on all our teens,Where on Earth is hope?

My hope is not on Earth but isWith Jesus Christ my Saviour,

and HisDeath on the cross for my sins

Where on _ _ _ _ _ is your hope?


fishing at BathamptonBridget hadnt been fishing since she was about thirteen. She used to go with her mates down by the sewers in the River Avon at Weston. Here she writes about her experience on a DHI fishing trip to Bathampton

18

I havent been fishing since I was about thirteen. I used to go with my mates down by the sewers in the River Avon at Weston. We used maggots. Size eighteen hooks. It was rubbish. I spent more time drinking and smoking than I did fishing. Once I foul hooked a Dace through the dorsal fin. Sometimes we caught eels which were covered in slime and messed up the line by curling themselves around it. Slippery as an eel is a true saying. I caught Roach (beautiful silver fish with red fins), Rudd but nothing big. I used to spend more time untangling the line than I did fishing. Eventually, when I dropped my rod into the river I gave up.

So some forty years later it was with a little fear but also some pleasurable anticipation that I signed up for the DHI fishing club which starts out at ten in the morning every Wednesday from the Beehive.

The club is run by Andy Evans. A former professional fly fisherman Andy has been volunteering for DHI for five years now. After a bad motorcycle accident Andy has devoted himself to fishing. He loves sea fishing down at Portishead where he tells me

19Off The Wall No.30, Summer 2015 19

there are plenty of skate, sole and cod.

In all there are six of us, Bridget whose never been fishing before, Sureeta, Nickie and Chris, me and Andy. Today we load up the rods and kit and take a bus from outside the beehive to the London road.

We walk down narrow lanes to Bathampton where we set up by the weir

Andy has set up two rods for pike and two for perch or smaller fish. He uses a frozen sardine on a triple hook on a ten pound line. The sardine looks bigger than most of the fish I caught as

a teenager.We cast off and I settle down

expecting nothing. In the past I would spend all day catching nothing but it was good to be out and chat with other people. I was happy that the hooks were out and then, well at least there was a chance of something happening.

Bridget tells me about how she split up with her partner and found herself homeless.

I was living in a tent, drinking myself unconscious every day!

She didnt believe there was help available to her. After she experienced a theft she got in touch with local services and found a place in Julian House Night shelter. She is currently abstinent and attending DHI. She is thrilled to be moving into a hostel.

Suddenly my rock jerks to the right. Sureeta tells me I got a bite. I pull the rod to the side and feel the weight of something big on the end. I start to reel in the line and then it goes limp. When I pull up the bait only the head of the fish remains.

The one that got awayYou were too busy talking!

Sureeta tells me.I sit back down and talk some

more to Bridget when her rod moves, Andy stands up and pulls in the line.

You got to give the fish some slack, and then tighten up the back of the reel as you pull it in!

Suddenly we see the fish. A giant Pike, its massive head and its huge prehistoric mouth comes out of the water, we see a

flash of its fearsome teeth as it snaps to the side thrashing in the water in an attempt to get away, as Bridget reels the fish closer to the shore we see it leap out of the water, gills pumping as it beats on the surface of the water with its tails.

When Andy pulls the fish in we see its long head and silver spotted flanks.

Must be close to twenty pounds! Andy says and we all group around taking photographs.

Bridget is made up. Her first ever fishing trip and she lands a monster.

She poses for photographs with the giant fish in her arms.

Andy pulls the hook out of its mouth, I notice the teeth more clearly, long and raggedy like a shark. Andy moves the fish back and forth in the water to get water back into its gills.

You got to be careful with Pike! Andy says and turns his hand to show me a big scar on his hand.

A pike bit me and the bite became infected

I watch as the fish swims away into the depths of the water. Who would expect such a tranquil scene, ducks and swans, a picturesque weir with occasional boat trips would hide beneath its surface such formidable predators.

Pike are the top of the food chain! Andy explains, They take smaller fish, even ducklings.

The day carries on. Bridget catches an eel. We chat some more. Its sunny and bright, the leaves are still green and winter feels a long way off.

I tell Andy Ill see him next Wednesday. Andy gives me information about buying a rod. Maybe this is it. Prefer this to golf any day. Out and about in nature and something big and alive out there just waiting for the right sardine.

20ANDYs JOKEsAn employee of

the Mars company had to flee the country,

as he had a Bounty on his head.

An executive of Cadburys refused to talk about his shady dealings. Whenever anyone asked,

he Fudged the issue.

When a nun left the convent, she decided to set up her own bar.

She called it The Best Bar Nun.

A man went out for a roll. He was quite dizzy

when he got to the bottom of the hill.

A nun had Pepsi labels all over her gown. She couldnt help it, it was her

Coke habit.

A young woman went down onto the

beach for a spell. She was a sandwitch.

Employees at a Cadburys factory loved

winter. The snow was so Crunchie.

An employee of Cadburys had a

nervous breakdown, and got a bit Flaky.

21

1In 2014, which song by Meghan Trainor became the first song released in the 2010s to reach the Top 40 on streaming alone?

2 The Pharrell Williams song Happy was No. 1 for a total of how many weeks 2, 3 or 4?

3Which American country singer had a No. 4 hit in 2012 with We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together?

4 Snow Patrol, who had a hit in 2006 with Chasing Cars, were from which country? 5 Which Welsh singer had a No. 1 in 2008 with Mercy? 6Madonnas 1996 No. 10 hit You Must Love Me came from which musical film? 7 In 1990, Elton John achieved his first U.K. No. 1 single with which Double A-Side single?

8 The first Comic Relief single was released in 1986, and was a comedic re-recording of which Cliff Richard 1959 No.1?

9 What was the title of the only No. 1 single for Madness? 10 Which (mostly) 1970s group had nine No. 1s between 1974 and 1980?

11Eye Level, which was a No. 1 in 1973, was the theme for which TV detective series?

12What was the title of The Beatles first UK hit single, released in 1962?

13Gerry and the Pacemakers 1963 No. 1 Youll Never Walk Alone originally featured in which musical?

14 Which group had hits with Oh Boy and Thatll Be the Day in 1957?

15 Jimmy Young was the first UK artist to take Unchained Melody to No. 1, in 1955. Which American duo took the song back to No.1 in 1990?

MORE FUN!

Its Quiz timeGood luck with our quiz, answers are at the bottom of the page

21Off The Wall No.30, Summer 20151. All About That Bass; 2. 4; 3. Taylor Swift; 4. Northern Ireland; 5. Duffy; 6. Evita; 7. Sacrifice/Healing Hands; 8. Living Doll; 9. House of Fun; 10. ABBA; 11. Van Der Valk; 12. Love Me Do; 13. Carousel; 14. The Crickets; 15. The Righteous Brothers


www.dhi-online.org.uk

www.samaritans.org (08457 90 90 90)Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

www.talktofrank.comA to Z list of substances explains appearance and use, effects, chances of getting hooked, health risks and UK law.

www.nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol Drinking alcohol can affect lives in a number of ways. Visit our resources covering binge drinking, alcoholism, drinking calculator, alcohol limits and more.

www.drinkaware.co.ukRaising awareness about alcohol, health issues, legislation and drinking. Find useful information on binge drinking, hangover remedies and the health effects of excess alcohol.

www.smartrecovery.org.ukFind out more about SMART Recovery, find a meeting near you or participate in an online meeting!

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.ukFind out more about AA meetings and locate a meeting near you.

www.ukna.orgNarcotics Anonymous UK Find out more about NA meetings and locate a meeting near you.

www.cauk.org.ukCocaine Anonymous UK Find out more about CA meetings and locate a meeting near you.

www.release.org.ukProvides a range of services dedicated to meeting the health, welfare and legal needs of drugs users and those who live and work with them.

www.erowid.orgErowid is an online library containing tens of thousands of pages of information about psychoactive drugs, plants, and chemicals.

www.shelter.org.ukShelter believes everyone should have a home. More than one million people a year come to us for advice and support via our website.

www.gov.uk/jobsearchRegister with Universal Jobmatch for services like saved job searches, uploading a CV, email alerts and keeping track of your past applications.

www.moneysavingexpert.comGuides, tips articles and a forum about mortgages, credit cards and loans from Martin Lewis.

www.bigissue.org.ukCharity for people who are homeless giving critical help & information

www.crisis.org.ukHomelessness is about more than rooflessness. A home is not just a physical space, it also has a legal and social dimension.

www.volunteering.org.ukVolunteering England is an independent charity and membership organisation, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity.

www.mind.org.ukThe National Association for Mental Health in the United Kingdom campaigns on behalf of those with mental illness.

www.rethink.orgWorking together to help everyone affected by severe mental illness to recover a better quality of life.

www.dhi-online.org.ukand other useful websites

22 Off The Wall No.29, Winter 2014

23Off The Wall No.30, Summer 2015 23Off The Wall No.29, Winter 2014

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Off The Wall - Issue 30

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