Minutes of the Basingstoke & Deane Over 55’s Open Forum Meeting held on Wednesday 12th February 2014.

Present: 252 members attended, as indicated on the Register, with 20 visitors.

1. WELCOME

The Chairman, Graham Finlayson (GF), formally opened the meeting and welcomed all members to the first Open Forum of 2014. He hoped that guests would find the session interesting and enjoyable and would, hopefully, join the Forum. There were some slight amendments to the Agenda which were shown on screen.

GF gave the usual reminder on H&S matters and asked members to turn off mobile phones. He expressed thanks to all those who had generously donated so many raffle prizes, with special thanks to the volunteers who kindly sold the tickets, to those members who had set out the chairs, to our volunteers on car parking duty and, most importantly, to the volunteers who collect the food! He said that St John Ambulance were present for this meeting but he hoped they would not be needed.

GF went on to remind everyone about the book exchange scheme and if you did not have a book to exchange, a donation would be appreciated. He also gave a reminder that juices would be served at the front of the room, as at the previous meeting, to allow for more seating and to lessen congestion at the back of the room.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Copies of the Minutes of previous meetings were available on the web site www.bdover55sforum.btck.co.uk but members could request copies from the Secretary, Gerald Merritt (GM). GF expressed thanks to Marian Wilson for her hard work in producing our Newsletters every two months.

GF said that there seemed to have been some duplication as the members receiving documents by email also received paper copies. He asked for a show of hands from those who received duplicates and it was a significant number. GF said the problem would be raised with B&DBC.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 Changes to bus routes/timetables

The Forum has raised a number of issues in discussions with BDBC and Stagecoach but will be taking the matter further.

3.2 HCC Listening Exercise

The results were not yet available but HCC had received 1,800 responses from the 4,000 forms issued which was a very good number.

3.3 AGM and Accounts

The audit has now been completed and there were no changes to the draft accounts issued in December. GF asked for formal approval of the audited accounts, proposed by Dennis Fulcrom, seconded by Mary Seymour, carried unanimously.

4. BASINGSTOKE HOSPITAL RADIO

The presentation was given by Christine Rowley and Paul le Feuvre. Paul outlined his background and Christine explained how she came to join the Hospital Radio. It has all been done through fund raising as the service does not receive funds from any official bodies.

The Basingstoke Hospital Radio is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. It started in Alton and was run from a "broom cupboard" with only two people. There are now two studios in a portacabin, with a committee and some thirty volunteers. Any age can join in but there is a lot of work as it includes ward visits, a vital part of hospital radio.

Paul explained how Radio Treloar started, using tapes, but he went on to collect records and now has some 46,000 records. Christine started at Hope FM and came to Basingstoke from Delta Radio.

Following a demonstration of the types of music and programmes, Christine outlined the awards that HRB has won and the partnerships that they have with other organisations.

More volunteers are always needed for a range of positions and anyone interested should look at the website www.HRBasingstoke.co.uk.

5. POISON IS MY BUSINESS (Forensic Toxicology)

The presentation was given by Prof. David Osselton, BSc., PhD., CSci., CChem, FRSC, FFSSoc, MEWI who outlined his background, starting at Aldermaston as a toxicologist, then moving to Nottingham and now back to Aldermaston.

What is it that makes toxicology so fascinating? Shakespeare mentioned poisons in his plays, Conan Doyle's books had 10 victims who were poisoned and 62 of Agatha Christie's novels referred to poisons.

Forensic Toxicology is the application of the study of poisons to assist the legal process. It assists in the investigation of a potential criminal offence and helps the court come to a meaningful and just decision, by explaining the science or facts relating to the use of a “poisonous substance”.

Poisoning is a very serious crime and it is always premeditated. If one is going to poison someone, it must be administered in such a way that the victim does not die straight away but slowly, so the poison is not detected. To be effective, poisons have to be odourless, tasteless, colourless, readily soluble, delayed onset of action, undetectable, easily obtainable but not traceable, chemically stable and should mimic natural disease.

Early man learned by trial and error but, by Roman times (eg poison rings), poisoning was rife and arsenic was popular in Victorian times. As science was in its infancy, it was difficult to detect poisons. The Borgias used a poison made by sprinkling arsenic over the entrails of a rotting pig. When the pig was almost liquefied, it was evaporated and dried to produce a white powder (Cantarella).

The first recorded case at the Old Bailey was in 1739 when Catherine Demay was accused of murdering Michael Dunn by adding “a great quantity of cantharides, being a deadly poison, in a liquor of coffee and boiling water”. The post mortem showed large blisters in the stomach but they did not see the expected glistening shells in the intestinal contents, so Demay was acquitted.

A poison that was difficult to detect was Lytta-Vescatoria (Spanish Fly), made from a beetle, but it can now be detected from the stomach contents. Pesticides used to be lethal but are much safer now and you would have to consume a large amount to die.

The founder of toxicology was Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila (1787-1853) who gave the definition “Poison is the name given to any substance which, taken inwardly in a very small dose, or applied in any kind of manner to a living body, depraves health, or entirely destroys life”.

Professor Osselton described a number of other famous cases where poisoning was identified as the cause of death: John Tawell (Prussic Acid - 1845) was executed; William Palmer, the Rugeley Poisoner, was hanged in June 1856; Dr George Henry Lamson, was hanged in April 1882; and Eugene Marie Chantrelle, was hanged in May 1878. One of the most famous cases was that of Crippen who allegedly murdered his wife, Cora. Although Crippen was hanged in November 1910, there is now some doubt as to whether the remains were those of his wife.

The major case types are: Intentional poisoning (i.e. murder or attempted murder), administration of noxious substances, assist the Coroner to ascertain cause of death, suicide, accidental poisoning, driving under influence, DFSA, adulterations and drug testing.

Ricinus Communis is a Shrub 4 - 6ft high is grown commercially for caster oil and has palmate red leaves. The oil contains ricinoleic acid and the castor oil increases small intestine peristalsis. Ricin is contained in the fibrous part of the bean although whole seeds swallowed are non-toxic. This was identified as the poison in the case of Georgie Markov, the "umbrella killing".

In cases of drug facilitated sexual assault, blood, urine and hair samples are used. Blood tells us what might still be active in body, urine an early sample and hair provides history which is useful when several hours might have elapsed between alleged assault and reporting incident.

There are many things being sold as ecstasy and tests can be carried out to identify the real substance. The growth of legal highs is causing a problem as they are not controlled. However, technology is moving rapidly and DNA and genetics will not only offer better treatment for patients but may also help in toxicology.

Professor Osselton finished by outlining the landmarks in drug analysis from 1800 to the present day and into 2015.

6. AGE CONCERN HAMPSHIRE

Rob Chapman explained his role in providing information and advice, following his move from Winchester to Basingstoke. When parts of Age Concern merged with Help the Aged to form Age UK, Age Concern Hampshire stayed as a separate organisation, funded by HCC and B&DBC. There are some 200 staff with 400 volunteers and a new director was appointed in 2012.

Older people should be respected and valued and the Age Concern vision is for old age to be a positive experience. There are 15 day centres across Hampshire with activities to support daily living, stimulate memory and social interaction ie somewhere to enjoy the day.

Wellbeing services are offered such as foot care treatments, help with IT, exercise classes, meals on wheels and friendship initiatives and there is generally a waiting list for such services. Rob's role is to offer advice and to promote these services which operate from Winchester, Havant and Basingstoke. If Rob cannot provide the advice, he is able to "signpost" to those who can. Some 8,000 calls were received last year, on many different subjects.

OPAL, the Older Persons' Area Link offers help to those who feel isolated due to illness or are new to the area. Village Agents are all volunteers who operate in rural areas of the county. There is a lot of information on the web site and a quarterly newsletter is issued. Age Concern also works closely with partners such as B&DBC health services, CAB etc. Road shows are held in Basingstoke and there will be an Information Day on 26th March, with a further one in October. Age Concern is at the Dome Cafe on Wednesday mornings and Neighbourcare provides transport and befriending services. HCC operates the "Buy with Confidence" scheme to identify reputable traders and supports Aster Living who can carry out small jobs for the elderly or less active.

7. GENERAL INFORMATION

GF said that it was necessary to change the amounts that the Forum could pay without full committee approval, to ensure that payments could be made in advance for trip entry fees etc. The following amended paragraph in the Constitution covered the required changes:

"All cheques drawn on the account must be signed by at least two of the four members of the Executive Committee who have signature approval. The four will normally be the chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary. Approval for cheques over £1,000 for Forum expenditure or over £2,500 for trips or special events will be sought at anExecutive Meeting before they are issued.“

Acceptance of the changes was proposed by Malcolm Barham and seconded by Barbara Engelfield, carried unanimously.

GF reminded members of the dates of the Open Forum meetings, displayed on screen. He also mentioned the New Age Kurling sessions, free to members and the Core Fitness Classes at £2.50 per session.

The Forum was staging a special event to commemorate the start of WW1, with a provisional date of 7th June, in the Carnival Hall and GF also said the Variety Show to celebrate the International Day would be held on 4th October at Aldworth College.

Changes to the Library Service have been proposed by the HCC (either closing or reducing the service) and it was important everyone makes their views known on the web site at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/library/library-about/library-consultation.htm.

Finally, GF reminded everyone about the meeting regarding signposting in the town centre, on 26th February from 4 to 7pm in the Tonic Bar at the top of town.

8. EVENTS REPORT & HHFT REPORT

The Secretary, Gerald Merritt (GM) firstly mentioned the Brass Band Concert in aid of the Prostate Cancer Equipment Fund, at QMC on 13th April. Also, he was recently invited to a meeting to judge the Well Awards, with nominees from all areas of the hospital.

GM went on to provide the latest picture on this year's trips. There was an error in the Newsletter as the Thriplow trip is on 6th April, not 16th. The free trips will be to Gloucester on 9th and 27th April.

9. CLOSE OF MEETING

Before closing, GF reminded members that collection tins were on the tables in the side room where lunch was served and donations were most welcome. The meeting closed at 12.50pm.

Diane Anderson – Committee Member

Graham Finlayson - Chairman

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