Thursday 16th March 2017


Hi there welcome back.


First things first!

Did you get the chance to watch our Gateshead Special Olympic Team GB singing their theme song, with Kevin Keegan, for the 2017 Sheffield Games?
They appeared on ITV, BBC and The Chronicle Live website.

The song is to represent the whole of the Northern region, so members of team GB are all learning the words ready for Sheffield.

Here's the link again for the Chronicle Live report.

www.chroniclelive.co.uk



Look for the headline "Kevin Keegan re-records world cup song "This Time".


I'm sure the athletes would love to hear what you think of their performances.
Let us know and we will post your comments on our BLOG.


Blogged by Brenda Ritson.


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We have another date for your diary.

We are having an Easter disco on 13th April, at Marquisway, from 1pm 'til 3pm.
It is 50p admission and there will be refreshments available to buy from the tuck shop.

There'll be a raffle, hopefully with lots of Easter Eggs!!

and there'll be an Eastyer Bonnet/Hat competition! Get your artistic side going and create us a masterpiece of headwear!


Good Luck


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Makaton sign of the week.


To Fall

1. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of you, palm facing down.

2. With your other hand, index and middle fingers make an upside down 'V' shape. Rest the tips of your fingers against the back of your other hand.

3. Then move your dominant hand so that your fingers are lying across the back of your other hand.




Blogged by Brenda Ritson. Tested by Gary Cringle


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Don't forget Marquisway will be closed on Monday 20th March for staff training.


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That's all for this week.


Don't forget, get in touch if you have any news ofr us to tell everyone about or if you just want to let us  know what you think of our BLOG.


Have  a good week,


The Bloggers.

Thursday 9th March 2017




Hi there,

this week we just have "kick off" with the visit to Marquisway by Kevin Keegan, to meet the Gateshead Special Olympic athletes and to sing the Northern Region Olympic team song, in readiness for Sheffield 2017.


We have the link for you to watch it for yourselves.
Remember to crank up the volume to totally appreciate the effort, dedication and commitment of our athletes, coaches and volunteers.


www.chroniclelive.co.uk


Look for the headline "Kevin Keegan re-records world cup song "This Time".
Lets get your offices, homes, places of work, colleges etc singing this tune to show our support. Send us your photos of you joining in and/or your thoughts and we will publish them. It would be fantastic if we could all get into the spirit of Special Olympics 2017, support our squad!
There has also been reports on both ITV and BBC local news, maybe you have seen the footage.
Hopefully, there will be more coverage as the Games get nearer.

Blogged by Brenda Ritson


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Also, 2 of our Special Olympic athletes have been nominated to receive awards at the North East Disability Sports Awards. They are Susan Dalton and Andrew Dodd. There will be an award dinner on 23rd March, at the very nice Slaley Hall. We're sure that you will join us in wishing them both Good Luck. 

                                                                Good Luck Susan

                                            Good Luck Andrew, pictured here in the centre.


Blogged by Christine Crudass


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There is also an opportunity for some of our athletes to go to the WWE tour, at the Arena, If you are a Special Olympic Athlete and would like to go please contact either Danielle Appleby or Marie Slater at the civic to see if there are any tickets still available.


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Next, some dates for your diary

At Marquisway...
Fun activities in the morning followed by Deacon Parker's Friday Afternoon Disco. Please wear fun clothing for this day...fancy dress, nightwear or just lots of red.


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Don't forget, Marquisway will be closed on Monday 20th March for staff training.
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Next Disco, the Easter Disco, is on Friday 7th April. £2.00 a ticket, carers free.
Food and drinks available to buy.
Here are some photo's of the last Friday night disco, to celebrate Valentines day.

                 
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Marquisway will be closed on Friday 14th April (Good Friday) and Monday 17th April (Easter Monday)


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Makaton Sign of the Week.


Paper

 1. Start with your hands in a clenched fist position, as if driving a car.

 

 2. Tap your fists together, so that the middle sections of your fingers make contact. 

3. Repeat step 2

Thankyou to Mr David Richardson for the demonstration.




And that's it for this week!


We hope that you'll take the time to watch the link to the Special Olympic Team Theme, it's well worth it. Don't forget to let us know what you think of it, the athletes would appreciate your feedback.


Have a good week,


The Bloggers

Thursday March 2nd 2017

Hi There,

Have we got some stuff to tell you!

First of all, for those of you that missed the diary dates from last week..

Monday 20th March: Marquisway will be closed all day as it is a staff training day.


Friday 7th April: Marquisway Disco. We will give you more information next week or please check out last weeks BLOG as it is available there.


Friday 14th April and Monday 17th April: Easter Bank Holidays, Marquisway will be closed on both days.


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We have now had our new Ball Pool installed. It's excellent, it's really big. It has lights that change colour in line with the connected music system.
Here are some photographs to show us trying it out.

Bloggers, Christine and Brenda checking out the Ball Pool!

Stacey was the first to climb in the pool. She said that she really enjoyed the experience.

..the next time we looked, Ged, member of staff, couldn't resist trying it out too!

We will keep you updated on what everyone thinks. We are very proud and excited about the Autism suite.

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Archery Tournament

The archers took part in the Bowmen of Backworth  competition on Saturday. It was a Portsmouth shoot of 60 arrows over 20 yards.

Despite being so cold they could hardly hold the bow;

 

Jemma Robison – Gold

Janet Hall- Silver

Andrew Dodds- Bronze

 

Every one had a great day.

 

Well done to everyone, great results for our athletes.

                                         

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Still on the Special Olympic theme, something slightly different!

Our Special Olympic Athletes have recorded the 1982 England World Cup football song. It has been given a new lease of life as the theme tune for the Northern Region Special Olympic 2017 National Games. The Games will take place in Sheffield this August. Everyone has had lots of fun with this musical project.

The song is being launched tomorrow with a special performance. We are also having a VIP coming along. The Newcastle United legend himself... Kevin Keegan!

                                           The man himself when he played for the 'Toon'

                          and again when he returned to manage the 'Toon' aka The Entertainers!

     He's bound to receive a very warm, Marquisway welcome!

                                                    (We're all so excited!)

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We are going to be bringing you our regular feature of the Makaton sign of the week.

 TO SWIM

1. Place palms together in front of you.

2. Move hands forward away from you.

3. Turn palms outwards.

4. The draw your arms back, with palms still facing out, as if you were really swimming the breaststroke at the baths.


Many thanks to our Blogger, Brenda, for providing the demonstration.


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Other things of interest...


We have received a flyer about a coffee morning at

 

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Also for your information...

Shona Tong, dep Manager, had a meeting with the Marketing Director, Nic Bohanna, at MOD Pizzas in the Metro Centre. He is keen for people who have Autism and/or a Learning Disability to use his restaurant so he is working towards holding Autism friendly nights throughout the weekto link in with the Autism friendly screenings at the Cinema. You can find out more at www.modpizza.co.uk.

You can find the restaurant in

The Qube,

 intu Metro Centre 

Gateshead.

NE11 9XG

Tel: 0191 460 0849

Shona will keep us updated.

 

That's it for this week, hope you enjoyed the BLOG. We will have loads of piuctures of KK next week and will hopefully be able to upload the song or perhaps the link to mbe able to hear the song.

The Bloggers.