Dear Readers
Firstly, please let me introduce myself. My name is Alan Lindsay and I am proud to be president of the Bournemouth and District Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
This year our branch has been lucky enough to be sponsored by mags4dorset enabling me to tell you all about our centre at West Parley. In the next 11 issues I will be able, through the generosity of this super magazine, to introduce you to the Osborne Centre, the facilities it offers, complete with the activities undertaken both by the branch members and our wonderful band of volunteers.
My hope is that you will find my letters interesting and in bringing our charity to your attention you will want to find out more about our branch, the centre and the support you could give us. Who knows, perhaps you may even consider becoming one of our intrepid volunteers. It really is a happy friendly place to visit so why not come and get involved, even for a couple of hours a week?
The Osborne Centre
The Osborne Centre
So, where to begin? At the beginning may be good!
The branch was actually formed on 8 December 1964 when a group of people, largely from TocH and the Masons, jointly decided that Bournemouth should have a contact centre for people with MS. They rented an old hall near Pokesdown but after a few short years managed to purchase a larger hall in Walpole Road, Boscombe.
The branch flourished throughout the 70s and early 80s until it was decided to move again, this time to a purpose built building on the outskirts of the town.
Many sites were looked at before Church Lane, West Parley was chosen and on 9 June 1985, the Osborne Day Centre was officially opened.
Next month we’ll begin to explore our branch in more detail.
Bye for now
Alan
MS Centre: 01202 570300
