News - 4th July 2008

On Friday 4th July 08, Irene Hartup, Cardiac Nursing Specialist & Terry Main BACR Fitness Instructor arrived very early at the Fishguard Leisure Centre to decorate and prepare the fitness studio for Norman Shale’s 80th surprise Birthday party, with appropriate banners and numerous photographs of Norman in his younger days who was the splitting image of film star Clarke Gable.

Norman, a very popular member of the Fishguard Cardiac Group has not been enjoying the best of health of late, with re-occurring coronary problems, but under the very watchful eye of his wife Judith managed to partake and enjoy the celebrations in his honour.

A snap shot of Norman’s professional career, reflects him starting in Theatres in Brighton as a bell- boy at the age of 16, rubbing shoulders with numerous celebrities and many film stars. At the age of twenty, Clarke Gable’s wife mistakenly took Norman as her husband during celebrations behind the “Curtain” of a show, receiving a big hug and kisses from her, which Norman accepted with much delight, of course this was all before he was married to his childhood sweetheart Judith. As he climbed the promotional ladder Norman found himself as “Stage Manager” in many of the theatres in London’s West End, which he thoroughly enjoyed and received much recognition for his work. Norman & Judith now enjoy the relaxed world, which surrounds them in St Dogmaels and the wonderful friendship found in the Cardiac Group in Fishguard.

Alan Cresswell of West Street, Fishguard, supplied the excellent, plentiful and healthy buffet cuisine for the party, which received high admiration & commendations from our Cardiac Nurse.

A new programme of walks, as organised by Step2Health up to the end of the year, can be found on our website www.FishguardCRG.co.uk. Hoping summer is not too far away, plans are afoot to organise outings to Llanerchaeron Country House and Gardens, and on another occasion Botanical Gardens and perhaps stopping to have exercise in the shopping precinct of Carmarthen.

With a grant as received from the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services we have procured a 3 metre by 3 metre Marquee as supplied by Brian Morgan, Letterston, and also an all weather notice board from “Sigma” both these items will be used to help raise the profile of Cardiac Rehabilitation and promote the awareness required to sustain a “Healthy Heart”. Our first programmed event will be at the Dinas Carnival on Saturday 26th July 08, when you can have your Blood pressure & Cholesterol checked by our Cardiac Nursing Specialist, Irene Hartup, who will be more than pleased to answer any of your questions relating to a “Healthy Heart”.

Our next meeting of “Terry and his pacemakers” will be at the Fishguard Leisure Centre on Friday 11th July 08, with Phase 4 starting at 10.00am and Phase 3 starting at 1.00pm. For more information either contact Terry Grover on 01239 820607 or John Palmer on 01348 872240 or indeed why not visit our website www.FishguardCRG.co.uk as so generously sponsored by ePembs.