The Swansea Blitz

We have just enjoyed an interesting talk, with vivid illustrations, about the Swansea Blitz. Phil Treseder, from Swansea Museum, had loads of pictures of Swansea scenes, taken before, during and after the terrible days of the Swansea Blitz. It all reminded me of stories my parents told me of the Sheffield Blitz.
For some of us it was a trip down memory lane and for those of us new to the area, it was an interesting insight into the growth and development of Swansea.
What dreadful times they must have been and I for one am very grateful that I was born just after it was all over.
We were really pleased to welcome two new members to our group - I am sure they will both find that being a member of a support group will make living with a lung condition much easier.

A trip on the River Tawe

What a lovely morning we have just had. We met in Swansea Marina to board "The Black Prince" for a leisurely cruise through the marina, with a view of all the boats moored there. For a change this summer, the sun shone, there was blue sky and the only shower was when we were on the boat and it didn't matter as we were under cover.

Boats varied from classy and pricey to messing about on the water varieties - all very picturesque.

 Coffee was served shortly after leaving the marina and, as we sailed sedately up the Tawe we heard the history of the busy docks, the copper works in Copperopolis and we saw remnants of the old dock walls. Much of the masonry for these was made from the waste slag from the copper smelting process.

Merle is looking at an ingot of copper - gosh was it heavy, and that came as a surprise.               We thought the two grooves on the ingot were so that they could be stacked one on top of the other with a length of rope running between the grooves. This would stop the cargo of copper moving in the ship during transit in heavy seas.

This is what is left of Copperopolis. How lovely to see the site green and flourishing again, and the river has fish once more, but also, what a shame that this history of Swansea is not being paid more attention and a bit more preservation wouldn't go amiss.

If you would like a trip on The Black Prince, have a look at their website. www.scbt.org.uk

Aberavon Beach Festival

After all the ghastly wet weather we have had recently, neither of us felt like getting out of bed on Saturday to go and set up our awareness table and toy sales in a marquee at Aberavon Beach. However, the weather was kind, only the odd bit of rain blowing in the wind and the crowds came. I need to get my knitting needles out as almost all my toys sold. Lots of people took away information booklets and we had quite a few people interested in Breathe Easy - it would be lovely to welcome some new faces to our group.

The brave men and women of the RNLI

We have just spent a very pleasant and informative afternoon with Mel Cooper, David and James from the RNLI. David showed us the full kit they wear and Mel gave us some of the history of the organisation as well as showing us a DVD which showed some actual rescues of swimmers in difficulties, people in boats in rough seas and a fisherman who was swept off the rocks in Porthcawl. We certainly owe these brave and dedicated people a huge debt.
Did you know if you need the lifeboat, you dial 999 and ask for the coastguard ?

Amazing success !

For the last six years we have held an abseil event at Dinas Rock in Pontneathvaughan on Easter Sunday and every year the local people who take part raise magnificent sums of money. This year we have raised £6,000 making a total of £33,500 over the six years.

Children and adults take part, ages ranging from eight to seventy, including a COPD patient who has recently completed the pulmonary rehab course at the Baglan Resource Centre. Some can’t wait to come back for another go and others say “Never again – but I did it !” This year Patrick Flood Page, chairman of British Lung Foundation Wales, and his two little girls took part as well as Suzy Davies AM, and a local policeman, an estate agent, an occupational therapist and her family and many, many more. Breathe Easy Cardiff sent a team and they raised £828 for their own group.

Over the years the money has been used to buy equipment for Pulmonary Rehab in the Resource Centre in Baglan Moors and for wider investment into lung disease research.

              We are extremely grateful to Call of the Wild and the Dulais Valley Independent Ambulance Service who run the event and give us medical cover free of charge, meaning that all the money raised can be used to better the lives of people living with lung disease.

Once again we had an awareness stand at the Aberavon Charities Fiesta. Our main theme was "Take Five and Stay Alive" which is focussed on making sure people know how to handle asbestos safely in the home, especially during home improvements. How many people know that it is often to be found in pipe lagging, in Artex and asbestos roofing as well as some fire proofed products. If in doubt, call in the experts. Your local council will help. Better to be safe than sorry. Asbestos breathed in now could cause horrible health problems, such as Mesothelioma, in thirty to forty years time. Call the BLF helpline to find out more 03000 030 555 or check out the British Lung Foundation website www.lunguk.org

As well as making people aware of lung issues we sold dolls and toys, making £60 for our Breathe Easy group.

Breathlessness and oxygen

Dr Banks talked at length about feelings of breathlessness and low oxygen levels, and how although the two seem to be related, actually they are two different things. Some people with COPD can be extremely breathless but have relatively high oxygen levels, while others experience sudden drops in oxygen when they exercise and become breathless. Why is this ? It's one if the worlds great mysteries.
The only thing we do know is that the exercises and breathing techniques we learn in pulmonary rehab do make a huge difference. Keeping muscles fit reduces the demand for oxygen when we exercise and knowledge of breathing techniques helps us recover quickly once we become breathless.
Our inhalers help by keeping the airways open, the rest is down to us to practise the lessons we have learned.