Chris Connell

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Chris Connell.

Chris was a long time member of Out In The City but had not attended for some time due to illness. I last spoke to him at the end of March, when he informed me that he was recovering from cancer and was looking forward to getting back involved with the group hopefully within a couple of months.

We have only just discovered that he died in May 2023. His sister, Brigit Forsyth, best known for her acting role as Thelma Ferris in the BBC comedy Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? died on 1 December 2023.

Some photos can be seen here.

Christmas “To Do” list

There’s always so much to do at this time of year – but what can really help is to write a well-defined To Do list of what you might realistically achieve in your day.

Here’s Brian Bilston’s list:

Christmas To Do List

• delay, defer, equivocate
• make some tea, procrastinate
• look at phone, stroke the cat
• readjust the thermostat
• dawdle, dither, hem and haw
• eat mince pie, chew my jaw
• write a card, spin on chair
• play six games of solitaire
• take a break make a brew
• review my list of things to do
• eat mince pie, paper scrunch
• stroke the cat, have some lunch

• prioritise new tasks to shirk

• (more cups of tea + less housework)

• look at phone, spin on chair
• eat mince pie, loiter, stare
• consider shopping, have quick doze,
• rest mince pie on bridge of nose
• stroke the cat, take a break
• write a card, eat some cake
• spin phone, mince cat, stroke tea, wallow

• write To Do list for tomorrow

Drinks in the Gay Village

We celebrated the season with drinks at Via on Canal Street in the Gay Village. Some photos can be seen here.

The last meeting this year is on 21 December 2023 at Cross Street Chapel from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

We ho-ho-hope that you have a great Christmas and New Year. We are taking a short break.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, 3 January 2024 at Manchester Central Library from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.