Parkinson's UK Shrewsbury Branch Newsletter | Nov 2025
- Charlotte Fisher
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Time to bag your Christmas cards
The Christmas card shop in St Mary’s Church is up and running, offering a selection of cards, calendars and diaries from 21 different charities including, of course, the Shrewsbury Parkinson’s branch.
It’s open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday until 6 December, so don’t forget to go along while there’s still a good choice as the shop is very popular.
Lobby MP before vital Parky debate
The Movers & Shakers group has reached its goal of 100,000 signatures for the Parky Charter petition, securing a debate in parliament for 17 November 2025. Now they are appealing for our help to get the backing of our local MPs for this next stage.
Rory Cellan-Jones of Movers & Shakers writes: “MPs need to be educated about Parkinson’s so that they can take part in the debate. So we’re calling on Parkinson’s groups up and down the country to invite their MPs to meet them, to ask them to join the All Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s and to attend the debate.
“Research showing that 21,000 people may be living with undiagnosed Parkinson’s because a desperate shortage of neurologists leaves them waiting years to see a specialist highlights the urgent need for change. That means the demands in the Parky Charter, notably the call for more specialists, must be understood by lawmakers.”
Click here to download a letter template and email it to Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley at julia.buckley.mp@parliament.uk
Join carol singers at Christmas fair
Shrewsbury’s Victorian Carol Singers will be performing at the Christmas Fair in St Mary’s Church on Saturday, 6 December.
This popular event features a host of independent traders selling handcrafted gifts, festive food, decorations, and more.
Branch members are invited to come along — and if you have a Victorian costume, you’re welcome to join in. Your outfit doesn't have to be historically accurate, but will need to look Victorian. There’s no rehearsal or audition, and song words will be provided.
The singers will perform at 11am and 1pm, and we have permission to collect donations for Shrewsbury branch.
Follow Shrewsbury’s Victorian carol singers on Facebook for the latest information.
Quiz night helped boost branch funds
Much fun was had at our quiz night hosted by Amanda and her husband Paul on the evening of Wednesday, 29 October, Winning team Four Short Planks took the honours, led
by Jane Williams.
Podcast sheds light on latest research
A recent BBC podcast on research into Parkinson’s is well worth a listen. Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and Dr Sonia Gandhi is one of the scientists working to change that trend.
As Professor of Neurology at University College London and Assistant Research Director at the Francis Crick Institute, her work involves using stem cells to build models of the human brain, helping drive development of drugs and other Parkinson’s therapies.
Talking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Sonia explains why this destructive condition is on the rise—and the promising routes they're studying to find new ways to tackle it.
Click here to find the podcast on the BBC website, or listen on BBC Sounds.
Listen to talk on diet
At our September social, NHS dietitians Lizzie and Elysha talked about the importance of good nutrition for people with Parkinson’s and gave tips on getting the timing right when combining food and medication.
Email maggie.connell1@gmail.com if you would like to listen to an edited, enhanced audio version of the presentation.
Beech band update
Do you have a Beech band? A company representative will be giving a presentation at our branch social on 18 February. Worn on the wrist or ankle, the device aims to ease Parkinson’s symptoms using a tapping mechanism. The original band is quite noisy, but a new, quieter version launches on 10 November—see beechband.com for details.
Dates for your diary
Our monthly socials are held at The Beaconsfield Club in the centre of Shrewsbury
(opposite the bus station) on the third Wednesday of the month, from 11am to 12.15pm. These friendly meetings are FREE, and the club has a car park.
Table Tennis: Mon 17 November, 1 December, 10.30am-12pm, the Sports Village, Sundorne Road, SY1 4RQ
Parkinson’s Exercise Hub: Wed 19, 26 November, 3 December, 10am-12pm at Smithy’s Bar, Shrewsbury Town Football Club, SY2 6ST (NO hub on 12 November)
Physiotherapy: Mon 10 and 24 November, 11am-12pm, at ‘Central’, above Palmer’s café, Claremont St, SY1 1QG
Speech & Language Therapy: Thurs 13 and 27 November, 2-3pm, Radbrook Community Centre, Calverton Way, SY3 6DZ
Walking Tennis: Friday 7 and 21 November, 10.30am-12.30pm, Cathie Sabin Tennis Dome, Sundorne Road, SY2 4RG
Branch Social: Wed 19 November, 11am-12.15pm, The Beaconsfield Club, SY1 1PD;
Sing-along led by musician Alan Thomas, including hits from the 50s and 60s
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