My Wiltshire Life - Ann Fowler

10:42am Thursday 5th April 2007

ANN Fowler is responsible for setting up the Sunday Alzheimer Support Group in Charter House at the Orchard Day Hospital in Trowbridge.

Mrs Fowler, who is a registered nurse, has been living in Trowbridge for 18 years, having moved from Corsham, where she and husband Phillip lived for 30 years.

The Support Group, which has been running since December 2000, offers help to people with some form of dementia and short-term memory loss and offers relief to their carers to have a day to themselves.

What three items can you not live without, and why?

I would take the Bible. It gives us a whole purpose on life and life after death.

I would also take some books and autobiographies. I love to read. I like autobiographies, like the one by the late George Thomas. I also like anything on Judge Judy Scheindlin. She must have a very, very analytical mind.

I would take my walking boots. I like to walk, mostly locally around by the canal and in and around the town where I live. I go most days because it gives a good opportunity to really think about life.

What is it that you cherish most about Alzheimer's Support?

There was a need for people in the community and carers particularly to have a day off. Sunday was often the only day they had to themselves but then they would have to look after their family member with Alzheimer's.

I like being involved in it because it is about being able to have a positive impact in the community. A lot of the people feel they are worthless and we look to help them to feel respected and that life is worth living.

We need more of this kind of support group because I always have a waiting list.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?

I have always wanted to go to Greenland. We've tried twice before but it has not been possible to go but this year we are hoping to go in August.

It must be the most fantastic place in the world, to be there amongst the ice and glaciers and the people who have to live with what the world gives them. We are going for two weeks and I can't wait.

What do you love most about living in Wiltshire?

I think really the countryside and fields can sometimes be so wonderfully quiet. I feel that Wiltshire is fairly safe place to live in and I just love it.

The White Horse is particularly nice. I go up there sometimes and it is really quiet and you can see for miles and miles. It is very restful and really gets your mind thinking and it is just a small part of the world.

Do you have any pets?

I love Siamese cats. Camille, our Siamese cat died at Christmas when she was aged 20.5. She was a rescue cat so I think we did quite well. We will be getting another kitten when she is old enough to leave her mum. We've named her Tamara Tinkerbelle because we've heard she is a little tinker.

Tell us something special about yourself

I was a glider pilot from 1974 to 1989 gaining my glider pilot's licence in 1974 and then going on to obtain a Bronze C certificate in gliding in 1976.

I flew from Bristol and Gloucester Gliding Club in Nympsfield, near Stroud, Gloucester.