Pattie has asked me to thank everyone who has send such kind thoughts to her and Mick. I enclose a copy of a short report on our recent visit. Thanks again for your thoughts. Andy ********************************** Mick Tems - The Visit On Thursday 11th May I was pleased to be able to accompany Pattie on her visit to Mick in Colchester hospital. Following his stroke, over two weeks ago there seemed to be only a small improvement in Mick's condition. They hadn't reckoned on Pat and the "Calennig magic". After half an hour or so of listening to assorted Calennig tracks on CD, Mick was working hard at singing along with Pattie.

Then Pattie produced Mick's trusty melodeon and with me holding the bass end and his, not-so-clever, hand, and Pattie pulling and pushing before long Mick was actually playing tunes and certainly joining in the singing. From here he seemed to go from strength to strength. At one point while singing the Mari's Song, one of the nurses went to fetch the staff nurse they could not believe this was the same man who until then could only mutter yes or shake his head. Now he was word perfect and in tune - in Welsh !!! No, this wasn't Calennig's most polished performance, but it was to me, one of their most powerful and a moment that I felt privileged to be part of. To watch Mick mouthing the words of Gowerton Fair would have been heartbreaking had it not been such a sure sign of hope for the future. Within an hour not only was Mick managing to play and sing, but he was laughing at his own inability to speak or even spell properly, ( melodeon will never be spelt the same again ! ). It was a very moving experience made more so by the fact that at no time was there any sign from Mick of frustration or anger and certainly never tears .

I don't want to build up too many false hopes - Mick is still very ill, but yesterday he showed a real interest in his music and the way forward. It will be slow and hard work, for both Mick and Pat, and they will both need our support for some while yet. For the time being he will be staying in Colchester Hospital. Mick is in the excellent, brand new , purpose built, Rehabilitation Unit with very caring staff - he is in very good hands, although a long way from home.

As we left you could almost feel the sigh of relief as that whirlwind we call Pattie and quiet little me, left the ward to regain its normal peace and quiet. What the other patients may not have realised is that Mick now has his melodeon and will be practising every day as part of his physiotherapy !!!!! On our next visit we plan to bring the Mari with us, if that doesn't get him deported back to Wales nothing will !!

Andy Jackson