Convalescence In The Digital Age…. From The John Rae Society….
by Bernie Bell - 09:03 on 15 October 2025
Convalescence In The Digital Age….
We were planning to visit someone we know who is home from hospital, convalescing, and I was thinking what to take him. It used to be the case that, when visiting someone in hospital or convalescing, you’d take something for them to read or do. Books, magazines - depending on the person, puzzle magazines often went down well.
Then I realised – he’ll have his Lap-top or Tablet with him – and it’s all there - anything he wants to occupy him - and I realised that it’s another way that the Digital Age has changed our lives. The choice of what we took to a convalescing person showed thought. OK, it might not be the BEST choice but – it’s the thought that counts.
The Internet might be more likely to provide what suits the person’s tastes, or what they feel like at the time, but the personal, human touch isn’t there. And – there are no surprises – sometimes the person had never come across the publication that they were given.
Here’s a memory……
1968, aged 13, in hospital with a perforated eardrum from sneezing too hard (honest!) my big brother Tony came to see me and brought me a copy of the IT (initials which have a whole other meaning now)……
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Times
This might seem like a strange publication to take your kid sister in hospital – Tony also introduced me to the music of Woody Guthrie, Julie Felix and Joan Baez.
‘Nuff said.
***************************************************************************
From The John Rae Society….
“Welcome to our October update
Patronage, upcoming talks, and a glimpse at what we have planned for November onwards.
A warm welcome to our new Patron, Cerys Matthews MBE
The John Rae Society is delighted to welcome Cerys Matthews as a new Patron. Cerys has a long-standing love of Orkney and a deep admiration for John Rae, making her a wonderful addition to the Society’s growing community of supporters.
Cerys accepted the patronage after Society President Andrew Appleby appeared on her BBC Radio 6 Music show on Sunday 5 October. Their conversation took listeners from Orkney to the Arctic, exploring Rae’s relationships with the Inuit, his work with the Hudson’s Bay Company, and his enduring legacy in exploration and science. Cerys’s enthusiasm for John Rae and the Orkney Islands was clear throughout the discussion.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to working with Cerys as we continue our efforts to save and restore Hall of Clestrain, increase engagement across Orkney, and share the story of John Rae with the wider world.
We are thrilled to have her support and warmly welcome her to The John Rae Society. Cerys joins patrons Ray Mears, Lorraine Kelly OBE and Sir Michael Palin.
You can listen to the BBC 6 Radio appearance on BBC Sounds below.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002k502
Dates for your diaries!
A talk from Arctic adventurer, Mark Agnew
Motivational speaker Mark Agnew is a master storyteller - Mark and his three teammates made history when they kayaked through the entire Northwest Passage. Mark will deliver a talk online on the 20th October 2025 at 7pm. Tickets will go on sale shortly via the website.
The John Rae Society presents: John Geiger
The Society are thrilled to welcome John Geiger, who will deliver an online talk on the 23rd October 2025 at 7pm. He is the internationally bestselling author of seven books, including Frozen In Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition. Tickets will go on sale shortly via the website.
Coming soon…
Adventure is out there!
The Society will soon release details of our Adventure Week in November, in partnership with Malcolm Handoll of All Five Senses Rewildling. This will be a 9 day event run in Orkney with children and adults alike. More details will follow shortly.
Did you miss our September talks? They are now available on our Youtube channel below!
https://www.youtube.com/@johnraesociety
Add your comment
