September 2016 Extra

On a damp and dreary Monday afternoon visitors were delighted to be welcomed to the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Memory Cafe. As usual there were some new faces as well as some ‘old friends’, and soon everyone was chatting or having a go at some puzzles which were based around farming and the dairy industry.

When we welcomed our special visitor for the afternoon, everything fell into place! Philip Rodda, former managing director and family member of the famous Cornish clotted cream producer, arrived to give us an illustrated talk about the history of the company and of his family.

A fascinating archive film introduced the Rodda Family dynasty and led into Philip’s interesting and entertaining talk, which might have been subtitled ‘It’s not all about cream!’  He spoke of the family farm at Scorrier and how the business evolved through the local influence of mining and mineral tramways, to turkeys and tourists, as well as new developments, expanding markets and Royal connections.

The time flew by and by the time everyone had chosen a selection from the tempting array of samples to take home and try, we had almost forgotten that tea and cakes were waiting for us – and that’s a first!!

Philip joined us for refreshments and by the time Richard had revealed the answers to the quiz, it was well past time to wend our way home.

Many thanks to Philip for a most informative and enjoyable afternoon and we look forward to opening again from 2pm – 4pm on Monday 3rd October and Monday 17^th October. Crantock Memory Cafe is open to anyone concerned  about memory loss and new members are always welcome. For more information ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347. 

Memory Cafe At Crantock Bale Push

We were delighted to be invited to take part once again in Crantock’s biggest charity event of the year on Friday 9^th September.

On a rather grey and windy evening a stalwart team of committee members set out a stall of over 60 brightly coloured mugs (it seemed appropriate for a cafe!) each filled with a selection of interesting goodies.

We invited those arriving to watch or participate in the bale-pushing competition to buy a ticket and hopefully win a mug, and it wasn’t long before the prizes were flying off the table!

We also had information and leaflets about the cafe and our range of activities available and we found many people interested in and happy to donate to our cause.

By 7pm all of our mugs had gone and as the crowds made their way towards the main event, we were able to clear up and join them.

Many thanks to the Bale Push organisers for allowing us to participate in this novel and successful event and we look forward to hearing how much they have raised this year for a range of deserving local charities.

September 2016

At our first cafe session in September we welcomed back ‘Cameo’, our musical friends from St Columb Minor who entertained us with a selection of ‘songs from the musicals’.

Everyone enjoyed the familiar melodies from ‘Oliver’, ‘Me and My Girl’ and ‘Oklahoma’ as well as a selection of songs from the 1940s. There were a couple of lovely solos besides three really amusing readings. Plenty of memories were stirred, and as usual there is nothing we like more than joining in with a chorus or two – even our ladies in the kitchen were dancing along to the ‘Lambeth Walk’!

Our theme for the afternoon was to continue thinking about compiling ‘memory boxes’ of our lives, and following on from last month’s talk of childhood, we moved on to the world of work. There was a word-search based on occupations, an A-Z of jobs to puzzle over and our table decorations included some interesting Cornish pottery figures illustrating different occupations which caused some interest and amusement.

After tea everyone enjoyed taking part in a trivia quiz on our working lives.  Having compared answers, we were able to metaphorically pat ourselves on the back for being so smart! This led into a discussion of our own working lives, and there was plenty to talk about! Saturday jobs, work in the home, interviews and career changes all came to light and everyone was encouraged to go home and see what artefacts, papers or photos we could find to remind us of these times and place in our own Memory Boxes.

Crantock Memory cafe is a great way to meet and make friends and to spend an interesting and entertaining afternoon. We look forward to opening again on Monday 19^th September and Monday 3rd October.  New members are always welcome and we are open to anyone concerned about memory loss, with their carers.  For more information ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.