Visitors
to Crantock Memory Cafe come from all walks of life and bring with them a wide
range of interests and experiences. Consequently, in addition to providing a
relaxing social afternoon with refreshments, we aim to provide a variety of
amusing entertainments and interesting speakers who will relate to and engage
our guests.
For
our mid-April gathering we were delighted to welcome local resident Alastair
Ross, retired Rear Admiral, whose memories and anecdotes of 35 years in the
Royal Navy fascinated and amused us all, regardless of our varied personal
backgrounds!
Alastair’s
talk took the form of a selection of ‘snapshots’ of his naval career and ranged
from his initial training at Dartmouth in 1965 through to his involvement in
the Torrey Canyon disaster of 1967, the ‘Cod Wars’ with Iceland in 1976,
voyages around the world as captain of HMS Falmouth (crossing the Equator no
less than four times) rescuing refugees from South Vietnam as captain of HMS
Edinburgh in 1988 and commanding a squadron of ships from eight different
nations as part of ‘Operation Sharp Guard’ blockading Serbia in 1994.
The
talk was both riveting and awe-inspiring, and was amply illustrated by numerous
scrap-books of the exploits and expeditions in which Alastair has been involved
in his naval career. Paintings and photographs of the ships on which he has
served also brought the talk to life, and belied the modesty with which he told
his story.
Thanks
and warm applause were given to Alastair and his wife Judy for the time and
effort they had given to presenting us with such an interesting afternoon.
Whilst
we enjoyed our refreshments, there was time to chat, have a closer look at the
scrap-books, or have a go at a maritime-themed wordsearch or a rather
challenging quiz that Richard had devised.
Copies
of our regular ‘Sparkle’ magazine were distributed and the afternoon concluded
with an amusing variation of the game of ‘pictionary’ which gave the artists
among us a chance to shine!
Crantock
Memory Cafe is always pleased to welcome new members, with their carers, and should
you need further information ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.
Our next meetings will be held at Crantock Village Hall on Monday 8th
May and Monday 22nd May from 2pm – 4pm.
