It
was ‘back to school’ at the first of our October memory cafes! Visitors arrived to find a ‘schooldays’
wordsearch and ‘playground’ word grid, plus a first chance to have a look at a
fascinating display which took them back to many aspects of school life. Items on show included a lift-top desk
(complete with inkwell and dip pen), blackboard and easel with chalks and board
rubber, a satchel, exercise books, early readers, school reports and photos and
much more. As the theme had been
announced at our previous cafe there were also items brought in by our helpers
and guests – a number of school photographs of some very demure and innocent
boys and girls it was hard to identify, as well as a revealing page from the
‘punishment book’ of a local school in the early 1900s!
Before
we fully explored our theme, David rang the school bell to get everyone’s
attention and was delighted to welcome The ‘Imerys Songsters’ from the St
Austell area. This talented group of ladies entertained us with a selection of
songs from musicals with which we were familiar - ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Mary
Poppins’, ‘The Lion King’,‘Chess’ and many more, as well as some evergreen
‘standards’. They soon had us clapping and singing along and interspersed their
items with some amusing Cornish poems by David Prowse.
We
knew teatime was approaching when the tea trolley was heard rattling down the
corridor and, as usual, everyone tucked in to a delicious selection of
savouries, cakes and jam and cream scones with a welcome cup of tea.
David
then introduced our ‘schooldays’ theme by reading ‘The Teacher’, a poem by the
well-known retired school inspector Gervase Phinn. We all had a chuckle before
there was time to have a closer look and handle items on our display.
Of course,
memories of everyone’s school experiences came flooding back and many stories
of school life were exchanged. There was the opportunity to sit at the school
desk and write with a dip pen and ink, whilst one of our guests recalled
learning to write on a slate. We talked of school uniforms, favourite subjects
and teachers, and compared school life today with that of half a century ago –
this was very thought-provoking!
As
the afternoon drew to a close thanks were given to everyone who contributed to
a lively and stimulating afternoon and we set off for home, not with homework,
but with much to think about!
We
look forward to meeting up again on Monday 21st October at Crantock
Village Hall from 2pm – 4pm. New members with their carers are always welcome,
and should you require further information please contact Di on 01637 830544,
David on 01637 830617 or visit our website at crantockmemorycafe.org.uk
