August 2016

Every month at the Memory Cafe we are delighted to welcome a wide range of visitors who entertain everyone or share their interest and knowledge on a wide range of topics, encouraging friendly chatter and evoking memories from us all.

For our August cafe, however, the tables were turns and cafe members found themselves to be the main topic of interest and conversation. A word-search entitled ‘That’s Life’ was the first clue, and this was followed by a TV theme which was familiar to some of us: ‘This is Your Life’. Eamonn Andrews didn’t appear from behind a curtain to surprise us with his red book, but instead we began a music-led ‘tour’ of the various stages of our lives. For example, family and childhood were introduced by ‘My Brother’ by Terry Scott and ‘Three Little Maids from School’ from Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado’, whilst friends, past and present were encapsulated in ‘Friends and Neighbours’ sung by Billy Cotton.  Words to some of the songs were provided and everyone did a good job of singing along with the choruses!  Time was given for everyone to chat about their recollections of these years and, as usual, memories were not in short supply – so much so that we didn’t get as far as our working lives, wartime experiences, children and grandchildren, special events and much more! Never mind – we’ll save them for another time.

A mid-way break in a busy afternoon enabled everyone to ‘refuel’ with cakes and tea and to get to know several new visitors who we were delighted to welcome to the Memory Cafe.  Despite the dreadful wet weather, the cafe was very busy and our wonderful kitchen helpers were kept on their toes!

Over the time that the cafe has been running (nearly three years now) we have found that despite their initial concerns, our visitors do have many memories to share about different aspects of their lives. Our ‘This is Your Life’ theme culminated in the introduction of ‘Memory Boxes’ for everyone to take away, in which they can gather together photos, papers and objects which remind them of their lives, both for their own benefit and for them to share with friends and family. In addition to the boxes, members were given a blank ‘My Life Story’ book to work through at home which covers many aspects of our lives over the years, including favourite foods, TV programmes, music etc.

As usual, thanks to all of our organisers and supporters and we look forward to seeing everyone again at our next meetings which will be held on Monday 15^th August, Monday 5^th September and Monday 19^th September. 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. 

July 2016 Extra

The summer seems to be passing us fast – on Monday 17^th we held our July Memory Cafe Extra and as usual a happy band of guests joined us for an interesting afternoon!

We began by having a look at ‘Sparkle’ magazine: This is a weekly publication which provides day-to-day recollections of events, personalities, song lyrics and quizzes relating to years gone by.

A wordsearch and crossword puzzle were provided to encourage everyone to have a good look through the magazine. Birthdays that week included Richard Branson (born 1950) and Nicola Sturgeon (born 1970) whilst the ‘events’ section reminded us of the attempted assassination of Hitler (20^th July 1944) and the resignation of Sir Alec Douglas-Home (22^nd July 1965). In the ‘way we were’ columns we were reminded of buying sweets in the 1950s, childhood pets and school reports.  There was plenty of laughter and chatter and we rounded the session off with a chorus of ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’.

After tea, there was another opportunity to remember times past: each table was given a box of items and everyone was encouraged to have a good look and choose something which interested them or brought back memories. There was quite a selection in each box – old keys and coins, a horse brass, blackboard rubber and chalk, thimbles, a compass, a bag of confetti and many more. There was so much to look at and talk about we could have gone on for hours, but as usual time caught up with us, and everyone was encouraged to take the ‘Sparkle’ magazines home with them to peruse further in their own time.

As usual, many thanks to all our organizers and helpers for an interesting afternoon and we look forward to opening our doors again on Monday 1^st August and Monday 15^th August from 2pm – 4pm at Crantock Village Hall. 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. 

July 2016

Our cafe usually begins with some word-based puzzles which link in with something topical or the theme for the afternoon. This month our guests were greeted by word searches based on the actual day of the ‘Fourth of July’ with the focus on the American celebrations and another on ‘Musical Instruments’.

Di welcomed a packed room full of visitors and introduced Malcolm and Angela - a husband and wife singing duo from Newquay who entertained everyone with a medley of popular songs with solos by Angela accompanied by Malcolm on the harmonica. In between songs Malcolm entertained us with a series of amusing anecdotes and jokes. The performance was greatly enjoyed by all who were able to join in with many of the better known songs.

After the usual refreshments of tea and delicious homemade cakes with time for a chat with friends, Di presented a quiz based on naming musical instruments beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Whilst many were fairly easy (accordion, bassoon, cello etc.) some were extremely challenging .... did you know for q there is an instrument called a qanun (an Arabian zither)?  Everyone did very well with much creative thinking and a good time was had by all, judging from the laughter! 

We are now looking forward to our next meetings which will be held on Monday 18^th July, Monday 1^st August and Monday 15^th August. 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.