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. 

August 2016 Extra

Visitors arriving for our second cafe of the month, on a beautifully sunny afternoon, were delighted that we had been invited to pay a visit out to West Pentire. At the kind invitation of David and Brenda Eyles we journeyed down the road to see their lovely garden at ‘Arundell’, which they regularly open for the National Gardens Scheme.

David welcomed everyone and gave a brief introductory talk about the development of the garden over the years and then we were able to take a leisurely stroll around and explore the variety of ‘garden rooms’ and see the vast range of plants, with David on hand to answer queries and explain plantings in his usual affable way. For those unable to walk too far there were plenty of places to sit and admire the view, and it was an extra treat when Brenda and our regular kitchen team provided us all with a delicious afternoon tea, by which time everyone was ready for a rest and a chat!

 

A vote of thanks was given to David and Brenda for their hospitality and continued support and they were presented with an unusual orchid to add to their plant collection.

We know it’s been said before, but it certainly merits repeating that in Crantock and the surrounding area we are fortunate in having many individuals and groups with a wide range of interests, experiences and knowledge which they are generously happy to share with the Memory Cafe. Visitors to the cafe and our regular helpers really enjoy and appreciate the support we receive and we know that everyone benefits from the stimulation and pleasure that an afternoon at the cafe provides.

As usual, many thanks to all our helpers and volunteer drivers for an interesting afternoon and we look forward to opening our doors again on Monday 5th September and Monday 19^th September 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.