July 2017

At the Memory Cafe there’s always plenty of time to chat and get to know each other. Over the months, we’ve learnt a little of each others’ hobbies and interests, and so it seemed a good idea to spend an afternoon sharing thoughts of our own collections, enthusiasms and knowledge.

After settling in with a ‘hobbies’ wordsearch, visitors had a first opportunity to have a look at displays of books and artefacts set up around the hall. Visitors and volunteers had been invited to bring along some of their own memorabilia and collections, and the range of interests displayed was fascinating and wide-ranging. 

We had a collection of old needlework artefacts including wooden cotton reels, thimbles, darning ‘mushrooms’ and a button tin, some beautifully crafted boxes, one made by a prisoner of war in 1918, a collection of ornamental frogs, some colourful handmade patchwork, a sketchbook belonging to a budding artist, a collection of early coins, some handmade lace and lace-making tools and much more!  A different aspect of collecting was presented in a mixed tray of unusual ‘bits and pieces’ accumulated over the years, which led to much puzzling and discussion about ‘what was this for?’

‘Conversation boards’ encouraged everyone to chat about hobbies past and present, and perhaps plans for the future, and included music and entertainment, sport – as a participant or spectator, DIY, arts and crafts, reading and specific collections. Talking about hobbies and interests stimulated many happy memories and often led to conversations about other aspects of our past lives.

After a break for tea, there was a further opportunity to stroll around and explore each others’ passions, and perhaps find out where a hobby or interest began! It was a fascinating afternoon for us all, and we rounded the cafe off with a hearty ‘sing-along’ of old favourites.

The next meetings of Crantock Memory Cafe will be held on Monday 17^th July and Monday 7^th August. We meet in Crantock Village Hall from 2pm to 4pm on the first and third Mondays of each month and should you need further information please ring Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347.

June 2017 Extra

Crantock Memory Cafe opened its doors for our mid-month get together on the 19^th June with the opportunity for a chat, or a wordsearch on our ‘Cornish Heritage’ for those who preferred to put their ‘thinking caps’ on! Richard then introduced Len Sheppard from the Newquay Old Cornwall Society who had come along with his trusty laptop and projector to give us an illustrated talk on local history. This was Len’s second visit to the Memory Cafe and we were delighted to welcome him back.

This time Len took as his theme ‘Shipping and Wrecks’ focussing on Newquay’s development and subsequent importance as a port within the national scene during the nineteenth century. In a coastal area like ours, this topic is a rich vein for stories and information, and Len held everyone’s attention until afternoon tea arrived.

For the latter part of the afternoon we were introduced to some new visitors – vocal group ‘The Trembellows’. This group is made up of people affected by Parkinson’s who, despite their progressive neurological condition, enthusiastically entertained us with a lively selection of sea shanties and familiar songs, and soon had us tapping our feet, clapping and singing along.

The Trembellows discovered that singing improves swallowing, the pitch and volume of the voice, and importantly it provides companionship and great fun, and as the audience we could testify to that! We hope that they will come back to entertain us again in the near future.

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 3^rd July and Monday 17^th July from 2pm – 4pm.

June 2017

There’s no better way to relax and lift the spirits than by listening to or singing along with familiar music! With this in mind, our first June cafe welcomed guests with an ‘All kinds of Music’ wordsearch and some musical tongue twisters to have a go at. Despite the wet afternoon, the cafe was bright and cheerful with floral table decorations displayed on old records to suit the musical theme.

When everyone had settled in and caught up with friends and local news, David introduced a ‘Musical Tale’ in which a story was told, with missing words replaced by the titles of well-known songs. Careful listening to the recordings revealed the answers – sounds complicated, but it was good fun and provided a lot of laughs!

As thoughts of tea approached, we used an inflatable musical memory quiz ball to give us a challenge, and then sung a couple of two-part rounds – quite successfully! Finally, ‘conversation boards’ with pictures based on Hollywood musicals, well-known singers through the years and even vintage Eurovision songs were passed around, reviving memories of music and associated events from years gone by.

We were all glad of some tea and cakes, and whilst we were indulging, we were joined once again by the ladies from ‘Cameo’ ready to entertain us all for the second part of the afternoon. Their musical theme was ‘summer holidays’ and beautifully dressed in floral summer outfits they brought a smile to everyone’s face as they sang and danced through a range of well-known songs from past decades, interspersed with amusing recitations.

Crantock Memory Cafe is free and open to all who have some degree of memory loss, with their carers. We aim to provide a friendly and sociable afternoon exploring a range of memorable events and topics and have a variety of activities to promote conversation and laughter! We meet at Crantock Village Hall on the first and third Mondays of each month and should you need further information ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347. Our next cafes will be held on Monday 19^th June and Monday 3rd July.