September 2017

After our expedition to Crantock Church to see the wonderful Flower Festival last month, for our first cafe of September we were back in the familiar surroundings of the Village Hall.  Visitors were greeted by a ‘word-search’ based on apples and sausages, and the room was soon buzzing with friendly chatter as the tables filled up – but what was the theme for the afternoon?

All was revealed when we were introduced to our guest speaker, Robert Bond from Perranporth, whose topic was ‘Anecdotes from a Working Life’.  Robert was looking very dapper with his white shirt and bow tie, and he was soon amusing us with the story of how he acquired his distinctive jacket. Moving on we learned that he was brought up on his family’s farm in Somerset, where dairy farming was supplemented by cider-making, and he had many stories to tell about the strange powers over those who visited his father’s cider shed! On leaving home, Robert worked in the offices of a well-known sausage and pork pie maker before moving on to the motor trade , and then into the media where he worked for the BBC in radio and television. Currently Robert is a speech-writer for an MP at Westminster and a popular after-dinner speaker. He was a most entertaining and amusing speaker, and with tea-time fast approaching he still had many more tales to tell on what will hopefully be a return visit.

At teatime it was back to those sausages and apples, with time to sample some apple juice and test our taste buds with five different flavoured sausages which our faithful catering team had been busy cooking in the kitchen!  There was also, of course, a cup of tea and the usual delicious selection of refreshments – this time, of course, including sausage rolls, Jane’s apple cake and some bite-sized apple pies – what a feast! There was also the opportunity to look at a display based around sausages and sausage making, and apples and cider making. A range of very tempting apples were on show thanks to a selection kindly donated by Morrisons and there was a chance to have a taste and compare different varieties.

After tea, there was time to do a crossword based on ‘occupations’ and ‘conversation boards’ were distributed around the tables. These displayed a fascinating selection of photographs illustrating occupations and questions to stimulate thoughts about our own working lives: Did you have a ‘dream job’ to which you aspired as a child?  What was your first experience of the world of work?  Did you have a holiday or Saturday job?

There were also boards showing photographs of job-related TV shows to identify from across the decades, ranging from ‘Dr Finlay’s Casebook’ to the ‘Are You Being Served’ – not as easy as it seems!

It was a busy and interesting afternoon and thanks were given to Robert for his most interesting talk which stimulated a most entertaining Memory Cafe for us all!  

Thanks to the generous sponsorship from ‘The Bowgie’ at West Pentire, copies of ‘Sparkle’ magazine were distributed to give everyone something to read, and puzzles to do at home, before our next meeting on Monday 18^th September from 2pm at Crantock Village Hall.   

August 2017 Extra

Memory Cafe friends and helpers were ‘out and about’ for their August mid-month meeting.  We were fortunate to have chosen a beautifully warm and sunny afternoon to pay a visit to Crantock Church Flower Festival, which this year was entitled ‘Curtain Up’. The church was a feast for the eyes and noses, full of thirty wonderful arrangements, each one based on the title of a well-known theatrical or musical production.  There was much to admire – both in the highly creative floral displays and the setting of the lovely church itself. 

For many Memory Cafe members it was either a first time visit or perhaps a return to the church after a number of years.  Some had a go at the quiz based around the titles of the displays, whilst others were happy just to enjoy the sights and scents, and perhaps spend time sitting outside in the sunshine.

After a pleasant hour we strolled around the corner for a delicious cream tea at the Cosy Nook Tea Garden, where there was plenty of time for a chat and a laugh.

Thanks must go to Sue Dennett and members of Crantock Church, the staff of the Cosy Nook for a most enjoyable afternoon, and also to Kathleen at 'The Cornishman' for allowing us to use their car parking facilities, which made access for our visit so much easier.

The next Memory Cafe meetings will on Monday 4^th September and Monday 18^th September at Crantock Village Hall from 2pm. Should you need further information please ring Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347.

August 2017

The cafe opened again on Monday 7^th August – the year seems to be rushing by so fast, and it’s surprising to think back on the range of activities and entertainment we’ve experienced since January!

This month we welcomed husband and wife John and Gret Woodason, who talked to us about the Newquay University of the Third Age or ‘U3A’ as it’s usually known.  To get us ‘in the groove’ cafe visitors were given a U3A-based wordsearch to puzzle over, and a display of some of the many U3A activities to have a look at.

Gret and John then gave us a most interesting illustrated talk explaining the role of the organisation in providing leisure, social and learning opportunities for the retired and semi-retired in our community. Everyone was surprised by the range of activities on offer, many of which could be enjoyed by cafe members and their families – walking, reading, dancing, antiques, languages and table-tennis to name just a few! There was even a chance to sample the ‘singing for fun’ activity as Gret and John led us in a lively rendition of ‘There’s a Hole in my Bucket’!  The talk was illustrated by some beautiful shots taken by the ‘Photography Group’ as well as interesting information about the formation and aims of the U3A to ‘learn, laugh and live’ as their slogan puts it. Leaflets about the U3A were available for our visitors to take away and there was plenty of time to ask questions and chat about opportunities on offer and it certainly gave everyone food for thought!

Before tea there was just time to have a go at a couple of word puzzles – one based around the word ‘Dancers’ and another which gave us a line from a well-known song and then challenged us to remember the words which came next – not as easy as you might think, but much easier if you sang the words rather than spoke them – yet another opportunity for a laugh!

After a delicious tea with a wonderful selection of homemade savouries, cakes and biscuits ‘Memories Packs’ were distributed around the tables. These contained all manner of interesting items from the past including newspapers, vintage greetings cards, adverts, postage stamps, knitting patterns, photos and more.  Much conversation and interest was generated by these fascinating items and there was a chance to move between the tables to have a look at different selections.  It was a most enjoyable activity which sent everyone home with plenty to talk and think about until our next Memory Cafe Extra meeting at 2pm on Monday 21^st August at Crantock Village Hall. Should you need further information please ring Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347.