June 2014

For our meeting on 2nd June we organised an outing for 20 guests, carers and volunteers to Arundell garden at West Pentire, where David and Brenda Eyles gave us a warm welcome. We were joined by Cllr. Lisa Shuttlewood for a tour of the garden where David gave a vivid account of its creation over 40 years. Thanks to his vision, energy and commitment he has created a tropical mini paradise in a most unpromising situation. In a headland location salt laden gales can destroy vulnerable plants but, by creating effective wind breaks with bamboo and other plants, David has created a wonderland of sheltered meandering paths, themed displays as well as finding space for ponds, waterfalls and a vegetable plot.

After the tour the party adjourned to the conservatory for tea, splits and cream and cakes and biscuits organised by Brenda and our volunteers. We thanked David and Brenda for a wonderful afternoon and also for arranging for the morning’s rain to stop just in time for our visit.

May 2014

Crantock Memory Cafe volunteers are always looking to widen their range of activities and topics in the hope of finding something to amuse and interest all those who come along. With this in mind the May meeting took the theme of ‘sport and exercise’. As usual the scene was set with puzzles and pictures on the tables, and our guests settled in with a cup of tea and a chat. A sports quiz, with multiple choice answers, then got everyone thinking and we were certainly impressed with the group’s knowledge of sports personalities and achievements through the years.

A ‘toss and talk’ ball game then tested our physical and mental ability, as we threw and caught (sometimes!) a large inflatable ball which was covered in topics and leading questions. Whoever held the ball when the music stopped read out the words under their thumbs which gave us a starting-point for thought and discussions. ‘Where was your first home?’, ‘What’s your favourite television programme?’ ‘Do you prefer cats or dogs?’ – just some of the questions which led to lively conversations and an amusing game!

Of course, after such exertion we were all ready for tea and cake, which magically appeared from the kitchen thanks to our able ‘catering team’.

Refreshments over, we welcomed Godfrey Ross who led us through a session of gentle exercises to help us keep our bodies flexible and active.  Godfrey was keen to emphasise that we must stop if our bodies told us we’d had had enough but we think and hope he was impressed with everybody’s willingness to ‘have a go!’

It was a very active afternoon, and when we all went home at 4pm it seemed likely that most of us were going to put our feet up for a late afternoon siesta – and that’s just the volunteers!

A few of our ‘regulars’ were missing this month through sickness and we do hope to see them again at our next session on Monday 2^nd June from 2pm–4pm at Crantock Village Hall. We were, however, very pleased to welcome five new members and we look forward to seeing them again next month, when we promise a less strenuous afternoon!

The Memory Cafe meets on the first Monday of each month and is free for anyone with memory loss and their carers, although donations are welcomed towards our expenses.

April 2014

Our April meeting in the Village Hall at Crantock was the usual friendly, social gathering we have come to expect.  Although based in Crantock, our aim has always been to support those suffering from memory loss who live further afield, as well as in the village, and we have been delighted how far the news has spread since we opened for the first time in January.

Our usual selection of games, puzzles and ‘memory joggers’ to stimulate conversation were on offer, as well as a soothing hand massage!  After a delicious selection of home-made cakes and a cup of tea we played an amusing game of bingo based around bird names with winners rewarded with small, but delicious Easter eggs!

We were very pleased to welcome Lisa Shuttlewood, our local County Councillor. This was her second visit to us, as she had attended our opening session in January, and she has been actively supportive of our group ever since.  Lisa presented a projector to the Memory Cafe which was purchased with funds from her Cornwall Councillor’s Community Grant and this enabled us to then watch a short video about 1960’s domestic life.

If you, or anyone you know, are thinking of joining us for next month’s Memory Cafe please note that due to the May Bank Holiday we will be meeting one week later on Monday 12^th May from 2pm to 4pm in Crantock Village Hall.  A warm and friendly welcome awaits you, and we are free to all those suffering from a degree of memory loss and their carers.

If you would like further information please ring Joan on 01637 831347 or Di on 01637 830544.