September 2017 Extra

Our second Memory Cafe of the month took place on Monday 18^th September and as usual, a good number of visitors arrived and were either chatting or having a go a word-search or a quiz based around this week’s ‘Sparkle’ magazine which we distribute to all of our members, courtesy of generous sponsorship from ‘The Bowgie’ at West Pentire.

Whilst we know everyone always enjoys these familiar games, we are keen to explore new ideas and activities, and today was no exception! Richard introduced us to Trevor Hawkins, artist and teacher, who soon engaged everyone’s attention as he spoke of the enjoyment and creativity of modelling with clay. Basic modelling tools were distributed around the tables and Trevor explained that we could all ‘have a go’ using modroc – a special clay which hardens without the need to fire it in a kiln.

After some brief tuition on building with clay and fixing components together it was ‘all systems go’ as we got stuck in! Trevor showed us some examples of what could be achieved and was on hand to give advice where needed, and very soon our creative juices were working overtime as an amazing mixture of fruit, trees, mushrooms, items of clothing and pots, not to mention a menagerie of animals, birds and sea creatures began to appear on the tables.  Memories of playing with plasticine in the classroom were revived, and there was chat about using ‘playdough’ with our children and grandchildren.

At the end of a very enjoyable hour we all had works of art to take home with us and after quickly wiping down the tables and giving our hands a scrub we were ready for the tea and cakes brought around by our refreshments team.  Thanks and applause were given to Trevor before we moved into the final part of the afternoon with a game of Musical Bingo – always a popular activity, especially with the added bonus of a chocolate for anyone completing a line!

Richard then gave us the answers to the quiz we had tackled earlier, before it was time to pack away at the end of a most enjoyable Memory Cafe.

Our next Memory Cafe meeting takes place on Monday 2^nd October at Crantock Village Hall from 2pm. New members with their carers are always welcome and should you need further information please ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.

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.