June 2019 extra

The theme for our second cafe in June was ‘Poetry’. The meeting was generously supported by Literature Works, an organisation based at Plymouth University, as part of a project called National Memory Day.

On arrival guests undertook a word-search containing the names of well-known poets. Then our speaker, Anne Taylor, gave a fascinating reading of a variety of poems, many familiar such as those by Rupert Brooke, Shakespeare and even the Bible (1 Corinthians Ch. 13).  She also read some more contemporary works e.g. Philip Larkin’s provocative poem about parenthood and W H Auden’s sad poem about time (Stop all the Clocks) which featured in the film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’.

After her reading Anne led a discussion about what poetry meant to our guests. Responses included inspiring, moving, emotional, melancholic, amusing and awakening memories.  Then she persuaded our Chair, Joan, to recite one of her favourites, ‘The Traveller’ by Walter De La Mare.

After tea we played a new Music Bingo game which went down very well as did the chocolates given as prizes!

The next meeting of the Crantock Memory Café will be on Monday July 1^st at 2 pm.

June 2019

Last month’s cafe based around our memories of radio programmes from the past was so well received that it was decided to follow on this month with a theme of ‘The World of Television’. As visitors arrived they were able to take a first look at an extensive display of television programmes from across the decades or to tackle an appropriately themed word-search.

However, before we settled down to thinking about our own favourite programmes, David welcomed our friends ‘Cameo’ from St Columb Minor who had come along to amuse and entertain us with their latest selections of words and music. Dressed in cheery matching sunshine yellow outfits, the girls quickly had everyone smiling with their selection of well-known songs from earlier decades.  Soon we were all clapping and singing along and some even joined in with the dancing!  As usual there were some amusing poems to listen to and a couple of beautiful solo pieces.

Tea-time gave everyone time for a chat as we enjoyed our usual ‘cuppa and cakes’. There was also time for a closer look at our display, which was full of photos and books illustrating a wide range of television programmes past and present, along with thought-provoking questions about comedies, dramas, documentaries, ‘soaps’ and much more.

Some fascinating ‘behind the scenes’ photos gave us an insight into the technical side of TV, thanks to our friend Jean, whose late husband John was for many years a BBC cameraman, working on numerous outside broadcasts of sporting events and state occasions. Jean told us a little of her husband’s career and gave us a taste of some of the well-known productions on which he had worked from dramas such as ‘The Pallisers’ to documentaries about Concorde and filming Winston Churchill’s funeral.

Following tea everyone settled down to a ‘Television Quiz’, after which answers were revealed – with the aid of a little teamwork – it was amazing what we were able to recall and gave us all food for thought about the role TV programmes have played in our lives over the years.

A new idea at the cafe has been to ask our guests if they have any favourite songs or pieces of music which we can play at some time during the afternoon. Today we were able to squeeze in a couple of items - ‘Three Little Maids from School’ was the choice of one of our visitors, whilst for another two we played ‘Baby Love’ by the Supremes!

Thanks were given to ‘Cameo’ before it was time to head for home once again with plenty to think and talk about before our next café on June 17^th at Crantock Village Hall.

New members, who have a degree of memory loss, are always welcome to come along with their carers, and should you require more information please contact Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.

May 2019 extra

It was a warm and sunny afternoon when our Memory Cafe opened its doors again for our mid-May meeting.  Guests arrived to find tables prepared with a word puzzle and a quiz, which are always popular, as well as the latest edition of ‘Sparkle’ magazine to peruse.  There was plenty of chatter, and sounds from the kitchen told us that the ‘refreshments team’ were already preparing afternoon tea for later!

Before that we had an interesting activity to enjoy.  Richard introduced Yvonne and Geoff who had come along to entertain us with their ‘story-telling’ skills. The friends, who belong to a story-telling club in Liskeard, took turns to engage us with a selection of interesting and amusing tales, some based around Cornish mines and mining whilst others were humorous ‘cautionary tales’ which had everyone laughing!  We were encouraged to become involved in the stories and the concentration was such that you could ‘hear a pin drop’ - most unusual at our cafe!

It was certainly a new experience for the Memory Cafe and a most enjoyable one.  We were delighted that Yvonne and Geoff were able to join us for tea and that they had time to chat with some of our members.

We were soon tucking into the usual delicious selection of sweet and savoury refreshments and as cups and plate were cleared away, Joan and Richard organised a game of ‘musical Bingo’ which is always popular and gives everyone a chance to exercise their vocal chords and show off their musical knowledge! With chocolates distributed as prizes no wonder we were all keen to join in!

As the cafe drew to a close Richard thanked our guests for an interesting and entertaining afternoon and revealed the answers to the quiz before we all set off back out into the sunshine.

We will be meeting again on Monday 3rd June and Monday 17th June at Crantock Village Hall. Anyone, who has a degree of memory loss, is welcome to come along with their carers, and should you require more information please contact Di on 01637 830544, or Joan on 01637 831347.