September 2019 Extra

Some of our volunteers had a busy time in between our two September cafes!  The main and much anticipated event of this month in Crantock is always the ‘Bale Push’ when hundreds of people descend on the village to watch teams of 4 push huge round bales of hay around the village at break-neck speed.  As usual, the Memory Cafe was given a table to promote our twice-monthly gatherings and in addition to talking to interested visitors and locals about the cafe we were able to raise some funds by running a ‘lucky dip’ for passing children!

It was a great evening, and at our cafe on the following Monday we were delighted to welcome a new visitor who had learnt about us at the Bale Push.

At our mid-month cafe we welcomed back Adrian Davis and his guitar, who provided a selection of well-known songs which we sang along to and accompanied on our selection of percussion instruments.

As usual there were copies of our Bowgie-sponsored ‘Sparkle’ reminiscence magazine to browse, and an accompanying quiz devised by Richard. Today’s wordsearch had an autumnal theme and a new challenge for those of us with a more mathematically-orientated brain was a sudoku puzzle to tackle.

With delicious refreshments to enjoy mid-afternoon it was the usual friendly and entertaining session and soon it was time for Richard to solve the mysteries of the quiz before we packed away with many thanks given to our visiting troubadour!

We meet up again on 7^th and 21^st October at Crantock Village Hall from 2pm – 4pm. New members with their carers are always welcome, and should you require further information please contact Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347 or visit our website at crantockmemorycafe.org.uk

September 2019

We always aim to give our visitors some special moments during the afternoon, but this month we went one stage further and gave them some ‘magic moments’!  This was the theme of the afternoon’s word-search puzzle, and our table ‘brain teasers’ also included a quiz based around famous magicians and the world of magic!

Our display was themed around ‘The Magic of Books’ and included autograph books, a miniature bible, scrapbooks, recipe books and books given as prizes for school work and success at an Eisteddfod, as well as favourite or special books brought along by our guests and helpers. As usual the display stimulated much interest and discussion and formed a talking point throughout the rest of the afternoon.  A book-based quiz which included exploring the display meant that everyone had time for a really close look.

A recording of Perry Como singing ‘Magic Moments’ then set the scene as David introduced us to our guest entertainer, magician ‘Xander Cards’ who circulated around the tables amusing and confusing everyone with his magical close-up card tricks. Everyone was fascinated by Xander’s amazing feats using just a pack of playing cards.  Although he was only inches away it was impossible to tell how he managed to name a card selected by a memory cafe member, or to produce from his wallet a card which one of us had just slipped into a pack on the table. Further tricks using a Rubik’s Cube took our breath away!

Before we knew it, teatime had arrived and as usual everyone tucked in. There was chance for all to chat about Xander’s mysterious tricks and how on earth he did them – it had to be magic!!

After tea our guest provided further entertainment and amazement as he presented more tricks to the entire room and had us all in rapt attention.

Finally David gave out the answers to the quizzes - everyone proved to be very knowledgeable about book titles and authors, and had obviously thoroughly enjoyed perusing the books on display which brought back many memories.

Many thanks were given to Xander for a very different and entertaining afternoon and we left for home determined to search for a pack of cards and have a go for ourselves!  We will report back about our success, or otherwise, when we meet again on 16^th September at Crantock Village Hall from 2pm – 4pm. New members are always welcome, and should you require further information please contact Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347 or visit our website at crantockmemorycafe.org.uk

August 2019 Extra

As ever, a good number of friends joined us for our mid-August café.  Everyone settled in for a chat, and there was a chance to have a look at the latest edition of our Bowgie-sponsored ‘Sparkle’ magazine and perhaps tackle the associated quiz or a word-search, which is always popular.

Richard then introduced Michaela Smith, a new face at the Crantock cafe, who had brought along her guitar to entertain us.  She soon struck a chord with our guests and with her clear and tuneful voice, a selection of percussion instruments and some familiar songs we soon found ourselves singing along, tapping rhythms and doing the actions when required.  We also discovered some previously unknown talents amongst our guests – some great whistlers came to the fore, as did those who could do an excellent imitation of a flock of clucking hens!  Some lively renditions of songs from the musicals and spirituals were much enjoyed and Michaela’s beautiful performance of ‘Over the Rainbow’ brought her delightful programme to a close.

As refreshment time approached everyone looked forward to tea and cakes and, as ever, we weren’t disappointed.  We’re always grateful to our supporters in the village who regularly supply us with delicious home-made cakes and biscuits, and to our kitchen helpers who make the tea and coffee and wash the dishes -  always with smiles on their faces!

After tea, things became a bit fishy as it was ‘eyes down’ for a game of ‘Ocean Bingo’.  This was a new version of the ever-popular game and proved a great success – we also learnt a lot about creatures to be found under the sea, as well as accumulating a selection of chocolates won by completing ‘a line’!

Everyone enjoyed a varied and entertaining afternoon and after Richard enlightened us with the answers to the quiz it was then time to bring the afternoon to a close.

Our next meeting takes place on Monday 2nd September from 2pm – 4pm at Crantock Village Hall. New members, with their carers, are always welcome, and should you require further information please contact Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347 or visit our website at crantockmemorycafe.org.uk.

x