October 2014

Song and dance was the order of the day at Crantock Memory Cafe this month, as members welcomed musical group ‘Cameo’ for an hour of music, dance, poetry and reminiscence. The ladies from St Columb Minor thoroughly entertained everyone with music from the First World War through to the 1950s and memory cafe members were soon singing along and tapping their feet! The girls provided us with a most enjoyable show – as far as we were all concerned, they were certainly the ‘Perfect Ladies’ which the name of their performance promised.

Following a delicious afternoon tea brought to us another group of ‘perfect ladies’ – our kitchen helpers, we were pleased to welcome Tracey Sillis, Care Support Worker from the Cornwall Carers Service, who was able to provide some useful information and advice for the carers in our group.

The afternoon concluded with some animated discussions stimulated by a number of interesting articles displayed in the room – a stone hot water bottle, a flat iron, old sewing and D-I-Y equipment and games from the 1940s and 1950s were amongst numerous items which sparked many memories and anecdotes and proved a source of much laughter and chatter – a great way to end an enjoyable afternoon!

A few weeks earlier, the organising committee set up an information stall at the Crantock Bale Push. Many people took time out of an exciting evening to come and talk to us and see the range of activities and resources that we freely offer to our members. Everyone seemed genuinely interested to learn about the problems and difficulties of living daily with memory loss and appreciated our aim to help by providing support and respite for sufferers and their carers. Following on from this, we were thrilled to receive a donation of £400 from the Bale Push Committee towards our running costs. As an independent organisation which receives minimal financial support compared to similar memory cafes in larger towns, we were very grateful for this and will be able continue to provide whatever practical help we can within the local community.

Our next meeting will be held in Crantock Village Hall from 2pm – 4pm on Monday 3^rd November and new members will be most welcome.