Visitors
to this month’s Memory Cafe Extra on June 20th entered the realm of
espionage and the ‘Cold War’.
A
word-search based on ‘Spies and Detectives’ led on to a fascinating illustrated
talk by Brook Blackford, a local resident and Parish Councillor. Brook was an
RAF pilot for thirty years, reaching the rank of Wing Commander before being
seconded to the British Embassy from where, after a tough ‘crash course’ in
Russian he spent seven years working behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ ostensibly as an
interpreter and liaison officer but in fact as an information gatherer or
spying on Russian planes, tanks and equipment. He gave us a revealing insight
into his experiences in a world of secrecy and suspicion, which included guns,
prohibited areas and secret photographs, Russian soldiers, East German secret
police and borders guards.
During
the 1970s and 1980s Brook and his wife Salli spent time in Prague and Berlin where
they saw the poverty and dereliction behind the Berlin Wall and the changes
which occurred when the wall finally came down which also saw the end of
Brook’s work in Europe. Richard showed
everyone a small piece of the Berlin Wall, and we looked at contemporary photos
of its construction, its effect on the lives of Berliners and its final
destruction in 1989.
After
a brief sing-along session of familiar songs, we tackled some code-breaking
exercises of our own which proved quite challenging but were met with
considerable success!
It
was a most thought-provoking and varied afternoon and our thanks go to Brook
for sharing with us his first-hand experiences of some key moments in twentieth
century history.
Our
next meetings will be held on Monday 4th July and Monday 18th
July from 2pm – 4pm at Crantock Village Hall. New members are always welcome
and we are open to anyone concerned about memory loss, with their carers. For more information ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.
