Our
April Memory Cafe had a truly local flavour. First we welcomed Jane Fielden
(nee Northey) who, supported by other members of her family, talked about the
Gannel, Crantock Beach and the Fern Pit Cafe and Ferry which have been in the
ownership of her family since 1910. Jane now lives ‘across the water’ in
Newquay, but her family roots are entrenched in Crantock and she had many
fascinating tales to tell. Her father,
George Northey, was a well-known and respected man who ran the ferry across the
Gannel for many years, and was also involved with early gig racing, the Newquay
Regatta and numerous other Gannel-related events – he was even the first
official lifeguard for Crantock beach!
With
the aid of film, photographs, paintings and postcards, Jane painted a wonderful
picture of activities in and around Crantock and its beach and river over the
years. Jane spoke with great affection of her own childhood and memories of
growing up on and around Crantock Beach and, in doing so, she stimulated
recollections of our own childhood and memories of summer holidays.
Our
cafe tables, decorated with sandcastles, shells and other ‘finds’ from Crantock
Beach, were soon laden with tea and cakes as visitors chatted about their own
seaside memories, or had a go at our beach-related puzzles.
For
the second half of the afternoon we welcomed back ‘Fiddle me Timbers’ Crantock’s
very own shanty singers who, despite an increasingly busy schedule of
performances, found time to join us for an entertaining and foot-tapping
session. The singing was a great way to end the afternoon and we all enjoyed
joining in the choruses and appreciated the adaptation of songs to include
Crantock and Fern Pit!
It
was a busy but very enjoyable afternoon, and even without the addition of
‘honorary members’ from the Northey family and Fiddle me Timbers, it was one of
our largest memory cafes ever! Nevertheless our faithful cake-bakers had
provided enough goodies to feed everyone, and our ‘refreshment team’ provided
ample cups of tea and coffee – many thanks to them all.
Crantock
Memory Cafe is open to anyone in the local area concerned about memory loss.
Our next meetings will be held at Crantock Village Hall on Monday 24th
April and Monday 8th May from 2pm – 4pm. We are always pleased to
welcome new members, with their carers, and should you need further information
ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.
