April 2019 Extra

Having cleaned up after the gardening session at the beginning of the month, visitors arrived at our mid-month cafe to be greeted by the latest edition of the Bowgie Inn sponsored ‘Sparkle’ magazine with accompanying quiz and a wordsearch based around the National Trust.

Richard then introduced our guest speaker for the afternoon, Mike Simmonds, Lead Ranger for the National Trust covering the area from Holywell Bay up to Tintagel.

Crantock is fortunate to be almost surrounded by beautiful coast and countryside protected by the Trust, from unspoilt beaches and fields of wild flowers to the ‘Round Garden’ in the centre of the village.  We were therefore most interested to hear about the many different aspects of the National Trust’s work in Cornwall before focussing on our own area of coastline around Crantock and West Pentire.  Mike illustrated his talk with photographs of the wildlife and wide variety of flowers to be seen on the cliffs as well as telling us of field systems and of the fascinating history of Vugga Cove, with the aid of old maps and aerial photographs.

As usual we all enjoyed afternoon tea, which today included some Easter delights!

This was followed by a game of bird bingo which provided an entertaining end to the afternoon.

Richard enlightened us with the answers to the quiz before we set off for home once again.

New members, who have a degree of memory loss, are always welcome to come along with their carers. We meet up again from 2pm – 4pm on Monday 6^th May and Monday 20^th May at Crantock Village Hall. Should you require more information please contact Di on 01637 830544, Joan on 01637 831347 or see our website: www.crantockmemorycafe.org.uk

April 2019

On April 1^st Spring had sprung at the cafe!  Visitors arrived to find a theme of ‘Gardens and Gardening’ in the room and with an ‘Anything Gardening’ word-search and a ‘Find the Hidden Flowers’ quiz to tackle they soon proved they were no April Fools!

After time for a chat everyone listened with amusement to a topical poem by Pam Ayres, before David introduced our friend Margaret Shillaber from Camelford, making a return visit. She had come along to show us how to make decorative ‘collars’ for plant pots, before helping everyone to get ‘stuck in’ planting up a selection of seasonal flowering plants.  There was a choice of violas, forget-me-nots, french marigolds, pansies and nasturtiums, as well as some strawberries.

Small groups moved to the ‘planting table’ which was well equipped with compost, seeds and pots generously provided by Lisa from the Newquay Garden Centre at Quintrell Downs. Everyone enjoyed a practical gardening experience and the results were some attractive pots of plants ready to take home.

Meanwhile others continued to work on their ‘pot collars‘, or had time to view a garden-themed display which included garden tools and trugs, seeds and pots, garden books and magazines, and even a scarecrow! ‘Conversation starter’ boards covered topics such as ‘flower shows’, ‘garden tools’, and ‘favourite flowers’, all of which revived memories of garden and gardening experiences, past and present.

After a welcome break for tea and cakes there was time for a ‘Flowers in Songs’ quiz and a ‘Flowers and Herbs’ cryptic quiz before it was time to compare thoughts and answers, and to collect our pots to take home,

It was a busy and enjoyable afternoon for all and many thanks were given to Margaret before the cafe closed its doors once again.

We look forward to meeting up again from 2pm – 4pm on Monday 15^th April and Monday 6^th May  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, Joan on 01637 831347 or see our website: www.crantockmemorycafe.org.uk