February 2017

Once again a wet and dreary Monday afternoon was brightened up for visitors to our cafe. Colourful flowers on the table helped to lift the spirits, and very soon a room full of chattering guests were busy puzzling over a musical quiz or a word-search, and the rain on the window was forgotten!

Our entertainer for the afternoon was ‘Just Jeff’, a talented singer, guitarist and clarinettist. We were soon listening to and singing along with a wide variety of songs ranging from old time musicals, through standards of the 30s and 40s to rock and roll from the 50s and 60s. Jeff kept everyone engaged with fascinating anecdotes and facts about some of the music and the performers, and tested everyone’s memories with a short quiz.

A break for afternoon tea gave everyone the chance to have a second look at the puzzled on the tables in between mouthfuls of some really delicious homemade cakes!

After refreshments Jeff continued on his musical journey through the decades and there was plenty of hand-clapping and swaying amongst the audience and even a little hand-jive and dancing where space allowed!

The performance concluded with some wonderful Gershwin on the clarinet, and an opportunity to brush up our rhythm skills on a variety of percussion instruments as we accompanied Jeff playing Kenny Ball’s ‘Midnight in Moscow’.

Having checked out our answers to the puzzles, thanks and enthusiastic applause were given to Jeff who we look forward to seeing again in the future.

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 20^th February and Monday 6^th March 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. 

January 2017 Extra

We’ve had plenty of gloomy, chilly days this January, so at our mid-month cafe it was an ideal time to take our minds off the weather with talk of holidays and warmer climates.

After a chance for a chat or to have a go at our word puzzles and a quiz, Richard and Joan Greenwood presented an illustrated talk on ‘The Arabian Gulf and India’. To create an atmosphere there were even bowls of Bombay Mix on each table for everyone to nibble. The talk was based around a fascinating cruise which they undertook last Autumn. With the aid of a wonderful selection of souvenirs, maps, and photographs which were taken during their expedition, Richard took us on a ‘virtual’ journey beginning in Oman and travelling via the spectacular skyscrapers of Dubai across the Strait of Hormuz to the west coast of India. Arriving at Ghandi’s birthplace of Porbander, Richard then took us south to the busy streets of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and finally via Goa to the southerly tip of the country, the region of Kerala, which he described as the Indian equivalent of the Norfolk Broads! Everyone was totally engaged by photos and descriptions of temples and churches, towns and countryside, occupations and history.

We were all envious of interesting experiences, and at teatime there was plenty of talk about our own holiday adventures – both those already taken and plans for future trips. Refreshments were accompanied by the distribution of copies of the reminiscent ‘Sparkle’ magazine, sponsored by the Bowgie, which visitors were invited to take away with them to peruse at leisure back at home.

After tea, Joan introduced a representative from Cornwall Rural Community Charity who gave an informative talk on ‘Energy Saving’. She explained how we can all become more energy efficient and save on our fuel bills. Helpful booklets and contact numbers were distributed and we all appreciated her very practical advice.

The afternoon ended with a chance to compare our answers to the quiz and thanks were given to all our guest speakers for an interesting and thought-provoking afternoon.

The doors of Crantock Memory Cafe will open again on Monday 6^th February and Monday 20^th February at Crantock Village Hall from 2pm – 4pm. New members are always welcome and should you need further information ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347. 

January 2017

The cafe opened its doors for the first time in 2017 with a sparkle of New Year on the tables and a warm welcome for all our guests. There was plenty of time to catch up with friends and to talk about Christmas and New Year experiences, and puzzles on the tables gave everyone a clue or two about the theme for the afternoon!  Our ever-popular wordsearch was entitled ‘Hair today or bald tomorrow!’ and there was a word grid based around the word ‘ponytails’ and a ‘Hair-raising quiz’ to puzzle over.

As everyone got their thinking caps on, various photographs and artefacts related to hairstyles and hairdressing were distributed around the room, which not only gave some clues to the quiz, but also caused much amusement and nostalgia as everyone recalled memories of hairstyles of the past – cuts and quiffs, beehives and backcombing, brylcreem and hairspray all came to mind. Childhood memories of plaited pigtails and hair tied in rags to create ringlets were remembered, and some even recalled the visit of the ‘nit nurse!’

Our special guest for the afternoon was Paul Houghton, semi-retired hairdresser extraordinaire, who had some fascinating and entertaining hairdressing stories to tell us after our usual afternoon tea break.

Paul began his hairdressing career in Birmingham as an apprentice to celebrity hair-stylist Raymond – better known to many of us as ‘Mr Teasie Weasie’, where expected standards of dress and good manners were as high as the quality of the hairdressing. Amongst many famous clients, Paul recalled cast members from the television series ‘Crossroads’, including Noele Gordon, who used to arrive in her Rolls Royce!

As his talk turned to hairdressing techniques and styles, Paul, who for many years ran his own hairdressing salons, set about restyling the hair of a volunteer member of the cafe and we all watched fascinated as he transformed her appearance with a ‘Judi Dench’ haircut, before giving one of our helpers a sophisticated ‘rope twist’ hairstyle. With hints and tips on looking after our ‘crowning glory’, Paul managed to amuse, educate and interest us all for the rest of the afternoon.

As always, the time raced by and everyone left in high spirits with many memories stirred and having much to think about. It was a great start to what we’re sure will be another successful year for the Memory Cafe and our next meetings will be held on Monday 23^rd January and Monday 6^th February at Crantock Village Hall from 2pm – 4pm. We are always pleased to welcome anyone concerned about memory loss, with their carers and should you need further ring Di on 01637 830544 or Joan on 01637 831347.