Memory Café

We held our Remembrance Memorial meeting in November when we sang some rousing wartime songs. Janet read the Remembrance Service and Antony played the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’. Members planted poppies into a sand tray in remembrance of those who served in both world wars.

Several members and volunteers shared their own interesting and sometimes very sad family stories with us. Beth from Denny Abbey Museum brought some of their wartime memorabilia including ration books, fire warden helmets and wartime knitting patterns, prompting more memories. There was a lot of chat about the magazines Beth brought which prompted even more memories of parents’ and grandparents’ lives. We concluded the meeting with ‘White Cliffs of Dover’, the Dads’ Army theme tune and our closing song.

In December we held our Christmas Party. We sold raffle tickets and enjoyed tea, coffee and cakes, and sang a couple of carols. We were then entertained by Flukes. After their first set we played Pass the Parcel. Members then sang and danced along to Flukes’ second set. Father Christmas then handed out presents for members and volunteers and John led us in ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, after which we drew the raffle — there were so many prizes that everyone had at least one. Janet presented flowers and cards to thank Leila and Mary, longstanding volunteers and bakers, who are stepping down from such an active role at the café. We are hoping that they will pop in from time to time.

At the time of writing we are looking forward to our January meeting when guests will be coming to talk about their work in The Gambia.

To book a place, please call Janet on 01223 840268.

The Memory Café meets the third Wednesday of the month, 10.15 – 12.15, at The Pavilion, Paget Road, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 9JF.