2017 -18

The Vale of Belvoir Rotary Memory Café has now been running for over 2 and a half years and continues to provide an interesting and fun-filled two hours each month  for those who are suffering from memory loss or early stages of dementia together with their carers or support workers. Our numbers continue to increase and we now have nearly 40 members at each meeting.

The café runs an enjoyable structured two hours of nostalgic activities aimed at stimulating conversation and participation. This year topics have included:-

Clothes – with thanks to Jean Walker from Ruddington Museum; Winter;  Spring and Easter -with Easter Eggs of course; The 60s -kindly provided by Sue Clayton from Flintham Museum; Singing for Fun – an enjoyable session with thanks to Margaret Hunt from Sherwood Sunrisers Rotary Club; England Our England – from our own Chris Henley.

We have also enjoyed a visit from the U3A Ukulele Band who provided song sheets which gave everyone the opportunity to join in the singing of well- known songs .

Future topics will include Transport; Taste, Touch and Smells; Film and Stars of the 50s, 60s & 70s; and of course our Christmas Party at the end of November. We provide a delicious tea of sandwiches and home made cakes, all provided by Club members or their partners. No donations are required.

Our venue is the lovely All Saints Church in Cotgrave which provides a large open space with plenty of room and full facilities. Although our café is in Cotgrave, we welcome any visitors from Bingham, Radcliffe and all villages in the surrounding area.

We have had a few visitors from other areas and clubs during the last few months, including members from Newark Castle, Bingham Bowling Club, Bingham Methodist Church and Gedling Housing Association.

Members of Bingham Methodist Church are hoping to start their own Memory Café from September and we have agreed to help with the first 3 meetings.

On Sunday 4^th June Bingham Bowling Club held their annual Chairman V President bowls match and have very kindly offered to donate  all the funds raised to our Memory café. This will be presented in September by Richard Montgomery and John Parker. On 17th August members of Club were royally entertained by Bingham Bowls Club for an evening of bowls. There were triumphs and disappointments, both for those who are seasoned campaigners and those who would be more properly regarded as novices, but as we grappled with the terminology of bowls, a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all, and Richard Montgomery was warmly thanked for the generous contribution towards our Memory Café.