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Not for the first time the ‘stage’ is going to be helping make Keynsham and Saltford a more dementia friendly community.

The ‘stage’ in question is at the Keynsham Baptist Church in High Street, Keynsham and it will host a performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial By Jury on February 22nd at 7pm.

The production is being provided by Stasima Theatre Company and their Artistic Director Lydia Stevens told us “Creating dementia friendly theatre is a project close to Stasima’s heart. It is the job of theatre to provide a safe and accessible place for those who need it. Gilbert and Sullivan is a perfect, adaptable medium which combines well known tunes with relatable characters, throwing it successfully into the 21st Century for all audiences.”

Lydia Stevens, is a local actress and director. With over 18 years of stage experience, she has directed for numerous companies in the South West and Wales, including the production of ‘The Elixir of Love’ for Keynsham Musical Festival in 2019 (with Opera in a Box).

Chairman of the Keynsham and Saltford Dementia Action Alliance Alan Hale told us “This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to support our work to make both Keynsham and Saltford more dementia friendly whilst having a great evening out. We are also delighted to have the support of Keynsham Baptist Church (KBC) as we raise funds for our dementia action work and at the same time share a fund raising opportunity for KBC to further its community activity as well. I hope that many people will support this event and the work we are doing.”

Stasima Theatre Company brings fresh eyes to classic productions, making them accessible and flexible to all spaces and audiences. They focus on a minimalist approach to theatre, which couples well with the incredible talent of the cast and creatives.

During the interval on the evening a light supper will be served and that will be within the ticket price of £10. Tickets can be ordered through www.ticketsource.co.uk/trialbyjury or reserved  via dementiafriendlykeynsham@gmail.com.

Proceeds will go towards the K&SDAA and Keynsham Baptist Church.

We hope to see you there.

We were pleased to welcome the year 5 class from St John’s Junior School to the Christmas party of our Music for the Mind group in St Dunstan Church Hall on the 12th December. There was a lovely atmosphere with over 15 people who live with dementia together with their carers and volunteers. There was plenty of hot drink, cakes and biscuits on offer. The children sang several carols which went down well with everyone and then they chatted with everyone before heading back to school. We finished off with Lindy leading some more carol singing and then all of our friends went home with their own Christmas gift. One of the pictures shows our chair, Alan Hale, cutting a Christmas cake.

St. John’s Church hold a festival each year and ask local organisations to decorate a Christmas tree to reflect their own organisation, with a total of 60 trees altogether this year.

The Keynsham & Saltford DAA have been the nominated charity for 2019 for the Keynsham Bowls Club. On 6th November, DAA committee members Merrial and Mike Knight attended a coffee morning in their clubhouse in Keynsham Memorial Park to collect a cheque for £800. Mike thanked the Bowls Club for their efforts and generosity. The picture shows Mike and Merrial receiving the cheque from Mo Dickinson (ladies’ captain) and Carm Riccio (men’s captain).

Our Music for the Mind sessions are continue to take place on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in St Dunstan’s church hall from 10.30am until 12.15pm. However, when there are 5 Thursdays in the month we have been adding a new trial activity. On the 31st October we put on a boccia exhibition.

Boccia is a paralympic sport and is like a sitting down game of indoor bowls. Numbers were down on the usual attendance but those that took part enjoyed the experience and the competition. Carers and volunteers also took part. The photographs show some of the players. One shows Len about to throw with his partner Diana who played against Mike and Sue. We would like to thank the St John Organisation for their help in putting the activity on.