News

Everybody had been looking forward to our only December Music for the Mind session on 12^th December which was billed to be a Christmas special. Everything was going smoothly until the Monday before the event when we got a phone call to say that St Dunstan’s Church Hall was unavailable as the roof of the hall had been damaged over the weekend by Storm Darragh. There was a lot of activity to see if we could find an alternative at such short notice with sufficient car parking for 50+ people. Fortunately Saltford Hall was available so it was all systems go. The volunteers did a fantastic job to get the hall prepared and Judith and her kitchen team did really well to get all the refreshments , cake and biscuits ready in strange surroundings. Great team work by everyone, not forgetting Lindy who led the proceedings expertly as usual.

We also used the occasion to highlight the talent that we have in our group. This included Pete who sang an Elvis number, Judith with some of her jokes, Rick who gave us a clarinet solo, Andy who sang a rock number, Mike Greenside who did a bit of jive dancing to Rock around the Clock and finally the volunteers who entertained everybody with a 10 minute version of Cinderella which nearly brought the house down. Tim, our Chair of Trustees was the narrator and did a great job. We look forward to more fun and frolics next year.

Our thanks go to the Hamberley Care Home in Keynsham which has been raising money over the last few months. We received £475 from Meryton with money raised by staff and residents from events including summer fairs and open days.

On Thursday 21^st November we arranged a trip to Cadbury’s Garden Centre to enjoy some Christmas spirit and to take the opportunity to buy some presents. This is the third year that we have arranged the trip and again it proved to be very successful. There were 26 present including those living with dementia along with their carers plus some volunteers. 16 went via Dial-a-Ride and the rest by car.

We bought everyone a hot drink and a piece of cake when we arrived at 11.00. Everyone had a wander round before returning to the restaurant for lunch. Following another walk around to see the singing reindeer we all made our way home. As usual Cadbury’s really looked after us well and made sure that everything went smoothly. I’m sure it will be the same again next year.

Merrial Knight visited Homeavon House in Keynsham on behalf of K&SDAA.

Gretta and Pam have been raising money for us over the past year for which we are very grateful.

The amazing sum of £900 has been raised and we were so pleasantly surprised when they presented the cheque.

For the first Music for the Mind on the second Thursday of the month we didn’t have Lindy to lead the singing. Mike took over but as he always has problems remembering what actions he sets up for the song. “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” ended in total chaos as usual. However, we arranged for volunteers to do a little turn between singing our normal songs. Margaret read some lovely poems; Julie and her friend got everybody hand jiving to an old classic song – Build me up Buttercup; Tom read a couple of poems including The Owl and the Pussycat; Pete led the singing of an old Elvis number, Can’t help falling in love; Judith told us a couple of excellent jokes to a mixture of laughter and groans and Andy and Mike led the singing of that old classic standard Sweet Caroline. It proved that we have a lot of talent in the group.

The following Thursday we arranged a trip out to the local Whitehall garden centre in Whitchurch. Everyone made their own way in time for tea and cake at 11 o’clock. It was mid-September and the place was ready for Christmas with decorations everywhere including the singing reindeer. Everyone had a look around before returning to the restaurant for lunch. There were 17 of us there and we all sat together for our food. Whitehall really looked after us and fed well. It was a great opportunity for everybody to meet up and chat and get to know each other better. It could be something we do on a more regular basis. It was back to normal again our second Music for the Mind on the 4^th Thursday.