Cricklade Memory Cafe

07/10/2026

Hello everyone, we may have had a change in the weather but it didnt put a dampner on this mornings cafe 🤗
We enjoyed an amazing very busy morning, welcoming old friends and new.
We enjoyed hot drinks, home made cakes, and a raffle before joining in with the children from Thames Pre-School Cricklade. They enjoyed some colouring with us and then sang some songs and nursery rhymes. We were singing along and joining in with the actions to 'wheels on the bus' and 'Incy 'Wincy spider'. I love seeing the interactions between the generations, its so important and a great therapy.
Our PAT dog Lucy and TDN dog Snowballl 🐕 came along with their owners, Trish and Wendy. They both had lots of attention from adults and children 😊
We were lucky to see Louise from WCC Wellbeing Team and Sue our Dementia Advisor who are on hand to support and guide if needed. Its important for us to have these links and we are greatful for their time.
Today's cafe was kindly sponsored by Christine and Monica Shailes in memory of their mum, Marjorie so a huge 'thank you' to them both.
As always last but not least, the biggest thanks to the volunteers, Jean, Julie, Kath, Margaret, Viv and our new member Janet who are all ✨️✨️

I'm so pleased to say that after my asks for sponsorships, we had an amazing response and we are now covered until April next year. Being able to secure these, ensures we can continue running FOC, something we aimed to try to do when we first started nearly 3 yrs ago. We are very greatful to our wonderful community stepping in to support this.

Now for the dreaded big 'C' news 🎄 🤗
We will be accepting donations of small food items to build some Christmas hampers from next month and we will be selling Christmas Raffle tickets. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year so there will be a big push to make it another successful year.
If anyone would like some tickets, please let me know. I'm more than happy to bring some to you.
John and Sam at the White Hart Cricklade have kindly offered us a table and supplying mulled w**e and mince pies at the Christmas light switch on, with all proceeds going to the the cafe. Come and say hello if you're in the high street on the 28th November. 🥧🍷

If you know anyone navigating any type of memory change, please tell them about us 😊

I think that's it for today 🫣😅
Best wishes Vona and the team at CMC 💐

30/09/2026

Hello to all our friends and followers.
I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful weather 😎 Its certainly a bonus as we head into October 🤗

Please see our poster ahead of next week's cafe.
We are looking forward to seeing our 'small friends' from Thames Pre-School Cricklade. They are always a delight and its lovely to see the interactions between the generations.

If you or you know anyone navigating changes with memory whatever the cause, then come along to see what we get up to and enjoy light refreshments with us.
We have a super group of members and volunteers who will support and make you feel very welcome.

Best wishes
Vona

25/09/2026

Hello to all our friends and followers on this beautiful day 🌞 😎
One of our lovely members has a Family Gold Membership from Cricklade Leisure Centre that she is hoping to sell to raise money for Cricklade Memory Cafe.
It expires on the 30th Dec 26 and would normally cost £89
Any offers considered.
If anyone is interested, please get in touch with Eve While or myself (Vona)
Many thanks 😊

02/09/2026

We may have had a change in the weather but it didnt put a dampner on us having a busy, fun morning at the cafe ☕️🍰🍪💃🕺
We welcomed old and new members before running a raffle, celebrating a Birthday and having fun with 'Name that Tune' quiz. I have to admit the DJ managed much better today, so I get a 👏 😅
Cricklade Historical Society kindly loaned us some 1957 laminated newspaper articles which were enjoyed, bringing back memories and starting great conversations.
We were joined by four ladies from Cricklade WI who are this months sponsors, so a huge 'Thank you'. It was lovely to meet them and that they joined in with the fun and conversations.
We have recieved super feedback from one lady, "Just to tell you how much I enjoyed this morning, it was really uplifting. The guests were lovely and I think the team do a great job. Everyone was smiling. Please thank everyone for hosting us (the cakes were delicious)"
This has made our day, thank you 😊
PCSO Monique and our new PC Jeremy, (who is in his first week) popped into see us. It was good to meet him, we hope he'll be happy in his role. He refrained from joining in with the dancing though, so maybe next time 😅
We finished the morning with singing and dancing which is always popular 🎶 💃

A huge 'Thank you' to Jean, Julie, Kath, Margaret and Viv who are all 🌟🌟 and just make it all happen.

Shall we do it all again next month? You bet we will, we will be in the Town Hall Annex on Wednesday 7th October, 10.30 - 12.30.

If you know anyone who would like to join us to see what we get up to, please tell them about the cafe. We have a super group of members and volunteers, who always ensure a warm welcome awaits for people with any type of memory change, their family and carers.
We are able to refer to support services if any help/guidance is needed.

Best wishes

29/08/2026

Hello everyone.
Please see our poster advertising next week's cafe.
Please share amongst family, friends and neighbours. We have a super group of members and volunteers and a warm welcome awaits everyone 😊

05/08/2026

We moved into the Town Hall for this mornings summer themed cafe which was enjoyed by all.
We enjoyed homemade scones, clotted cream and jam, strawberries, various cakes and refreshing summer cocktails 🍹
We ran a raffle and presented our volunteer Margaret with a card and flowers as she and her husband have recently celebrated 60 yrs of marriage 🍾🥂
We welcomed Alessia and Isabelle from Wiltshire NHS Talking Therapies. They introduced their service and then mingled, chatted with people. Its a really valuable service and I'm pleased we have that connection now if needed in the future.
We had lovely Wendy and her PAT dog, Snowball who is such a sweetie and its lovely to see the interactions 🦮
The DJ had some time off (playing music badly) 😅 It was lovely to have Alison with us 😊 She sang and entertained us wonderfully and its always rewarding to look around the room watching people being able to remember and join in with popular songs 🎵

Our thanks goes to this months sponsor Mark from the Vale Hotel.
We rely on sponsorships to be able to continue running the cafe FOC and at present are looking for a few more to help take us through to the end of the year. If this is something a business may be able to help with (a little advertising) or an individual in memory of a loved one, please get in touch. Any help is truly appreciated 😊

As always my last thanks goes to; Amanda (star baker) Jean, Julie, Kath, Margaret and Viv who are all 🌟

Shall we do it all again next month? You bet we will on Wednesday 2nd September.

01/08/2026

Hello everyone, please see below our poster ahead of next weeks café.
One change to note is that we will be in the Town Hall this month so please pass this on to anyone you know who attends.
Best wishes
Vona and the team xx

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

We enjoyed a really busy, fun memory cafe this morning 😎
After greeting some new members, welcoming everyone and settling down with drinks and cakes we enjoyed looking and talking about the artefacts Angela and Paul had brought along from Cricklade Museum. We were all reminiscing of times gone past while looking at albums of newspaper cuttings, photographs, maps , a Helmet and Bell etc. It was enjoyed by all and the bell came in useful when we wanted to call the raffle 😅
We have several BD's to celebrate this month including a '90th' 🎉 so a 'rousing' Happy Birthday sung.
After the raffle we had time for some music which always involves dancing 🕺 although I wouldn't recommend the DJ (I try my best) 🫣🤣
Our Pets As Therapy 🐕 Lucy enjoyed lots of attention.
We welcomed Louise from WCC Wellbeing Team so it was good to introduce her to our new visitors.
This months sponsor was Blackwells Independent Funeral Directors, who are great supporters of the cafe so our thanks go to them.
As always, last but not least my thanks go to the wonderful team of volunteers, Jean, Julie, Kath, Margaret and Viv who are all 🌟 and make it all happen 🤗

Next month's cafe is on Wed 5th August and then we have an outing to Studley Grange later in the month.

You may have seen our new posters around the town and surrounding area.
If you know of anyone with any type of memory change, family or carers please tell them about us.
We're not just a cafe, we are here to support and can signpost to professional services.

PS Videos to follow