Christmas 2023 came early for guests of the Parish Council’s Memory Café as they were welcomed to this special Christmas Café this morning with a live Nativity scene provided by Chloe’s Mobile Farm. The farm animals included Hattie the Cow, Ronnie & Reggie the Sheep, Tom Thumb the Shetland Pony and Norris the Donkey. The guests enjoyed brushing and stroking the animals and asking the farmers questions about their upkeep.
Guests were then warmed up with Christmas style café, a room decorated with a tree and festive fireplace scene, a table full of Christmas goodies and warm refreshments. Councillors and volunteers were on hand to host the guests and ensure they were comfortable for the morning’s merriment.
The Café included a very special Christmas raffle with homemade prizes including a fabulous wreath donated by one of the Council’s volunteers, cute little crochet snowmen containing a surprise chocolate orange and lots more goodies donated by the Council’s Councillors, Staff and Volunteers.
The merriment continued with Father Christmas playing some cheerful Christmas carols and then handing out the Christmas presents to the guests.
Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of the Community Development Committee said:
“This event was a very rewarding way to end the year. It was heartwarming to see the guests having such a good time and to see the connections that have formed through regularly visiting the Memory Café. My thanks to the team for their dedication and innovation which make our Memory Cafés accessible, fun and friendly for all to enjoy. My thoughts remain with the four families of the Café who sadly lost their loved ones this year and face their first Christmas without them.”
The Parish Council’s Memory Café was started in 2021 and since then it has gone on to win three community awards and become an established community café in the parish. The café is only possible with a team of loyal and hard-working volunteers, expertly overseen by the Council’s Memory Café Co-Ordinator.
The Café runs on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Haydon Wick Bowls Club. Booking in advance are preferred to helping with catering and planning activities. For more information, contact the Memory Café Co-Ordinator on memorycafe@haydonwick.gov.uk or call 01793 722446.
