September was all go!

So much has been going on we've only just drawn breath to share what we've been up to.

We started the month by hosting our sponsored Forget-me walk round the Park and opening the renovated Sensory Garden there. Special recognition to Mel Rhodes who walked 28 laps - 14 k throughout the day - well done Mel!

Our new garden area in the Park is proving to be a hit with all park users as well as becoming a regular meeting point for us on Sunday afternooons from 14:30-16:30 hrs. Do come and join us to help plant bulbs in the beautiful raised-bed area, or simply join us for a chat and a cuppa on our new seating areas. We'd love to see you.

Our regular Friday (1st and 3rd Fridays of the month) enjoying our Memory Lane Sing-a-long at Orchard House in Alton - just the best way to start the weekend - if wish you had been there - join us at the next one on Friday 15 October - arrive around 1045-1100am to settle in with a cuppa and biccies - music from Paul Tickner till 1215 - thanks so much for your help with the teas Sarah Westbrook - it makes it so much more fun to have smiley, happy helpers to make sure those attending get full relaxation and enjoyment. Please come along to enjoy the amazing atmosphere or give a hand. For those people living at Orchard House this regular event is so valuable too.

We are so proud that the Alton Community Centre courtyard garden that Moira Masson and the amazing team at Alton Community Centre helped us to renovate, which is now maintained by the members of our Memory Cafe on Wednesdays won Silver Award at 2021 Alton in Bloom. Well done!

Ta dah!!! 'Strictly' is back dancing and so are we - our first Tea Dance back at the Royal British Legion Alton in Anstey Park was held recently and got us up, dancing and having fun. These sessions are held once a month at 1400-1300 on a Tuesday, the next one is 26th October so do come along at 13.30 ish to settle in with a cuppa and some cake - then we'll be up and dancing with the Paulob1 Dance School from 1400 - 1530 - look forward to seeing you there - Keeeeeeep dancing !

We've also been on the move locally and spent a lovely afternoon recently at Austen Place with many of the people who live and work there - as they kindly invited us to deliver a dementia friends session. They were very interested to learn more about dementia; understand how they can help people with dementia and those who care for them as well as find out all about the exciting activities supported by Dementia-friendly Alton. They were especially pleased to hear about our new allotment - we'll have to see if we can rope them into helping!! Thank you for a lovely afternoon at Austen Place.

Our regular weekly Wednesday Alton Community Centre Dementia Friendly activities continue and during the last month we have been busy creating things, gardening and enjoying moving to music.

Do come along and join us, we are working towards a comprehensive programme from 10.00 to 16.00 every Wednesday where you can meet friends in the garden or cafe, enjoy crafts, music and gardening, have lunch and join in our Love to Move if you like, or simply come for a chat. Our October themes include scrap books, Harvest, Halloween, Pumpkins and Poppies. Do keep any out on our Facebook page and Website for updates.

October also promises to be a busy and creative month, and we hope you will join us and encourage others to do so too.