A festive concert was organised for members of the Liskeard Area Memory Cafe to provide some extra cheer after the coronavirus pandemic.

“In response to our members having had a pretty poor time during the covid-19 lockdown period, the committee had agreed some time ago that we would do something a little bit extra for Christmas,” said a memory cafe spokesperson.

“We would like to thank Liskeard Town Council for their assistance in both providing a grant towards the cost of the event and for their attendance at the event, with a number of councillors attending, along with the mayor, Simon Cassidy. We also invited representatives from a number of local memory cafes, other organisations from Liskeard, local branches of national organisations and our MP.

“We would like to thank representatives from Pensilva, Looe, Launceston and Camelford Memory Cafes, Liskeard WI, the Lions Club of Liskeard, Liskeard Bowling Club, who have nominated us as their sponsored charity for 2023, United Charities, the British Heart Foundation, the Methodist church hall and Sheryll Murray for their attendance, support and assistance.”

Keltique Ladies Choir from Looe sang at the event with musical director Jonathan Lewsey and pianist Liz Sidebotham.

The special festive performance was attended by around 125 people and featured an encore during the customary break for tea and cakes.

Following the success of the concert, the committee is proposing to make it an annual event.

Meanwhile, after many years based at the Methodist church hall, the cafe is moving to the Public Hall in West Street.

The first monthly cafe meeting this year will be held on February 3 in the Emily Hobhouse Room. The move has come about because the church is having to put its premises up for sale.

The cafe will run from 2.15pm to 4.15pm.

The cafe will then meet on the first Friday of every month, apart from April 7, which is Good Friday, when it will meet a week earlier on March 31.

Also, during the year ahead, the cafe members will be going out for visits and meals.

Further details of plans for the year will be published on the Liskeard Area Memory Cafe pages of the Cornwall Memory Cafe website, www.cornwall memorycafes.co.uk

lTo find out more, contact the Liskeard Area Memory Cafe via the email [email protected] or by phone on 07716 787575 or 07468 698153.