Encounters at a community event

In Leominster there is an Apple Fair every year. A huge variety of local apples are on display along with stalls and entertainments. As part of the apple project Leominster Meeting Centre (LMC) decided to run a stall at this popular community event. The stall included apple crafts made by participants, and a craft activity for children to take part in. There was a quiz about apple quotes for the public to complete. The display included interesting pictures and facts about orchard wildlife. Old maps of the town showed how important apple trees were to us all not very long ago. Information about LMC activities throughout the year were displayed. 

Members of staff, and trustees were there for people to talk to about LMC. Participants came with family members to talk about what they had been doing. Pictures on display showed them exploring orchards, cooking, creating beautiful art and living life to the full.

Many members of the public visited the stall and took time to find out about LMC. Some made enquiries for themselves, friends or relatives about how LMC could help someone with dementia. Representatives from many community groups came to chat and to suggest links in various ways (eg Leominster in Bloom, and the Priory Church). The event helped to publicise how important LMC is to the wider community, and to help it to flourish in the town by making links with other community organisations. One member of the public said, ‘It is fantastic to see that the people who go to the Meeting Centre are doing interesting stuff. I’m trying to persuade my mum to visit the centre, and I’ll tell her about this.’