Cheers, mine’s a pint a trip down memory lane


By Russell Thomas (our man behind the bar)


A dementia care home in Swansea has transformed one of its rooms into the Rovers Return from Coronation Street. Treforys Care Home in Morriston, home to 24 permanent residents who all live with dementia, wanted to create a pub room in the style of the Rovers Return. Now, they have officially opened “the Treforys Tavern” after a few months of hard work and thanks to donations received.


Rachel Evans, the care home’s HR manager, said their aim was to create a stimulating environment for residents. She said: “The residents think it is absolutely amazing - they think they have been out to the pub for the day. One of the men was brought to tears when he saw it. “It is lovely. We have a lot of residents that still remember going to the pub or going to the pub quiz.”


They decided to create the new pub room in the style of the Rovers Return as some residents used to run pubs and many others would recognise the familiarity of the Rovers.


One of our members picked up a plea in our local newspaper from a local retirement home that deals with dementia sufferers, explained Gordon. They were asking for help to convert a little used room into a “Rovers Return” lookalike sensory room. In the article the home said they had a number of residents who used to work in the bar trade, and if the home were able to get this sensory room conversion then the lives of the residents would be made so much more comfortable. We thought that it would be a great


project to get involved in, especially as Morriston Club has undergone dementia training and all our members are Dementia Friends. Our Secretary, Russell Thomas, an ex-builder, gave the meeting some rough costings and the club gave the green light for Russell to head the project. Enter B&Q Superstore in Morris- ton. A meeting was arranged with


store General Manager, Alex Sheville, who was enthusiastic enough to get permission from ‘upstairs’ to supply nearly all of the wood needed to complete the project. The club paid for the rest of the materials. We had donations of beer pumps, optics, beer mats, mirrors, glasses, ice buckets and bar items to many to mention. The most exciting delivery came just after the project started, the home received a delivery from Granada Television of signed photos of all the actors who have ever worked on Coronation Street. It came with their best wishes for the project.


Russell was fortunate to have the help of a good friend for the heavy work, which made a big difference. Penderyn Distillery gave two empty whisky casks which were converted to garden tables, with umbrellas, which were placed outside to form a beer garden.


Campaign signs up traders


Elwyn’s 50 years of service


It was in 1968 that Elwyn West joined Rotary and it was fitting that Pontllanfraith Rotary celebrated his 50 years of service.


More Cowbridge traders have joined the dementia friendly campaign. Three more businesses have recently signed up to work towards becoming dementia friendly. JCP Solicitors, Capel Jones gift shop and Specsavers received their mats, donat- ed by Cowbridge Rotary Club to mark their pledge to consider the needs of those living with dementia and their carers.


Dementia friendly Cowbridge is encouraging all traders to assist in helping to make Cowbridge a safe and welcoming community for those living with demen- tia.


In May 2018 Pontllanfraith Club, the Probus Club of Pontllan- fraith and his three children came together at his new home in Merthyr to recognize the major event. President Allan gave a speech outlining his history in Rotary and the major contribution he had played in upholding the ideals of Rotary during his 50 years service. This contribution was acknowledged by the Presidents of RIBI and RI by way of letters and a framed certificate presented to Elwyn. Elwyn’s son Martin told of his participation in Group Study Exchange to USA and the opportunity that Rotary had given him. He was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Abertillery of which Elwyn was a member at that time.


Elwyn then spoke of his pleasure at the recognition of his service and recounted some of his experiences. The event finished with an excellent buffet kindly provided by Greenhill Manor who now look after Elwyn.


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