Historical Thanks

One of the wonderful things about a career in The Arts is the way that my work is received by the community within which I create.

You may remember earlier this year that I did a piece of work with Louie: Postcards from Louie, a 92 year old woman living in a dementia friendly home. We wrote a book and made a story CD of her lasting memories regarding her village of Llansteffan.

Louie was one of the longest standing members of Llansteffan Historical Society and on the Sunday afternoon before her 93rd Birthday, I went to the society to talk about my work with Louie, subsequent work with people who have dementia and to sing some of the songs on the CD. 

Louie was not well enough to come so I played her talking parts on the CD  and members were visiting her later that week to wish her a Happy Birthday.

We finished the presentation with a cuppa and we all sang Penblwydd Hapus (Happy Birthday in Welsh) to Louie.

It was a very special afternoon indeed. Louie's son and daughter in law invited me for cawl (welsh soup) and I met many of Louie's friends who all loved the book and CD.

Then this week a beautiful card of Llansteffan Castle arrived and a thank you note:

Dear Cheryl

On behalf of Llansteffan History Society, I would like to thank you for your superb talk to us last Sunday. It was a moving occasion for all of us who knew Louie, a faithful member of the Society for so many years. You reminded us of her remarkable qualities, but you also added another dimension: the importance of people's memories, even when their faculties are seemingly warring. Your musical background has proved invaluable in evoking those memories, and it is wonderful to hear that the work you have done in this context is being so widely recognised and appreciated. Your talk/performance was very entertaining in addition to being enlightening, and the Society was privileged to have you on our programme.

Yours Sincerely

Eiluned Rees (Hon. Sec.)


Off course, my thanks are shared with my friend Louie, who has managed to make change from a chair at the side of her air bed.