Alice Cross Day 2025 – A Celebration of Community and Legacy
What a fantastic day we had at the Alice Cross Centre on Alice Cross Day 2025—the hottest day of the year and one of the warmest in spirit too! We were thrilled to see such a great turnout with old friends, new faces, and members of the wider community coming together to celebrate the heart of Teignmouth.
The day was packed with wonderful activities and heartfelt moments. We were honoured to welcome some very special guests, including Mayor Cate Williams, Deputy Mayor Lilly Chasteau, and MP for Teignbridge, Martin Wrigley. Their presence meant a great deal, as did the return of former trustees, volunteers, and helpers who have been part of the Alice Cross Centre’s incredible journey.
A massive thank you goes out to all our volunteers—your hard work and dedication made the day run smoothly and successfully. We quite literally couldn’t have done it without you!
We were also treated to some fantastic entertainment and activities:
- Lisa Giussepe, thank you for your calming and inclusive seated yoga demonstration.
- Viv Wilson and her line dancers, your energy and enthusiasm lit up the room!
- The ever-inspiring Zumba Gold ladies brought the rhythm and fun—thank you for your vibrant demo.
- A very special thank you to Roy Shufflebottom, whose piano playing as people arrive for the afternoon created such a warm and elegant atmosphere for our guests.
- And let’s not forget The Teigns, whose live music outside during the morning added a joyful soundtrack to the sunshine and set the tone for a beautiful day.
The afternoon cream tea was a real highlight, with 48 guests enjoying delicious scones, generously provided by The Bakehouse in Teignmouth. We were then treated to a fascinating talk from Will Davis on the rich history of Alice Cross herself and the origins of the centre. This was followed by a screening of the BBC film “A Meal With Friends”, a heartwarming documentary from 1971 showcasing Alice and her band of helpers before the centre as we know it today came into being.
It was an uplifting and emotional afternoon. Meeting so many people who have shaped the centre into what it is today was a true honour. Their passion and contributions continue to carry Alice Cross’s original dream forward: “that no elderly person in Teignmouth need now be lonely”
We’re proud to say that this dream still lives on in everything we do.
A final and heartfelt thank you to all of my staff for their tireless work, care, and commitment—not just on the day, but throughout the year.
Here’s to continuing Alice’s legacy and growing our wonderful community for many more years to come. 💜
— Peta – The Alice Cross Centre 💜
Our slideshow about the life and legacy of Alice Cross is available by on our website by following this link:
https://thealicecross.co.uk/may-2025-alice-cross-presentation