January Update

January Update

Welcome to a new year at the Alice Cross Centre. 

As we step into 2025, I trust your Christmas was filled with joy, love, and special moments. Whether it was the warmth of gatherings with family and friends, or simply some well-deserved relaxation, I hope your Christmas brought you happiness and peace.

The Alice Cross is looking forward to the year ahead, to welcoming in new opportunities, to great community events, forging new friendships, to laughter, and creating unforgettable memories!

In true Alice Cross style, December was a whirlwind of wonder.  The Kitchen was busy from the get go.  On top of our usual lunches and meal deliveries, we served Christmas dinner to 40 Walkers from the Teignmouth Walk This Way group, then again the week after to 50 people from our Zumba Gold, Yoga and Grief support groups, followed by the members of the Memory Café and finally to 60 Teignmouth residents on Christmas day itself.

On the 21st of December we all gathered at the 12th century St James Church, opposite The Alice, to see local legend Tony Lidington perform The Christmas Carol by candlelight.

To set the scene our pop up choir made up of volunteers and Teignmouth Mermaids assembled in the bell tower to sing a selection of traditional carols, accompanied on guitar by Viv Wilson.  It was a magical moment, in the true spirit of Christmas, as the sound resonated through the church.

Our volunteers, alongside some volunteers from the church, sold Mince Pies and Mulled wine to the attendees, raising £426 for The Alice Cross Centre.

Thank you so much to Tony, and Prom Prom productions for generously giving their time and talent to help the Alice Cross Centre!

Christmas day at The Alice was delightful.  The room was packed full of people with a fantastic atmosphere.  Volunteers welcomed the guests in with a glass of wine (thank to The Blue Anchor!)  and a smile.  

Talented musician and friend of The Alice, David Haines, started the day off with some carols around the Piano which really set the mood whilst we waited for everyone to arrive.

A feast was prepared by the amazing Kitchen team led up by Dave Matthews and Amy Furlong, and what a feast it was!  Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, with Christmas Puddings for dessert.  The food was delicious!

Guests were then treated to a fabulous performance from Teignmouth’s very own Dolly Parton – Sandra Darbyshire.  It was such a treat and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.

This year we also delivered hot Christmas dinners to people who were unable to get in to the centre.  Meals went out to over 20 people, delivered by a brilliant team of Volunteers.  

Sadly we said goodbye to Dawn Rivers at the end of December.  Dawn joined us in October for an interim period as General Manager and we really enjoyed having her here.  In the short time that Dawn was here she successfully head up a brilliant fundraising effort, leaving the centre in a much better position with hope for the future.  Thank you Dawn and we hope you will stay in touch!

Following Dawns departure, we welcomed Peta Howell in to the role as General Manager.  Many of you will already know Peta, she has worked in the office doing our marketing administration for the last 3 years.  She started at the Alice Cross Centre 10 years ago as a volunteer and is really passionate about the charity, and her local community.  

I am really excited to step in to the role of General Manager at the Alice Cross Centre.  The Alice Cross Centre has been a big part of life over the last 10 years, having started here as a volunteer under the guidance of Julia Street and eventually joining the staff 3 years ago when Jackie O Brien was the manager here.  I truly believe in the work the Alice Cross centre does and know first hand how important an asset it is to Teignmouth.  There are some challenges ahead, and it’s really important that we continue the fundraising efforts of the last few months in order to secure the future of this amazing, vibrant, community hub“.  

Do pop in and see me – or contact me on my email address peta@thealicecross.co.uk”

The Impact of The Alice Cross Centre

Win a meal for 2 at a pop up restaurant event of your choice in 2025!

We would love to hear about how the Alice Cross Centre has made a difference in your life. Your impact statement can help us understand the positive changes our services and activities have brought to you, whether it’s improved well-being, new friendships, or learning new skills. By sharing your story, you’ll not only help us improve our services but also inspire others in our community to get involved. Please take a moment to fill in your impact statement – your voice truly matters to us.

You will be entered into our prize draw to win a meal for 2 at one of Chef Dave’s award winning pop up restaurant events in 2025.  To be included in the draw you will need to leave your contact details at the end of the form.

Fundraising News

December was an incredible month for fundraising at The Alice Cross Centre.

There are many many costs attached to running this centre, and we cannot keep the doors open without the continued support of our Community.  

Our Christmas Raffle was a brilliant fundraiser and we raised £733 on ticket sales – many thanks to all the traders, the mermaids, and our volunteers for donating all the wonderful prizes.

Special thanks to…..

Freemasons  Wake Fund  £1500

Tozers Solicitors £1000

Wednesday Night Club  £500

Royal Court (Including The Teigns)  £578

Shaldon Carols on the Green    £436.73

Scott Richards Solicitors (Bake Sale and Xmas Jumper Day)  £250

Mandy Loud Bike ride / party  £297.23

Macular society  £100

Leander Court (Including The Teigns) £150

The Teigns (Westlands)  £50

Quilters Tea Party    £50

Alan P (Fancy Dress collection)  £78

Postal workers Union £50

Local Businesses

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the wonderful local traders and businesses who have supported us over the Christmas Period by donating items to our Raffle and gifts for Christmas day.  Times are hard for everyone, which makes your generosity even more incredible.  

Your donations made Christmas extra special for everyone.

The Blue Anchor Teignmouth

Mini Heaven Bakery

Shaldon Bakery

The Bakehouse Teignmouth

Teignmouth Farmshop

The Pantry, Teignmouth

Eutopia

Nourish

Joanna’s Cafe

Paul Howard

Annie Dowsing

Free Will service from Tozers Solicitors

The idea of forward planning for our death is far from our minds when we are healthy and leading full lives. Most of us don’t think about death until there is a threat, either to ourselves or to those we love.

Nobody knows when they will die but it will happen either expectedly or suddenly. So often people die without giving any guidance as to their wishes, so that those left behind are left wondering what the deceased would have liked.

Making a will is an important step forward. It gives mourners an opportunity to carry out your wishes at a time when they are grieving, when making decisions can be difficult.

Tozers solicitors in Teignmouth are offering a free will service in return for a donation to The Alice Cross Centre.  To take this offer up you will need to call them to book an appointment or visit our website.

Teignmouth
2-3 Orchard Gardens
TQ14 8DR

Tel: 01626 772376
www.tozers.co.uk

Jumble Sale

Saturday the 1st of February 9am

It’s time for a spring clean!

Why not book a table at our Jumble Sale on Saturday the 1st of February. We have 4 small tables at £5 each and 4 large tables at £10 each.

You can book and pay securely on the link below, or give us a call on 01626 778039.

Our Breakfast café will be open on the day, serving delicious breakfasts at bargain prices.

Curry and Quiz Fundraiser

Saturday the 22nd of February 7pm

Join us for another Curry and Quiz night February 22nd at The Alice Cross Centre. Enter as a team of 4 or join others to form a team on the night. We have a delicious selection of Curries for you to choose from – Chicken Curry, Vegan Curry or Beef Madras. The evening costs £15 and includes entry in to the quiz.

We will also be drawing our February Raffle at the Curry and Quiz Night. We have a selection of great prizes ranging from Wine to Vouchers for local cafes and shops. Tickets cost just £1 and are available to buy from the centre. Just ask one of our friendly volunteers or staff members!

What is going on this month-

Gentle Chair Exercise with Sheila – Is going from strength to strength.  You can join the class on Monday afternoon at 2pm.

The sessions are aimed at improving posture, balance and mobility.

£3 per session.

Chair Yoga with Lisa – Every Tuesday 2.30 – 3.30pm and Wednesday 10.45 – 11.45am.

Booking Essential – Please call Lisa on 07714 6444468

Zumba Gold with Peta – Every Wednesday 9.30 -10.15. First Class Free!

Did you know we can help with Digital skills for those wanting to get online and use mobiles, tablets and laptops. This is free but donations are welcome!

Call us on 01626 778039 to book an appointment.

Our Monday Music session run weekly on a Monday from 10.30am – 12pm.  Each week we are treated to live music from visiting musicians and performers.  There is no fee, but we welcome donations to cover our costs,  Our coffee bar is open all morning serving good quality coffee, a selection of teas and cold drinks.  Lunch is served from 12pm – so do book in advance for this to avoid disappointment – 01626 778039

The Alice Cross Centre is a small, independent and self-funding organisation, so your donations are always welcome to support our community work.  With our give a little, help a lot scheme you can give a one off donation or make a monthly or annual donation.

  • £2.00 pays for a dessert for a vulnerable person.
  • £5.00 pays for a main meal for a homeless person.
  • £10.00 pays for a place at our memory Café for people with Dementia or a Christmas Meal for somebody who would be on their own at Christmas.

We welcome any donation, small or large!  

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Also at the Alice….

We also have many other services that run from the Centre, you may no be aware of-

  • Massage Therapy with Gary Glanvill or Vanda Rudge. Our massage suite is on level 2 of the Centre and is now accessible by lift. Call 07966381802 for Gary or 01626 772694 for Vanda for more info.
  • Chiropody with Jane Thomas alternative Wednesdays – Call the Alice Cross to book.
  • Hairdresser Bea Reitmeier – Offering dry cuts to both males and females, call 07966435123 to book.
  • Counselling from both – Wellness in mind Steven Smyth-Bonfield 07576603669 and Andrew Henderson Betterlivescounselling.co.uk 07435644250

Back by popular demand!

“TASTE OF THE SEA”

SATURDAY 15TH MARCH

Chef Dave will be treating you a showcase of seafood.  This evening books up very quickly.  Tickets will be on sale soon – watch the website for further information!