Magnetic Personalities

Many artefacts do not make light work so, after hefting a box or two in preparation for another reminiscence event, I wondered what we might have on the shelves to soothe our aches and pains?

Obviously it would be a little unwise to take advantage of all the patent remedies on hand. They were largely produced in an earlier era when 'best before' dates had yet to make an appearance. But even so liniment, unlike fine wines, is unlikely to improve with age.

Some themes however are still with us; magnetic therapies continue to be routinely sold as cure-alls for all manner of unpleasant symptoms. Twas ever thus. Pictured here is a fine example from our own shelves of Magnetic Liniment that "draws out pain like lightning". I rather like the idea of a massive magnet held over my exposed knee and think a bit of lotion would have a far less bracing effect. Another case of nice packaging, shame about the science!

'An Evening in Paris' to 'Blitz those Nits'

In the last two months volunteers from the Park Pharmacy Trust have visited local residential homes and a club for senior citizens to provide Recall Reminiscence Sessions. By handing round and talking about a selection from the Trust's vast collection of artefacts, conversations are started and memories sparked in everyone who takes part.Objects include beauty products, advertisement boards, old remedies, traditional household products, and all sorts of other paraphenalia.

The wonderful discussions of the participants have included memories of a weekly dosage of syrup of figs and the painful removal of head lice - stories that have indeed borne out our motto 'no matter how bitter the pill the memories of it are sweet'! Don't worry, recollections of glass babies bottles, Amami setting lotion and the smell of Old Spice aftershave inspired a few fonder memories too.

Our volunteers hope to carry out many more recall sessions in the future. A grant currently allows us to provide these sessions at no cost; interested groups or homes should contact the Trust for more information. Elaine, our project coordinator, would also love to hear from anyone interested in helping to run a session.

REMEMBER! Volunteers needed with good memories

We have an ever expanding team of volunteers helping with all aspects of the Trust's work. From cultivating our medicinal garden in Thorn Park, to manning the Merchant's House pharmacy, it's a lot of fun!

There is a real need at the moment for supervisors to run Reminiscence Recall sessions. We are very keen to recruit new volunteers interested in expanding this very popular scheme.

Park Pharmacy Trust pioneered these sessions for care homes, community centres and senior citizens clubs. The trust has received a grant from Plymouth City Council Small Grants Fund to enable it to run our workshops free of charge until March 2010. Volunteers use items from the Trust's huge collection to trigger memories and recollections. If you're a good listener and enjoy communicating with people we'd love to meet you.

Workshops are for small groups and last an hour. They can focus on a range of topics: mothers may remember well the nappy-changing, colic-comforting, cod liver oil dosing joys of babycare, men may be more familiar with the paraphenalia of wet-shaving and the shared experience of the barbershop!

If you'd like to know more then give us a call - or pop in on a Friday morning for a cup of tea and a chat about what's involved. Between 10:30 and 12:30 every Friday morning Thorn Park Lodge is open to visitors interested in knowing more about our work and volunteer opportunities.