Tea and memories at Tower Centre

By Elinor Glynn
Published 13th Oct 2021, 10:30 BST
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A Northern Ireland supported living accommodation provider is calling on those who grew up in the 40s, 50s and 60s to delve back in time and relive the memories of a bygone era with a special event.

Tea and Memories, which takes place over the week beginning October 11 in a new pop-up shop at Tower Shopping Centre in Ballymena, will relive life in Northern Ireland during the latter decades, thanks to access to a film archive jam packed with over 1,500 evocative scenes from those eras.

The Pop-Up Shop programme is a Mid and East Antrim Borough Council initiative. The shops will be running in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne town centres from September 2021 to August 2022.

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The films will cover everything from news to advertisements spanning topics including holidays to transport, work, home life, sport, hobbies and much more.

Supported living provider will turn back the hands of time with special event for the Ballymena community Picture: Michael CooperSupported living provider will turn back the hands of time with special event for the Ballymena community Picture: Michael Cooper
Supported living provider will turn back the hands of time with special event for the Ballymena community Picture: Michael Cooper

The event, hosted by Abbeyfield and Wesley Housing Association which has over 20 accommodation settings here, will help spark treasured memories, allowing guests to enjoy memory-inducing conversations with their peers.

The Abbeyfield initiative has already been piloted at the living provider’s residencies across Northern Ireland, with much success, and now it wants to allow other members of the community to delve into the archives while enjoying a cuppa and good company.

Sally Campton, Community Engagement Manager from the Abbeyfield and Wesley charity, said: “We’re coming out of a period of almost two years of lockdowns and isolation for many older people in the community. This event was planned to encourage that generation to get out and socialise in a safe setting and enjoy reliving memories of life in Northern Ireland during their formative years. We’ve already piloted the event at our residences around NI with much success and as a result we’ve ignited new bonds and friendships. We have no doubt we can do the same in the wider community with the magic that is Tea and Memories.”