Shops and businesses Turn Witney Blue for Dementia Action Week

Dozens of companies decked out their storefronts with balloons and banners for Dementia Action Week 2019, which was marked across the country throughout last week.

Witney Dementia Action Alliance (WDAA) ran a programme of events designed to 'turn the town blue', with activities ranging from Tai Chi to a tug of war.

Residents could not fail to notice the campaign, as people with dementia and their carers marched through the town on Saturday for a Golden Memories Walk.

It was just the fourth time the WDAA had marked Dementia Action Week in this way, but the organisation's chairwoman, Suzi Morgan, revealed the week has already become a fixture in the town's calendar.

She said: "It was fantastic. Local retailers and businesses fully embraced Turn Witney Blue this year.

"Many of the shops showed their enthusiasm by turning their window displays blue last weekend and by the end of the week the majority of the 250-plus shops had blue window displays.

Ms Morgan added: "We were overwhelmed by the support. It has grown steadily over the last four years and we felt that this year many people were already aware that it was Dementia Action Week and were already planning their own events."

Some shops in the town centre have turned blue every year, but several businesses from the outskirts of Witney, including The Witney Business Innovation Centre and Burwell Post Office, requested decorations for the first time.

Witney Radio even turned its website blue for the week and broadcast a special programme on Monday night.

Many events proved popular, with the 'Live well with dementia' Tai Chi session packing out Church Green.

Meanwhile, more than 80 people went to the 'relaxed screening' of Singing in the Rain at the methodist church.

Witney MP Robert Courts created 71 new 'dementia friends' at the Corn Exchange on Friday, in an event designed to make the town more friendly to the disorder.

Several places held special cake sales and coffee mornings, including The Batt Primary School and Greens Funeral Services.

The biggest events took place at the weekend, with the Golden Memories Walk followed by a performance of 'Living together alone', a special song for Turn Witney Blue by local band Millipete.

Ms Morgan added: "Super Saturday was amazing, the sun shone for us this year and the turnout was overwhelming."

The pulse was raised by a community tug of war, supported by groups such as the Fire Station, The ICE Centre and Witney Community Hospital, before Voice Box Choir held a concert at St Mary's Church in the evening.

There was still time for the 5k Fun Run and Bake sale at Fat Lil's Cafe on Sunday, which Ms Morgan said was 'really well attended'.

For more information, contact Suzi Morgan at Richmond Village on 01993 894007 or email suzi.morgan@richmond-villages.com.