On the beautiful warm sunny evening of April 8th, members gathered to listen to Ruth Kerr talk to us about "Touch and Memory".
After a career working in Museums and handling exhibits, Ruth decided to pursue a subject that fascinated her - the link between touch and memory. Of our five senses, touch is the least understood and explored, despite the fact that it is essential to our survival.
From birth it is a means of communication, informing us about temperature, texture, pain and pressure, all through the medium of our skin, the largest organ in the body. From 8 weeks of age, babies can feel through their lips and nose; by 12 weeks, through their palms and the soles of their feet; from 32 weeks through every part of their body, even able to feel a single hair.
Touch is necessary for development of the brain and emotions - if babies are deprived of human touch and the experience of a wider environment, they will not flourish. The damage can take many months to cure - affectionate touch is especially necessary for cognitive and intellectual development.
As we grow older, touching and handling familiar things can inspire reminiscences and the sharing of past experiences.
To illustrate this, Ruth handed round various old objects to inspire memories. These included an old fashioned hair-dryer, an old dial up telephone, an
upright hoover, a portable transistor radio and a cotton handkerchief. These objects triggered happy memories for many members and there was much excited chatter and stories told.
Bridget Coleman
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