Some ideas for your first CST group of 2025.
INTRODUCTION Wish everyone a Happy New Year and ask how their holidays went? - Did anyone have any visitors staying, or did they visit or stay with family or friends? - What were their best Christmas presents? Did anyone have any nice surprises?
- Are there any presents to 'regift'?
- Does anyone not celebrate Christmas? What is their festive occasion?
- How did members see in the New Year? Did anyone drink champagne and count down the seconds to Big Ben chiming in 2020? - Did anyone watch Jools Holland 'Annual Hootenany' or see the 'Fireworks on the Thames'?
- What is the most enjoyable thing about New Year's Eve or New Year's Day? Ask members if they have made any New Year's resolutions (things they would like to do more or less of)?
As we start a new year, what is the single biggest change you or others could make that would make the world a better place to live in?
NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS IDIOMS As a memory prompt, we asked members to complete the following phrases together ...
You could also discuss meanings. Turn over a new - LEAF A fresh - START Nothing ventured, nothing - GAINED Out with the old and in with the - NEW When one door closes, another - OPENS Winds of - CHANGE You can’t teach an old dog new - TRICKS A brave new - WORLD A new broom sweeps - CLEAN New lease of - LIFE Nothing new under the - SUN Ring in the New - YEAR
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life. For me.
AND I'M FEELING GOOD
SONG BREAK. 'Happy New Year', ABBA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uo0JAUWijM
Hre is our first song to sing along with.
No more champagne And the fireworks are through Here we are, me and you Feeling lost and feeling blue It's the end of the party And the morning seems so grey So unlike yesterday Now's the time for us to say
Chorus: Happy New Year Happy New Year May we all have a vision now and then Of a world where every neighbor is a friend Happy New Year Happy New Year May we all have our hopes, our will to try If we don't we might as well lay down and die You and I
Sometimes I see How the brave new world arrives And I see how it thrives In the ashes of our lives Oh yes, man is a fool And he thinks he'll be okay Dragging on, feet of clay Never knowing he's astray Keeps on going anyway
Chorus:
Seems to me now That the dreams we had before Are all dead, nothing more Than confetti on the floor It's the end of a decade In another ten years time Who can say what we'll find What lies waiting down the line In the end of eighty-nine
Chorus:
NEW YEAR'S QUIZ Here's a short quiz to carry on the discussion.
Round 1. Traditions
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What do people traditionally do at midnight on New Years Eve?
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What do the Scots call New Year's Eve?
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 | What do you call a Scottish or Irish social occasion involving Gaelic music and dancing? |
 | What is a 'Calennig' in Wales? |
 | What is 'First Footing'? |
 | What gifts are given? |
 | Which Cornish town celebrates 'Mummers Day', where traditional Cornish songs are replaced with Minstrel songs? (They also have 'Obby Oss Day' on 1st May.) |
 | Where in the UK do people say "Black rabbits, Black rabbits, black rabbits" in the closing seconds of the old year and "White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits" in the opening seconds of the new year? |
 | What is the tradition, in the West Country on the twelfth night, 'Wassailing' all about? |
 | Complete the following phrase, which is said by school children on the first of each month... "Pinch punch, first of the month and .........". |
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True or False. Doing laundry on New Year's Day is bad luck?
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Who wrote the words to Auld Lang Syne?
What do those words mean?
SINGALONG. 'Auld Lang Syne', Maria Carey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aop6YF1Xqqg
(This is also a great version to dance along with!)
Round 2. Millennium
Identify these 'Millennium Fund' landmark construction projects ...
Who has visited any of them?
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? Name the clock & tower? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? What is it called now? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? Which canal is it on? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? What is it called now? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? Where is it? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? What do locals call it (after an animal)? |
 | Name these two 'Millennium Fund' landmarks? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? Where is it? |
 | Name this 'Millennium Fund' landmark? What river does it cross? |
 | How many beacons were lit to celebrate the new century? a. 1,000+ b. 2,500+ c. 4,000+ |
SONG. 'Millennium', Robbie Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk
This song borrows heavily from which James Bond movie theme music?
Here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs8uYxTJ530
Round 3. General Knowledge
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Which country in the world is first to see in New Year, and at what time GMT is it?
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 | Complete the saying ... “Thirty days hath September ..." |
 | Where do Americans celebrate the New Year by watching 'The Ball Drop'? |
 | Which comedian made the first ever mobile phone call in Britain on 1st January 1985? |
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What are 'Veganuary', 'Red January' and 'Dry January'?
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What year was the Queen's 'Annus Horribilis'? Why was it so called?
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 | What name was given to the predicted computer meltdown at the beginning of the year 2000? |
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What 1972 disaster movie is set around a New Year's Eve party at sea?
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 | How do you say "Happy New Year" in Welsh? (Or another language depending on the cultural background of your members) |
| 2025 will be 'Year Of The Snake' in the Chinese calendar. What are the other 11 animals? |
SONG. 'Year Of The Cat', Al Stewart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxy1eF_w7sU
Is there a 'Year Of The Cat'?
Round 4. My Top 10 News Stories Of 2024
May 2024 - A soggy Rishi Sunak called a general election on the steps of 10 Downing Street.
What did people think of him as Prime Minister?
What about Liz Truss and Boris Johnson who came before him?
July 2024 - Kier Starmer, leader of the Labour Party became Prime Minister with a massive majority. He became the first Labour P.M. since Tony Blair in 2005.
What do people think of him so far?
How does he compare with Kemi Badenoch, the new Conservative Party leader, and Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party?
Also in July 2024, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He later won his second term as Republican President, beating Kamala Harris, leader of the Democratic Party.
What do people think of Donald Trump?
Is age 82 years (Joe Biden) and 78 years (Donald Trump) too old to be leader of the "free world"?
Prince William described 2024 as "a dreadful year", after both his father (King Charles 111) and wife (Princess Kate) underwent treatment for cancer.
Do people think Charles has been a good king?
How will William and Kate cope with the demands of the monarchy? Will Harry and Meghan ever return into the inner royal circle?
Israel's war against Hamas continued, with a near total destruction of Gaza. Many commentators called it a "Genocide" of the people of Palestine. As usually happens in war, children suffered the most with an estimated 18,000 being orphaned.
There's not much to ask about war. Maybe a pause to pray for peace might be in order?
Putin continued his war in Ukraine. President Zelensky continued to rage against the Russian invaders, supported by Europe and USA allies.
How soon do people think Ukraine will join the E.U. and N.A.T.O. after the war ends?
Will it encourage the U.K. to also rejoin the E.U.?
August 2024 - People came to Stockport to riot after three children were killed in a mass stabbing where they were attending dance class. 1,280 were arrested and many were imprisoned for the part they played in the so called "Farage Riots". Later, Stockport residents from all communities came together to undertake a clean up and make repairs to damaged properties.
Many commentators have blamed social media for stirring up racial hatred and enabling the coordination of protests.
Do members use social media? Have they any ideas on making it safer?
July/August 2024 - Paris held the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The 2024 Olympics featured 329 events across 32 sports, including the addition of breakdancing. Other modern sports included 3x3 basketball, BMX, surfing, skateboarding, and climbing. "Team G.B." won 14 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze medals and "Paralympics G.B." did even better, coming second behind China with 49 gold, 44 silver and 31 bronze medals.
Who watched the opening ceremony? You could play a video clip of Céline Dion singing 'Hymne à l'amour' live from the Eiffel Tower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wQ-GYnKPYM
What are peoples' favourite Olympic sports and what are their favourite sportsmen and women?
December 2024 - Storm Darragh hit the U.K. hard with winds topping 93 mph gusts.
Who likes a good storm? Does anyone go to "wave watch"?
Did anyone have any damage to their properties?
What do people think about storm naming, which started in 2015?
Christmas TV 2024 - The 'Gavin And Stacy Finale' attracted a 12.8m audience, the highest since 2008 when Wallace & Gromit won 14.3m viewers.
Did anyone see the show? What did they think of the ending?
Who are pictured above and can people remember other cast members names?
Sadly we lost some great people in 2024. Pictured here are just a few. How many can you recognise? A 'Gone But Not Forgotten 2024' is currently in preparation.
Left to right there are:
James Earl Jones, Liam Payne, Steve Wright
Shannen Doherty, Donald Sutherland, Quincy Jones, Dame Maggie Smith & Shelley Duvall
What were they all famous for?
Round 5. New Year's Honours List
And on a happier note ...
Here are some of the famous people who received honours from King Charles 111 in the 'New Year's Honours List 2025'.
Stephen Fry, Knighthood for services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity. Sadik Khan, Knighthood for political and public service.
Emily Thornberry, Damehood for political and public service.
Gareth Southgate, Knighthood for services to association football.
Jacqueline Wilson, Damehood for services to literature. Sarah Lancashire, CBE for services to drama.
Alan Titchmarsh, CBE for services to horticulture and charity.
Myleene Klass, MBE for services to women's health, miscarriage awareness and charity.
Keely Hodgkinson, MBE for her services to athletics.
Loyd Grossman, Knighthood for services to heritage. Carey Mulligan, CBE for services to drama.
What do members think of the Honours system?
Who would they nominate and why?
Round 6. Some final songs ...
Who sang that they were going to ... 'Party like it's 1999'?
Here is the song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4
Which Stevie Wonder song begins with the lyrics, "No New Year's Day to celebrate..."?
Here is the song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtPLdL5GWDg
'Perfect Year', Dina Carroll - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M7XZEpNwgQ
Which musical does the song 'The Perfect Year' come from?
'January', Pilot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X50KJp-oq9M
What was their other UK top 20 hit? (Clue "Oh oh oh it's ***** . Never believe it's not so!")
'New Year's Day', U2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYCyCaK_5k
Who is the lead singer of 'U2'?
What is his real name?
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
SONG. 'Auld Lang Syne', Andy Stewart
A final, more traditional version of the song to finish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnpGUocGMnk
Dance together, but only if safe to do so!
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY Ask members if they have ever received recognition for a lifetime achievement. Another way of asking this question is to ask what they are most proud of. Perhaps they excelled at school or university, perhaps there was a significant contribution they made in their occupation, or perhaps they raised a wonderful family. Perhaps they have a skill that is remarkable, for example being able to play a musical instrument, being an artist or author or being fluent in another language. As for a practical activity, have members draw or paint a gold medal and ribbon to award themselves for their 'Best Lifetime Achievement'. (And a silver and bronze medal if there is time!) Or make a 'real' medal out of air drying clay and ribbon. Maybe illustrate the background/other side with an image of what it is they have excelled at. (Emojis are useful in this respect.)
Round 1
Kiss. During a Hogmanay party, it's customary to try kissing everyone in the room as the bells ring at stroke of midnight. Passionate New Year's Eve kisses are featured prominently in popular culture.
'Hogmanay'
'Ceilidh'
'Calennig' is a Welsh word meaning "New Year celebration/gift", although it literally translates to "the first day of the month". A 'Calennig' gift is traditionally an apple skewered with cloves, dried fruit and sprigs of evergreen.
The tradition of 'First Footing' was always important in Scotland and Wales. A dark-haired man should let in the New Year for good luck.
The 'First Footer' would traditionally arrive bearing gifts to bring good fortune and health to the home. Gifts generally took the form of a coin, shortbread or something edible, a lump of coal or wood for the fire and a drink of whisky to represent prosperity, food, warmth and good cheer.
Padstow. The tradition came from Philadelphia 'Mummers Parade'.
Yorkshire
There are two versions of Wassailing. One involves groups of merrymakers going from one house to another, wassail bowl in hand, singing traditional songs and generally spreading fun and good wishes. The other form of wassailing is doing the same thing in orchards to bless the apple trees for a good harvest next year.
"Pinch, punch, first of the month and NO RETURNS." Salt was meant to make witches weak, so the pinch signified the use of salt to weaken the witch, while the punch was then administered to banish the witch for good. Saying the words 'pinch punch for the first of the month' therefore became a way of welcoming in a new month and protecting yourself from bad luck.
True. Don't do laundry on New Year's Day, or a member of the family will be washed away (i.e., die) during the coming year. Also doing laundry on New Year's Day will wash a year of good fortune down the drain.
Rabbie Burns / 'Times Gone By'
Round 2
'London Eye' / 'Big Ben' & 'Elizabeth Tower'
'Millennium Stadium', Cardiff / 'Principality Stadium'
'Falkirk Wheel' / 'Forth & Clyde Canal' connecting to 'The Union Canal'
'Millennium Dome' / 'O2 Arena'
'Eden' / St Austell, Cornwall
'Millennium Centre' / Cardiff Bay
'Millennium Bridge' & 'Tate Modern'
'Spinnaker Tower' / Southampton
'Gateshead Millennium Bridge' / River Tyne
More than 4,000
'You Only Live Twice', 1967
Round 3
The Pacific island of Tonga is first to ring in the New Year and celebrated at 10am GMT on December 31st - making the tiny island nation the first to head into a fresh year.
“Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, but February’s 28. The leap year, which comes once in four gives February one day more.”
Times Square, New York ('The Big Apple')
Ernie Wise
'Veganuary' is a pledge to give up meat and dairy for the month of January. 'Red January' is a pledge to focus on fitness as a means to improve physical and mental health. 'Dry January' is a pledge to give up alcohol for the month of January.
1992. It was so called as it was wrecked by the collapse of three of her children's marriages - including Prince Charles' to Princess Diana - and the fire that severely damaged her Windsor Castle home.
'The Millennium Bug'. Planes didn't fall from the sky, banking systems didn't crash and clocks kept ticking, largely so technicians told us because of the crisis averting measures they took.
'The Poiseidon Adventure'
'Blwyddyn Newydd Dda'
The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat (sometimes interchangeable with sheep), monkey, rooster, dog and pig
There is no 'Year Of The Cat'
Round 4
96 years
73 years
Oprah Winfrey
Oslo, Norway
Carrie Simmonds
£730m
2,572
£63
Gareth Bale & Harry Kane
Matthew Hancock
56.7C
Prince
'I Just Called To Say I Love You'
'Sunset Boulevard'
'It's Magic'
Bono / Paul David Hewson
FOOTNOTE It is important to note these discussion topics and quiz questions are only suggestions and prompts to support your CST session. Time for discussion and elaboration is more important than completion and going off at tangents is absolutely to be encouraged. It would be good to have feedback about what has worked well and not so well in the activities included in the CST Blog, maybe along with photographs of things produced in your sessions. (Please don't include pictures of members unless they have expressly given informed consent and their care partner has also agreed to it.) Ideas for future activities would also be gratefully received. Wishing all my followers and supporters a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2023. Thank you for your ongoing support!
