Having A Heatwave During 'National BBQ Week' - 31 May

National BBQ Week & Having A Heatwave

This week's CST activity combines two very British summer themes - National BBQ Week and a spell of very hot weather! A heatwave often brings people outdoors to enjoy sunshine, gardens, parks and of course the smell of BBQs cooking. For many people, BBQs bring back happy memories of family gatherings, holidays, seaside trips, garden parties and long summer evenings.

This week’s activities encourage conversation, reminiscence, singing, word games and memory challenges linked to summer, sunshine, food, heat and cooling down. We also discussed how to stay safe and comfortable during very warm weather.

Facts About A Heatwave

A heatwave is a long period of unusually hot weather. In the UK, temperatures during a heatwave can rise well above what is normal for the time of year.

Interesting heatwave facts:

• The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was over 40°C

• Heatwaves can affect sleep, energy levels and concentration

• Older people and young children can become dehydrated more quickly

• Drinking plenty of water is very important during hot weather

• Wearing light clothing and staying in the shade helps keep us cool

• Fans, cool showers and cold drinks can help lower body temperature

• Animals also need extra water and shade during a heatwave

• Ice cream sales always rise during very hot weather!

Discussion point: What is the hottest weather you can remember?

REMINISCENCE – THE SUMMER OF ’76

The Summer of 1976 is remembered by many people in the UK as one of the hottest and longest heatwaves ever recorded. For weeks, the sun shone, gardens turned brown, reservoirs became dangerously low, and people searched for ways to keep cool. It was a summer filled with sunshine, holidays, music, long evenings, and unforgettable memories.

Many people remember:

• Very hot weather and sleepless nights

• Hosepipe bans and saving water

• Queueing for ice cream and cold drinks

• Seaside holidays and packed beaches

• Children playing outside until late in the evening

• Listening to summer songs on the radio

• Family barbecues, picnics and camping trips

• Flared trousers, platform shoes and 1970s fashions

The Summer of ’76 can be a wonderful reminiscence topic because it often brings back strong memories, stories and emotions. Encourage discussion with questions such as:

• Where were you during the heatwave?

• How did you keep cool?

• What music reminds you of that summer?

• Did you go on holiday in 1976?

• What foods and drinks do you remember enjoying?

• What was different about summers then compared with now?

Reminiscing about shared experiences like the Summer of ’76 can help encourage conversation, confidence, social connection and enjoyable memories.

How To Have The Perfect BBQ

Everyone seems to have their own secret recipe for the perfect BBQ!

Ideas include:

• Marinating meat overnight for extra flavour

• Cooking burgers and sausages slowly so they stay juicy

• Using colourful salads and summer fruits

• Making sure food is cooked safely and thoroughly

• Having cold drinks and ice cream ready

• Playing summer music in the background

• Sitting outside until sunset on a warm evening

Favourite BBQ foods include:

• Burgers

• Sausages

• Chicken skewers

• Corn on the cob

• Jacket potatoes

• Halloumi

• Kebabs

• Pineapple on the BBQ

Discussion point: What would be on your perfect BBQ plate?

Slip, Slap, Slop, Slide

During hot sunny weather it is important to protect ourselves from the sun. The famous sun safety message reminds us to:

• Slip on a shirt

• Slap on a hat

• Slop on sunscreen

• Slide on sunglasses

Discuss why staying safe in the sun is important and shared memories of holidays before sunscreen was commonly used.

Things That Are Hot & Cooling – Memory Challenge

Today’s memory challenge encouraged everyone to name things connected with:

HOT

Examples included:

• The sun

• Fire

• Tea and coffee

• Toast

• Curry

• Radiators

• Desert sand

• Hot water bottles

• Volcanoes

• BBQ grills

COOLING

Examples included:

• Ice cream

• Fans

• Cold drinks

• Swimming pools

• Ice cubes

• Shade

• Sea breezes

• Air conditioning

• Cold flannels

• Water pistols

This is a great activity for word finding, conversation and sharing memories of summer holidays and heatwaves.

HEATWAVE & BARBECUE WORD CHALLENGE

Today’s word challenge uses the letters from HEATWAVE and BARBECUE to make as many words as possible. This is a fun way to warm up the brain while thinking about sunny weather, summer holidays, heatwaves and enjoying a barbecue with family and friends.

Try to find short and long words linked to summer, food, holidays, the outdoors, or anything connected with hot weather. You can play individually, in pairs, or as a whole group.

This activity helps encourage:

• Word finding and vocabulary skills

• Concentration and attention

• Teamwork and discussion

• Memory and problem solving

For an extra challenge, see who can find:

• The longest word

• The funniest word

• A word nobody else has found

• Words linked to summer memories and favourite BBQ foods

A simple word game like this can spark conversation, laughter, reminiscence, and plenty of friendly competition!

Songs For A Heatwave & BBQ and For Cooling Down

Music always helps create the feeling of summer! Today’s playlist includes:

• "Heatwave" - Ella Fitzgerald

• "Hot Hot Hot” – The Merrymen

• “Heat Wave” – Martha and the Vandellas

• “The Heat Is On” – Glenn Frey

• "In The Summertime" - Mungo Jerry

• "Under The Boardwalk" - The Drifters

• "Summer Breeze" - Seals & Crofts

• "Sunny Afternoon" - The Kinks

These songs encourage singing along, dancing, reminiscing about summers gone by and talking about favourite holidays, BBQs and seaside memories.

Here are the slides ...