Florence celebrates 101st birthday with care home party
Family and friends celebrated the 101st birthday of former church volunteer and school pianist Florence Chettle. Her birthday was marked with a party at Barnfield Care Home, in Chesterfield, where she has lived since March 2018. Florence was joined by three generations of her family for the day, when she was presented with two specially made cakes, cards and gifts. She has three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who live in Canada, America and Australia, as well as the UK. Alongside a card from the Queen, members of Florence’s family unable to attend the care home party sent celebratory cards and greetings from around the world. Florence was born in Nottingham on 15th April 1918. In 1945 she married Frank Chettle, a headteacher at Tapton House School, in Chesterfield. They were married for over 66 years, before Frank passed away in 2011. Florence moved from Nottingham to Norwich, Worcestershire and, finally, Chesterfield during her married life. She carried out voluntary work for the Methodist church, ran a playgroup and played the piano in various schools. She also has a lifelong interest in knitting and baking. Tracey Turner, home manager at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, said: “We celebrated Florence’s 100thbirthday just a month after she moved into the home in March last year. “It was amazing to see so many members of her family here again to mark her 101stthis year – alongside all of our residents and staff wishing her well. “She had a brilliant day and got so many lovely cards and gifts.” Happy birthday Florence! Barnfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Sponsored walk for dementia friendly sensory garden
RESIDENTS and staff have raised hundreds of pounds for a dementia friendly sensory garden at their care home. A 3.5-mile sponsored walk around Carr Ellison Park, in Hebburn, near Newcastle, generated more than £280 in sponsorship. The funds will be used to buy a variety of plants and vegetables, raised flower beds and other multi-sensory items for the garden at Willowdene Care Home, on Victoria Road West. The sponsored walk was undertaken by residents, staff, family and friends of the home. One of those was 75-year-old Harry West, who was joined by his granddaughter Samantha West, daughter Angela Groark, son Malcolm West and daughter-in-law Annemarie West. Fellow resident Patricia Greig, 75, also took part in the walk. She said: “The park is beautiful. It’s great to see the squirrels running around they’re lovely. I have enjoyed my day.” Christine Chandler, activities coordinator at Willowdene Care Home, said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to all the family members for supporting the sponsored walk. “The funds will go a long way to creating a sensory garden for our residents. “Gardening and being outside has a therapeutic effect on those living with dementia, so we look forward to making the most of our garden during the warmer, summer months.” Willowdene Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
School invites elderly to see Egg-cellent Easter display
AN EGGSTRA special invitation was sent to care home residents for a Runcorn school’s Easter assembly. Residents from Simonsfield Care Home, on Boston Avenue, were invited to view the school’s display of hand decorated Easter eggs. They had been created by pupils aged five to ten years old at The Grange Academy, on Latham Avenue, for a school competition. The school invited the elderly residents to visit following the care home’s appeal for Easter eggs. More than a dozen of the chocolate treats were presented to residents at the assembly. Debbie Smith, home manager at Simonsfield Care Home, said: “The school teachers and children were very keen to show our residents all the eggs entered into their egg decoration competition. “All the residents who went thoroughly enjoyed the assembly and talking to the children. Resident Emma Adams, in particular, got very emotional and had a little cry. “We would like to say a huge thank you to the school for inviting our residents to attend their Easter assembly and also for the generous donation of Easter eggs. “The residents will be enjoying those with their afternoon tea.” Simonsfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Kathleen celebrates her 102nd birthday
CENTENARIAN Kathleen Cattermole has celebrated her 102nd birthday with family and friends at her care home in Derbyshire. A party was held at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre. She received cards, flowers and a homemade birthday cake as well as eight cupcakes decorated to spell her name. After the birthday bash, she said: “I feel good about reaching 102 years young.” Born in April 1917 in Long Eaton, Kathleen lived on Cranmer Street, before meeting her future husband at her aunt’s wedding, where she was a bridesmaid. From the age of 14, she worked as a clerk, rising to chief wage clerk by the time she married James Frederick William Cattermole in April 1947, at Ilkeston Registry Office. During World War 2, she received training on how to put out fires with stirrup pumps, spending her evenings fire watching. She said: “We had training but never had to put any fires out. We also had two soldiers billeted with us during the War. Everyone had to do their bit.” Kathleen has always been a keen dancer and used to tour the Nottingham clubs, ballroom and sequence dancing. She was also a pianist and performed alongside her brother, Harold Mason, who played the violin. She said: “He used to tap me on the head with his bow if I ever went wrong.” She has two children, daughter Zena and son Cliff, as well as five grandchildren and five great grandchildren, who visited the home for her party. Julie Mulvany, home manager at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, said: “Kathleen has been living at Longmoor Lodge for six years now. “She enjoyed a lovely party with her family on Saturday and today staff have given her some flowers. “Everyone has thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Kathleen’s milestone birthday with her and she has had a lovely time seeing family and friends.” Longmoor Lodge Care Homeis part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Teens and businesses making a difference in Huddersfield
A CELEBRATION evening was held to thank businesses across Huddersfield for providing volunteering opportunities to hundreds of teenagers. Over 590 young people were involved in the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust National Citizen Service (NCS) programme in 2018. They worked on 48 social action projects around the city and helped fundraise more than £26,500 for the activities and work they carried out. One of those projects was transforming the garden at Thornhill Care Home, on Thornhill Road. A group of 15-to-17-year-olds from the NCS programme created plant pot borders around the home’s garden, installed solar lighting and laid artificial turf. They held fundraising activities and appealed to local businesses for supplies to complete the work. They also received funding from Kirklees Council, after support from Councillor Sheikh Ullah, to purchase benches for the home’s residents. The Huddersfield Giants Community Trust organised a celebration to congratulate the young volunteers and also thank the businesses who have provided community project opportunities. The event took place at Northfield Hall, Norfolk Ave, Huddersfield, attended by community trust workers, dozens of business representatives and members of Kirklees Council. Kirklees Council Deputy Mayor Cllr Mumtaz Hussain, Deputy Mayoress Noreen Hussain and Cllr Sheikh Ullah, who supported the Thornhill Care Home project, were among those at the event. Nina Baker, Huddersfield Giants Community Trust NCS programme coordinator, said: “This event was our way of saying thank you to everyone who has supported our NCS programme Social Action Provision in the summer and autumn of 2018. “It was a huge success and great to see so many organisations without whom we couldn’t have such an incredible impact throughout Kirklees. “We look forward to working closely with Hill Care and other organisations throughout Kirklees for the 2019 programme, which will begin in June.” Johnny Edwards, home manager at Thornhill Care Home, said: “We are so grateful to Huddersfield Giants Community Trust NCS programme for choosing Thornhill Care Home for their community project. “The work they have done in our garden is exceptional, a real transformation, and will be enjoyed by our residents for many years to come. “We look forward to working with the NCS programme again this year as well as seeing them at our sister homes across the region.” Thornhill Care Home is one of several Hill Care Group homes providing support for the 2019 programme, including Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home, in Skelmanthorpe, and Aden Lodge Care Home, in Clayton West. Vicky Taylor, regional manager for the Hill Care Group, said: “We are delighted to offer our ongoing support to the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust NCS programme. “The social action projects at our care homes are hugely beneficial not just to the homes themselves but to the residents and the young volunteers. “They provide opportunities for intergenerational activities that have a positive impact on those living in our homes and give the volunteers an opportunity to make a difference in their community.” The Hill Care Group operates care homes across the north of England. For further information visit www.hillcare.net. For further information on the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust and the National Citizen Service programme visit https://hgct.co.uk/.
Care home’s seaside appeal for resident Eddie’s 85th birthday
AN APPEAL has been issued to give an elderly care home resident a seaside birthday party – despite being almost 70 miles from the nearest coastal town. Staff at Aden Lodge Care Home, in Clayton West, near Huddersfield, are hoping to fulfil resident Edward “Eddie” Case’s 85thbirthday wish. Unfortunately, Eddie is not able to travel to the coast, so the home is planning on bringing the coast to Eddie. Staff will be creating an indoor beach for the day, complete with sandcastle making, volleyball and other beach games, mocktails and more. They are also hoping to have an ice cream van and a donkey or pony visit the home and are appealing to anyone who can provide the traditional seaside attractions. Kim Hardy, home manager at Aden Lodge Care Home, said: “Eddie is a hug fan of the great outdoors. “On a recent walk around his home village of Clayton West, he was able to recall when he was a young lad and he would walk to school because “only well-off families could afford a car”, he said. “He said he loved visits to the beach as a child, despite living a good one and a half hours drive away, so we thought we’d bring to beach to him for his 85th birthday. “We need support to pull this off, however, so we’re appealing to anyone who can provide traditional seaside attractions such as an ice cream van, candyfloss maker, a donkey or pony rides. Anything that brings back memories of the seaside. “We’re opening up the party to anyone who would like to join us for our seaside day on 23rd March. We’d like to see as many visitors as possible.” Kim added: “We’re also appealing to the local community to see if we can get 85 birthday cards for his 85th– but all themed with the great outdoors, from beech themes to our wonderful countryside.” For further information about the appeal call Aden Lodge Care Home on 01484 866602 or email adenlodgemanager@hillcare.net. To send a card to Eddie Case for his 85th birthday, address it to Eddie Case, Aden Lodge Care Home, Long Lane, Clayton West, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 9PR. Aden Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Pets charm residents at Teesside care home
A HERD of fluffy, four-legged friends were the latest visitors to a Middlesbrough care home. Rabbits and guinea pigs hopped in to see residents at The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, for an animal therapy session. Staff from Pets at Home, on Teesside Park, Stockton-on-Tees, brought the animals for residents to hold and stroke. Having contact with the cute, cuddly creatures provides therapeutic benefits for those living with dementia, according to home manager Pam Rodgers. She said: “Watching, stroking and holding guinea pigs, rabbits and other animals can have a calming and positive impact on everyone – but especially those living with dementia. “They might bring back fond memories of their own pets or give them something to focus on and care for. Everyone had big smiles on their faces at the end of the session.” After holding the rabbit, resident Maureen Hall said: “How wonderful is he. I could hold him all day.” Fellow resident James Haslam said: “It’s great being able to meet animals like this. Thank you. They are beautiful.” The Gables Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Farm animals bring smiles to elderly residents’ faces
HOOVES clattered through the halls of an Ellesmere Port care home when residents were treated to an animal therapy session. Two miniature ponies, a goat and a rabbit were among the latest visitors to Aaron Court Care Home, on Princes Road. The four-legged farm animals were brought to the home by pet therapy company Doolittles Animal Therapy. The residents were given the opportunity to stroke, cuddle and talk to the animals during the session. One resident, Mavis Shaw, was brought to tears upon seeing the goat and repeatedly said “thank you” to the company’s expert handlers. Animal therapy sessions helps to reduce stress, ease anxiety and improve overall wellbeing, according to home manager Lindsey Bevan. She said: “You only have to watch the residents with the animals to see how beneficial these sorts of therapy session are. “Particularly for those with dementia, as it can bring back fond memories, which has a positive impact on stress and anxiety. “Everyone was very excited when the animals got here and the smiles on the residents’ faces said it all. It’s not every day ponies and a goat visit a care home.” Aaron Court Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Superfan Malcolm enjoys T-Rex tribute concert
T-REX superfan Malcolm Temke got to see his favourite band live again when tribute act T-Rextasy played Middlesbrough Theatre. Despite his dementia, Malcolm recalled many of the band’s lyrics and sang along to classics including “20th Century Boy”, “Get It On” and “Children Of The Revolution”. He was taken to the concert along with fellow resident Christine Standley by carers at Briarwood Care Home, in Eston, Middlesbrough, where they both live. After the show, he met the band and lookalike singer, bringing back memories of the many occasions he met T-Rex’s lead singer, Marc Bolan. Malcom first saw T-Rex play live in 1969, when he was 15-years-old. He has a photo of himself and Marc from the concert. He keeps a scrapbook of T-Rex memories, including ticket stubs, programmes and photos. One ticket, from a concert at ABC Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees, on 4th November 1971, shows he paid 60p for a seat in the stalls. His first T-Rex album was White Swan, released in 1970. Julie Foster, home manager at Briarwood Care Home, said: “Malcolm is a very quiet gentleman and rarely speaks. However, he was singing along to all the songs and asked our activities coordinator Norma Dobie if she was going to share her crisps. “It was lovely we could take Malcolm and Christine out to enjoy the show and both had such a fantastic time.” Dawn Temke, Malcolm’s wife, said: “I was delighted staff at Briarwood Care Home took Malcom to see the show. He loved it. Briarwood Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
