Our Locations

Abberton Manor

  • Colchester
  • 01206 735590
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Astley Hall

  • Stourport-on-Severn
  • 01299 827020
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Newstead

  • Hereford
  • 01432 263131
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Nowton Court

  • Bury St Edmunds
  • 01284 756610
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Summerdyne

  • Worcestershire
  • 01299 403260
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The Lawns

  • Worcester
  • 01905 821388
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West Eaton

  • Leominster
  • 01568 610395
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Alternative Advent Calendars

This year seems to be the year for alternative advent calendars. No longer simply a picture, or a chocolate gift, behind each door. This year they range from beauty products to booze, toys to treats for pets. There are also the reverse calendars, where you can give back, for example with food bank collections.

We are also taking a different approach to advent, with the help of The Courtyard in Hereford. They have a Creative Ageing project, which is part of their arts initiative for older people. For more information, click the link here https://www.courtyard.org.uk/

This December, The Courtyard have designed an advent calendar of ideas for working creatively with older people, called Apple A Day. We have been following this and it is a proving a huge success, with residents looking forward to each daily activity.

1st December: Pimp my Stick

What a start to December! Our residents made paper chains to decorate their walking sticks and frames. The also added tinsel, baubles and other decorations. Brilliant fun!

Alternative advent - pimp my stick

2nd December: Table decorations

Some beautiful arrangement were made using ribbon, snow and glitter sprayed pine cones, silk flowers and holly and ivy from our garden. Rita was on hand with the secateurs to prune down the holly sprigs to manageable sizes.

Alternative advent - table decorations

3rd December: Away in a manger

We had a lot of fun assembling our nativity scene.

Nativity scene

4th December: Fesitive bunting

Yesterday we spent some time creating some vintage bunting from images of Christmas scenes. Simply by choosing old pictures to cut into bunting triangles, stirred memories and there was a lot of reminiscing of Christmases gone by. It is always lovely to hear stories and find out what is important to our residents at Christmas.

Alternative advent - festive bunting

Thank you to The Courtyard for making this inspiring advent calendar. It is a lovely treat, much anticipated, on the run up to Christmas Day.