Summer parties
After the success of last year, we decided to have another beach day at West Eaton. We created our own sandy beach, complete with buckets and spades and filled the paddling pool with water for residents to dip their toes in. And then the heavens opened! But we were undeterred and had lots of fun and dancing! The sand pit is still proving very popular when little ones come to visit.
The rain held off for our Mediterranean inspired summer party for family and friends. Friends and family of residents and lots of staff came along to support the event. Olivia from Creative Minds Herefordshire helped residents print some table runners for the party. Residents also made focaccia bread. They were impressed how quick it was to make something so delicious, so we shall definitely be making it again.
Summer birthdays
Kay celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family and a party at West Eaton. Carmel also celebrated his birthday, with a western movies inspired cake, thanks to our kitchen team.
Musical entertainment
Daryll, aka Crazy Wolf, played for us and there was lots of singing and dancing.
We enjoyed an afternoon singing along with Huw Knight and then Carmel showed us how it's done on the accordion!
You could feel the love in the room when Maxine Moxam came to sing for us! Residents and staff enjoyed interacting with her and said that she definitely has to come again.
Getting our creative juices flowing!
Butterflies have been more scarce each year, so we hope to boost numbers in a small way in our meadow. We received our Insect Lore painted lady caterpillars which we watched grow and grow and were facinated by their metamorphosis into butterflies. It was wonderful to release them into the meadow on a beautiful sunny day.
Carlie, from Herefordshire Growing Point, bought in some butterfly shapes that we decorated with the flowers we had pressed, so we could enjoy them inside, watching the light shine through. She came back again, later in the summer with her two young assistants, to help residents create a garden on a plate.
It is wonderful when a resident can share a talent or interest with us: Wendy demonstrated the art of Ikebana - Japanese flower arranging, which we all enjoyed.
We have been finding ways to beat the heat. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon painting and collaging fruit....with ice creams of course! We also decorated our own fans.
This years fruit has been abundant so we decided to try and make some juice with our apples . The residents enjoyed watching the process and joining in. They thought it was very tasty, so next year we shall attempt cider making!
