Celebrating life at Barchester

It was wonderful to host another wonderful Camberley Branch - Royal British Legion evening. We were joined by guest speaker Rob Marshall. MBE who delivered a very interesting talk' Victoria and George Crosses, Facts, Frauds and Funnies'.

The branch also had a very special new member joining them, Vera, who was amazing and 102yrs young. She joined the WRAF at only 18yrs old as a forecaster in 1942. It was wonderful to hear about her memories of that time, including D-Day.

Residents John, Terry and Frank said they had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and Frank had the added bonus of winning a bottle of fine wine in the raffle. Cheers!  

Meet Mark, our warm-hearted Resident Ambassador here at Corrina Lodge. Mark has been part of our family since 2017 and is one of the most active, friendly faces in our community. Mark loves welcoming new residents, helping them settle in, and making sure they feel right at home. If you come for a tour of Corrina Lodge, you’ll almost certainly meet him. He genuinely enjoys sharing what life is like in his home and offering a friendly chat to anyone who walks through the door.

Alongside his ambassador role, Mark was proudly elected Chairman of our Residents’ Committee, which meets every two months. He plays a key part in shaping lifestyle choices and ensuring residents’ voices are heard.   

Mark says, “As a spokesperson for our community, I enjoy helping others, welcoming visitors and getting involved with all aspects of life here. I come from a very large family, I’m one of nine siblings. My family and friends often visit and have recognised that living at Corrina Lodge has greatly enhanced my life.”
He loves chatting and keeps in touch with lifelong friends, some for over 50 years, through regular Zoom calls. And of course, he’s a big fan of the food here. His favourite breakfast is sausage, eggs and bacon, though every now, and then he’ll ask the chef for a nostalgic treat of spam and chips. Mark brings warmth and genuine care to our home every day, and we’re incredibly lucky to have him as part of our Corrina Lodge family.

We enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the Basingstoke Canal Centre. The weather was perfect with a warm breeze.     

It was wonderful to sit by the canal and see the beautiful Egyptian Geese with their super cute goslings. 
A chance to enjoy an ice cream and some good conversation.

Days Out are an important part of life at Corrina Lodge and residents are looking forward to cruising along the river at Henley on Thames in June.    

On 10th May, residents and staff at Cheverton Lodge came together to commemorate VE Day with a meaningful and joyful celebration. The day included quizzes, documentaries, and heartfelt conversations as residents shared their memories of life in 1945 and the original VE Day celebrations, making the occasion especially moving. A highlight of the day was a wonderful live performance by Chloe and Charlotte from MiniConcerts, who delighted everyone with their debut D-Day Dollies performance.   

Their music and energy brought smiles to all and added a truly memorable touch to the event. It was a special day of remembrance, reflection, and community spirit as we honoured those who served and sacrificed. Lest we forget.

On 19th May, residents and staff at Cheverton Lodge came together to celebrate and thank Dr Sam Barclay from Whittington Hospital for his exceptional support, dedication, and compassionate care throughout his time with us. Dr Barclay has made a significant positive impact on our home, always showing kindness, professionalism, and commitment to both our residents and team. 

To mark his departure, we held a special farewell celebration attended by our wonderful doctors and nurses, giving everyone the opportunity to express their gratitude and appreciation. While Dr Barclay will be greatly missed, we are truly thankful for everything he has done for Cheverton Lodge and wish him every success, happiness, and fulfilment in this exciting new chapter of his journey.

On 23rd May 2026, residents at Cheverton Lodge Care Home were treated to a truly magical afternoon as London Children’s Ballet performed “Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz Age Cinderella”. Inspired by the much-loved book by Shirley Hughes, the performance offered a delightful twist on the classic Cinderella story, set in the glamour and excitement of the 1920s jazz age.      

The talented young performers captivated residents with beautiful dancing, colourful storytelling, and wonderful energy throughout each scene. Highlights included the village friendship trial, the busy dress shop, the exciting invitation, “Magic in the Air,” the grand ball, and the memorable “Does the Shoe Fit?” finale. Residents thoroughly enjoyed every moment and praised the children for their confidence, talent, and enthusiasm.

Following the performance, the children spent quality time with residents, dancing together, chatting, and taking photographs. The afternoon created many smiles and happy memories, bringing generations together through the joy of music, dance, and community spirit.

Our residents recently enjoyed a lovely flower-themed afternoon, taking part in their very own flower show while creating beautiful handmade flower displays to decorate the entrance of our garden. Carefully arranging colourful flowers, they designed a stunning and welcoming display for everyone to enjoy.   

As part of the day, residents also spent time admiring the beautiful flowers in bloom, watering the plants, and enjoying the fresh air and gentle breeze in the garden. It was a peaceful and joyful experience filled with creativity, teamwork, and smiles. A special thank you to our wonderful residents for making our garden entrance look so vibrant and beautiful for residents, staff, and visitors alike.

This week at Herne Place Care Home, our lovely residents enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Beaney Art Museum.          

The day was filled with smiles, curiosity, and plenty of conversation as everyone explored the fascinating exhibits and beautiful collections. From artwork to local history, there was something for everyone to enjoy, and it sparked lots of happy memories and stories.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success — we’re already looking forward to our next adventure! 

At Herne Place Care Home, our residents recently came together for a fun and energising armchair exercise session with Inclusive Sports.       

The session was full of laughter, movement, and great team spirit as everyone got involved at their own pace. From gentle stretches to interactive activities, it was wonderful to see our residents staying active while enjoying each other’s company. Activities like these are a fantastic way to support both physical wellbeing and social connection, and our residents certainly made the most of it!

A big thank you to Inclusive Sports for leading such an enjoyable and inclusive session — we can’t wait for the next one!