Celebrating life at Barchester

We welcomed back Vintage Ruby to Glebefields. Ruby always brings such joy and fun to her performance, engaging with the residents and staff, bringing the room alive to her upbeat vocal renditions. Everyone had a wonderful time from singing and dancing along to a live Instrument edition from Bob. 

One of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program is live musical entertainment. Resident involvement in choosing genres along with feedback after each performance means that we are able to constantly improve our activities calendar.

The methods and mediums may change but the heart of live music - the communal joy, the shared emotions, the collective energy - remains untouched. As we look to the future, one thing is clear live music will continue to be a cherished experience at Glebefields, even as its form and format evolve.

Yesterday brought something truly special to our home, transforming an ordinary afternoon into one we’ll be talking about for a long time. We were delighted to welcome Katie Lewis from Tap about Dancing dancing who embraced our home with her West End flair! She filled every corner of the room with energy from the moment she began to perform!

Our residents very quickly became part of the show with Pat taking centre stage with sparkly top hats and dancing sticks, giving everyone a performance that had the room cheering. Meanwhile, Doreen embraced her inner rock‑and‑roll star, delivering an unforgettable air‑guitar routine that earned her first prize and plenty of applause!

During April, we all enjoyed a great few days celebrating Easter. From our church service and egg decorating to crafts and the appearance of the Kirkburn Easter bunnies – we all had a lovely time. 

A lot of chocolate was consumed and a lot of joy was spread!    

We marked National Tea Day with a whimsical Mad Hatter Tea Party that brought plenty of smiles and laughter to residents and staff. The home was transformed into a colourful wonderland inspired by Alice in Wonderland, complete with quirky decorations and playing cards.

Residents joined in the fun by wearing themed hats, while staff dressed as beloved characters from the story, adding to the magical atmosphere. The tables were set with mismatched China and an array of delicious treats and cakes baked by our amazing Head Chef Karen.

Lively music, games, and plenty of tea made the afternoon a joyful celebration. The event encouraged everyone to embrace their playful side and enjoy the simple pleasure of sharing tea together.

The Mad Hatter Tea Party was a huge success, leaving residents with happy memories.         

Residents at Fordmill enjoyed a wonderful afternoon celebrating their own Ladies Day Grand National. The home was filled with laughter, colour, and excitement as everyone joined in the fun.

Residents and staff dressed to impress, wearing elegant hats and fascinators that brought a touch of race-day glamour. The lounge was decorated for the occasion, and friendly bets were placed on favourite horses as the races played on screen.

A delicious afternoon tea with scones, and sweet treats added to the celebration. The event was a great success, giving residents the chance to socialise, share memories, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Ladies Day at Fordmill.           

 Easter at Fordmill was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit as residents celebrated the occasion with an interactive quiz hosted through the Oompf platform. The event brought everyone together for an afternoon of entertainment, teamwork, and festive cheer.

The celebration began with residents gathering in the D/Room, where the room was decorated with colourful Easter eggs, spring flowers, and handmade crafts created during recent activity sessions. The atmosphere was bright and joyful, setting the perfect tone for the celebration.

Using the Oompf platform, residents took part in a lively Easter-themed quiz that tested their knowledge of traditions, history, and fun facts about the holiday. 

After the quiz, residents enjoyed tea, cakes, and chocolate treats prepared by the kitchen team. Staff members joined in the fun, ensuring that everyone felt included and engaged throughout the event.      

This afternoon, our residents enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed and sociable gin tasting session, inspired by a lovely conversation about favourite drinks. Our Activities Lead, Gemma – who is rather partial to a cheeky gin herself – brought in a delightful selection of flavoured gins, along with a variety of tonics and lemonades.

We transformed part of our ground floor into a charming little tasting area, where the ladies sampled different blends, enjoyed some light nibbles, and shared plenty of laughter along the way. It was a fantastic opportunity to try something new, with many residents experiencing flavoured gin for the very first time!                  

One of the standout favourites of the afternoon was the delicious rhubarb and ginger gin – a real hit!

We also spent time learning about the different gins, where they come from, and what makes each one unique, making it both a fun and engaging experience.

All drinks were served in small, measured amounts, ensuring everything was enjoyed safely and responsibly in a calm and supportive environment.

A truly lovely afternoon filled with smiles, stories, and a touch of something special.

Today’s minibus trip took us to the D-Day Story, where our ladies enjoyed a truly meaningful day out.

We explored the remarkable Overlord Embroidery – 34 hand-stitched panels stretching an incredible 83 metres, telling the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Commissioned by Lord Dulverton in 1968, the designs were created by artist Sandra Lawrence, who carefully studied wartime photographs before bringing each scene to life.     

The embroidery itself was beautifully crafted by skilled women at the Royal School of Needlework using traditional techniques like appliqué and ‘pricking and pouncing’, with over 50 different materials – even real uniforms – all stitched by hand over five years.

We chose this trip especially as one of our residents who has a real love for embroidery, and it was so special to see her (and everyone else!) take such joy and interest in something so detailed and inspiring. A lovely day filled with history, creativity, and smiles.       

We’ve had a lovely time getting creative with our Easter flower arranging, making some carrot-tactic flower vases using Easter bunny carrots! Such a fun and colourful activity enjoyed by all.

Our residents’ beautiful Easter garden is now proudly displayed at the front of the home for everyone to admire… a wonderful showcase of their hard work and creativity.

Don’t forget, if you took part in our Easter picture colouring competition, please return your entries to us!

We’ve also put up our Easter decorations ready for the weekend… we hope you all enjoy them as much as we do.