Celebrating life at Barchester

Maurice and Shirley recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary at Magnolia Court Care Home, and it was a lovely opportunity to reflect on their remarkable life together.

The couple first met at just 16 years old at a Jewish Youth camp in Swanage in the summer of 1952. Despite Shirley living in Dublin, their relationship quickly blossomed. Maurice would travel long distances to see her, cycling over 20 miles when she was visiting family in Liverpool and even catching the ferry to Dublin while she was still at school.

They married on 27th March 1960 at Hampstead Synagogue and went on to build a happy family life together, raising three children in their first home on the Golders Green Estate.

Both Maurice and Shirley enjoyed long and fulfilling careers. Maurice worked for the BBC, the Jewish Observer and later the Financial Times, while Shirley devoted her working life to social work and caring for others, later also becoming a bereavement counsellor and talented quilter.

We are privileged to have Maurice and Shirley living with us at Magnolia Court. They are a wonderful couple, and it is clear to everyone who knows them that they are still very much in love.

We had such great fun today welcoming our newest entertainer - The Funky Fiddler! What an afternoon it was!

From lively Cockney classics to beautiful Chinese love songs, he truly enthralled everyone with his incredible playing. There was toe-tapping, singing along, and plenty of smiles all around.

We look forward to seeing James again.     

We enjoyed a very chilly trip exploring Coblands Garden Centre & Café 

Andrea took her time looking at all the beautiful plants, carefully choosing the perfect one to brighten up her room. After much consideration (and a little bit of admiring everything!), she picked out a gorgeous new plant and the perfect pot to match. 

We look forward to visiting again when it’s a bit warmer and brighter.    

With the beautiful weather came the opportunity to get out and about in our stunning grounds, as well as taking the opportunity to wander through the park and to the church. 

Mixed with regular minibus trips to destinations as varied as Ayscoughfee Museum, The Six Bells Country Pub and Pennells Garden Centre; we really do try to have something for everyone! 

This month we welcomed back Guildhall trained singer and star of the stage Gabriella Pineda-Rodrigues, very much a firm favourite of our residents. Sheila Stubley said. "Gabriella always hits the right tone, and sings so beautifully to us all."  We shared a wonderful afternoon reminiscing about our favourite songs as Gabriella took us on a trip down memory lane. Another resident said, "Be My Love, by Mario Lanza, was my father's favourite song. It was lovely to hear it again." 

The room was full and the residents and staff were entranced. Thank you Gabriella for once again bringing something so beautiful to our home.        

Residents were overjoyed to welcome back their favourite equine visitor, Darwin from Comfort Horse Therapies, and his handler Brenda, who spent the afternoon bringing smiles and contentment to so many of our residents. 

The benefit of animal therapy has been extensively researched, and has been proven to promote good mental and emotional health as well as have a positive effect on physical wellbeing. At The Cedars Care Home, we have pet therapy every month to support our residents, both nursed in bed and active in the community. The photos say it all!    

We were pleased to see the spring sunshine, and so we enjoyed a walk to the village pond. It was lovely to see the spring blooms and daffodils, as well as seeing new life with the blossoms appearing on the trees. 

Residents enjoyed sitting and relaxing watching the swans and ducks, listening to the sound of the birds chattering away to each other. 
We are so lucky to have such a lovely spot on our doorstep.      

The residents enjoyed keeping fit with Mark from U-Sit exercise in our exercise to the music session.

Not only are these classes good for improving our residents' mobility, balance and strength, but a great way to boost confidence also. 

We finished off with a little fun ball skills game to help our co-ordination.       

Throughout one of the most delicious weeks of the year, as well as our talented chefs preparing various meat pies, residents got involved in a themed baking session making their favourite apple and blackberry pies, and tasty apple strudel.

We had a fabulous afternoon, and it was lovely to have family members stay and roll up their sleeves to join in the fun.