We were delighted to learn about Chinese culture and celebrations for Chinese New Year, thanks to resident Chung and his friend Ka-Yee. Chung demonstrated some calligraphy and Ka-Yee provided a very interesting Zoom talk. We decorated the Ashby House dining room to fit the occasion and enjoyed delicious Chinese-style food prepared by our Chef and kitchen team. What a lovely day we all had!

Happy International Women’s Day! Today celebrates the achievement of women’s rights, equality and respect for the women in our lives. At Ashby House our Manager, Wojciech, recognised the women in our home by giving them each a tulip which represents love. We thought these would be perfect because we love our residents and wanted to show our gratitude to them for all the amazing things they have done in their lives. Our female residents have lived very diverse experiences as teachers, farmers, nurses, lorry drivers, women who bravely helped with the war effort, and women who were home makers. We thank them all today for sharing their rich histories with us.

Residents at Ashby House were pleasantly surprised to see cats and rabbits roaming around their big screen recently, thanks to a Zoom talk by staff at HULA Animal Rescue in Aspley Guise. They care for animals until new homes can be found for them and we listened keenly as staff told us the history of the charity since it opened in 1971. They care for cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry. Ashby House resident Glennis was very excited and told us about her own experience with cats as she and her husband, David, who also lives at Ashby House used to breed them. We are happy to say that most of the animals we saw already had new homes lined up while others had only just begun their journey to find a happy ending to their story.

Residents at Ashby House in Milton Keynes were delighted to listen to a talk on Zoom by volunteers from the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney. We felt we got to know Olney really well thanks to the beautiful pictures of the Old Vicarage, where John Cowper composed 'Amazing Grace', and the Old Mill which is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. We also learned about the stunning church of St Peter and St Paul, built in 1325, which is the finishing point for the famous Olney Pancake Race, first held in 1445. Many Ashby House residents are interested in history - Rose was particularly interested in the stained glass windows in the church. We hope to visit Olney when we can go out in our minibus again.

Ashby House shared the love with the local community this Valentine’s Day by taking hampers full of treats to the staff and patients at Milton Keynes Hospital and to staff and residents at Extracare’s Shenley Wood and Lovat Fields Retirement Villages. They were all thrilled to receive such a lovely gift and thanked us for the hamper of Valentine’s Day themed goodies and the cards made and signed by Ashby House residents. Shenley Wood is going to raffle the hamper for one or more lucky residents to enjoy.

Residents at Ashby House enjoyed a Valentine’s Day afternoon tea with their spouses. The dining room was decorated with hearts and flowers, and romantic music was playing in the background. Resident couple, David and Glennis, loved the sandwiches, scones, cakes and sweets served to them at their table with their afternoon cup of tea. Other residents were assisted to connect online with their partners at home, including Chung who ate his tea while chatting to his wife, Joyce, on Zoom, and John who enjoyed a virtual celebration with his wife, Denise. It was a lovely afternoon.