Activities at Harton Grange Care Home

We had a wonderful time today with our friends from year 8 class from Park View School, who came to visit us at Harton Grange. They brought some beautiful butterflies that they had raised from caterpillars, and we helped them release them into our garden.

It was such a joy to see the colourful wings fluttering in the air, and to hear the children's laughter. Sarah and Abby, their teachers, were very kind and helpful. Joseph, one of the students, read a lovely poem about peace. We are so grateful for this opportunity to connect with the younger generation and share our stories and experiences. Thank you for brightening our day!

P.S. I spotted some Painted Lady Butterflies in our garden this morning... maybe they liked it here and decided to stay...
 

Across our services we had a lovely time joining Rhiannon Watkinson from the RAF Museum London for an interactive talk exploring the exciting and innovative aviation history of Hendon.

Our residents were able to learn about the first flights from the fields at Hendon, the creation of the London Aerodrome and Battle of Britain pilots who flew from RAF Hendon.

The talk also included photographic and film material from the Museum’s archive. Residents across our homes had a fantastic time and we truly enjoyed the virtual experience.

Residents across our services had a delightful time during a special virtual sensory storytelling event, led by Art Historian Jon Sleigh from the Historic Royal Palaces.

Jon took us on a journey to discover some of the more unusual and unexpected inhabitants of the palaces and the Tower of London, sharing fascinating stories about the pets at the palaces.

Whilst enjoying the virtual experience, our residents were treated to hot beverages, delicious biscuits, berries and cakes.  It was a truly lovely time for all.

We had a great time at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland! It was a perfect sunny day, with no clouds in sight. We felt like we were in summer, even though it was spring. We got to watch a glass making demonstration and learn about the history of glass making in Sunderland.

We were amazed by the Pyrex story and how it became a household name across the British Empire. We also saw some beautiful glass art being made by talented artists. It was mesmerizing to see how they shaped and colored the glass.

We ended our day with a picnic by the shore, enjoying the calm sea and the blue sky. It was a wonderful day out with friends!
 

What a fantastic night it was! We had the privilege of watching Elvis perform live in a special tribute show to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Elvis was amazing, he sang all his classic hits and made us feel like we were back in the 50s and 60s. He even invited Anne to join him on stage and sing a duet with him. She was over the moon! Winifred couldn't stop dancing to his rock and roll tunes, and Irene got a special birthday surprise when Elvis gave her his scarf and sang Happy Birthday to her. We all got a kiss from the King of Rock and Roll and felt his charisma and charm. It was more than wonderful, it was unforgettable!
 

Celebrations have been in full swing at Harton Grange, as Irene reaches her centenary in style. We sang happy birthday to Irene early morning of 6th May and she was so happy and grateful.

Irene was surrounded by her loving family and friends who celebrated her amazing life. She was so happy and grateful that she hugged and kissed everyone, especially her daughters Denise and Anne.

Irene has a wonderful soul and a fantastic sense of humour. She always makes people laugh, even on bad days. She is much loved and respected by everyone who knows her. Our chef made a special cake for her, which she enjoyed very much. The pictures show how joyful and beautiful the day was. We are so lucky to have Irene in our Harton Grange family. Happy birthday, Irene!