Royal well-wishers at care homes in the south have marked the King’s official birthday with a host of festive celebrations.
Residents and staff at Colten Care’s 21 homes in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and West Sussex rolled out the red, white and blue bunting, sang, danced and clapped along to music and held special afternoon teas and other get-togethers.
At Fernhill, a dedicated dementia care home in Longham near Bournemouth, the dance floor was full as visiting entertainer Kelly Lorraine performed some of residents’ favourite singalong tunes.
“It was wonderful,” said resident Monica Milne-Leigh. “Music makes moments of happiness for people.”
Heathcare Assistant Ann Xavier said: “Seeing residents enjoy themselves and share laughter with their loved ones who came along made the day very rewarding.”
Residents at Brook View in West Moors did some advance planning for the birthday by making their own Union Jack brooches and upcycling an old chest of drawers into a ‘regal’ piece of furniture complete with peacock-patterned wallpaper.
As the piece went on display, resident Ann Larkin said: “It was a lot of fun to do and nice to see everyone working together.”
At Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, residents gathered for a special afternoon tea wearing sparkly crowns they had decorated a few days before in an arts and crafts session.
As they tucked into a spread of sausage rolls, sandwiches, scones, Union Jack cupcakes and a royal birthday cake, they discussed fun facts and trivia about King Charles gathered by team members.
Home Manager Anna Edwards said: “It was wonderful to see everyone having such a great time together.”
Several Colten Care residents have personal Royal connections. They include Eve Walsh-Waring, now living at Abbey View in Sherborne, who worked at Buckingham Palace in the 1990s, and Louisa McIntyre, a resident at Belmore Lodge in Lymington. Louisa is a former society milliner whose clients included Queen Elizabeth, the King’s late mother.
Royal birthday celebrations at other Colten Care homes included singalongs, quizzes, street party-type lunches and ‘best of Britain’ buffets.
Guests from community organisations were among those joining residents, families, friends and team members for the occasion.
Other homes involved included Canford Chase in Poole, Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, Amberwood House in Ferndown and Avon Cliff in Bournemouth.
