A Dorset dementia care home held a beach themed garden party to celebrate its 21st anniversary coupled with the opening of a new multi-functional summerhouse.
Residents, relatives, staff, neighbours and community friends all enjoyed the fun of the double celebration at Colten Care’s The Aldbury in Poole.
Home Manager Martin Corrigan certainly made a splash by taking the ‘throw-the-sponge-at-a-member-of staff’ opportunity up a gear.
On hearing that he could take aim and throw a wet sponge at Martin for just £1, Steve Selway, a resident’s husband, joined the lengthening queue and joked: “How much for the whole bucket?”.
With Martin’s good grace, Steve then dispensed with the chance of target practice from a distance, picked up the bucket and deluged him in an overhead cascade of cold water to much laughter all round.
“I had to brace myself for a freezing cold shower moment but it was all fine,” said Martin.
As well as the sponge game, party guests had fun at a coconut shy and danced and sang along to music from singer Tyler. And a sand pit proved a great draw for children attending.
The party also featured a naming ceremony for the home’s new summer house which has taken pride of place in one of its gardens.
Residents were invited to suggest names beforehand with winning entry The Retreat put forward by Tony Husband.
He was joined at the ceremony by guests of honour The Mayor and Mayoress of Poole, Pete and Katie Miles.
The Retreat is designed for a range of activities including arts and crafts sessions and meetings of the residents’ gardening club. It will also serve as a private space for birthday parties and relatives’ visits.
Guests at the anniversary party enjoyed a barbecue and afternoon tea with a home made 21st birthday cake.
The event raised £210 for The Aldbury residents’ main charity of the year, Dorset-based Wildlife in Need, which was well represented among the guests.
Resident Tony said: “We all had a lovely day. There was great music, just what we needed, and it was very much a family day.”
Home Manager Martin added: “It was a superb afternoon and an ideal chance to have fun and celebrate 21 years of serving our community among friends old and new.
“The focus for The Aldbury is just as it was when we opened in 2003. It’s all about supporting people with dementia to live well. The Retreat is a lovely space that will help us do exactly that.”
