Care home folk celebrate Valentine’s Day

Residents of Colten Care homes put their whole hearts into spreading love on Valentine’s Day - sharing romantic meals, red roses and even sending caring messages to strangers.

At Avon Reach in Mudeford staff decorated the home with love hearts and invited residents to tuck into a high tea. A raffle on the day raised funds for Macmillan Caring Locally.

At Brook View in West Moors, resident couple Trevor and Pam Clark enjoyed the romantic-themed meal in the dining room and all residents made delicate paper roses to decorate the lounge.

At Avon Cliff in Bournemouth the dining room was transformed into a concert hall and residents enjoyed heart-shaped foods and a glass of bubbly with music from harpist Emmy Broughton.

Brian Levy said: “It is so important that older people still get the opportunity to enjoy beautiful, romantic, live music and this was such a wonderful afternoon and way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

Susan Kennard agreed: “I enjoyed this afternoon so much. The music reminded me of my childhood and to share this with my husband on Valentine’s Day was wonderful.”

At Whitecliffe House in Blandford, staff delivered roses and sweets to all residents, including the gentlemen.

Sybil Fish said: “What a wonderful surprise! It’s beautiful.”

Ronald Burnham agreed: “I’m very touched. That’s truly lovely.”

In the afternoon, residents came together to listen to favourite love songs and share memories of Valentine’s Day and loved ones.

Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst staged an ‘Art With Heart’ exhibition featuring works by residents to represent love. The home invited Brockenhurst Primary School, Brockenhurst College and other Colten New Forest homes to contribute entries too.

Guests attending the show also had the chance to enjoy a heart-themed afternoon tea. Donations went to the Honeypot charity for young carers.

At Belmore Lodge in Lymington, pianist Mark Busell entertained residents at a Valentine themed afternoon tea. Residents also made heart decorations featuring photos and wording about loved ones which were put on display on a ‘Sweetheart Tree’ in the home.

Residents at Court Lodge in Lymington took a communitythemed approach to Valentine’s Day.

In a ‘random act of kindness’ Companion team leader Julia Puia, Companion Andrea Rixon and residents Joan Stedman, Eileen Drake and Mary Roberson wrote messages with loving words, and after attaching them to roses, shared them with the community in nearby Woodside Park.

And at Kingfishers in New Milton, residents enjoyed a Valentine’s party live entertainment from the Land Girls, a sherry and wine social, a special lunch and a bingo afternoon.

Health & Wellbeing

n from azaleas to zinnias. The raffle includes a £100 Cherry Tree Nursery voucher and there are many other prizes.

Off New roundabout, Northbourne, Saturday, March 18, 8am - 3pm.

Town hands allotment to community volunteers

Ferndown Community Support

CIC, founders of Ferndown Community Larder and Food Bank, are delighted with their new community allotment awarded by the town council. The group’s Hannah Hobbs-Chell said: “What a brilliant asset to the group, and to the Food Bank+, enabling us to not only provide fresh fruit and veg, but also a teaching and learning space for growing your own. Thank you Ferndown Town Council for the opportunity to further benefit the community in so many ways”. The plot, intended for community use and benefit, will be a rich asset and volunteers are being sought to get the ground growing.

Ferndown mayor Lawrence Wilson said: “Ferndown Town Council are delighted to have been able to provide this allotment. The group have done so much to help those in need in our community and it’s great to be able to offer them our support. “We look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour.”

If you are interested in the work of FCS, volunteering, sponsoring, or needing support, visit ferndowncommunitysupport. org.uk, telephone 01202 936121 or email info@ferndown communitysupport.org.uk.

Latest news from West Moors group

West Moors Flower Group held their AGM followed by a dried demonstration by Becca from Brothers Farm.

Chairman Sue Pavitt presented £325 to Chris Lee from the Trussell Trust for the Ringwood Food Bank from money raised at the charity table.

On March 15, Matt Bailey from Buds and Beans will talk on ‘From Florist To Home’. Meetings are at 10am on the third Wednesday of each month at the Memorial Hall and all are welcome.

For details, contact Catherine on 01202 876441.

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