Winter festivities

December has been a very busy month. Early on, we were visited by a staff member from the Old Warden bird of prey sanctuary, who brought with him some owls and small falcons.

. These were hand tame enabling residents and staff to get up close to stroke them, as well as gaining some fascinating insights into the lives of these birds.

Through the month we have had visits from musicians and outings to the garden centre and the theatre which everyone enjoyed. 

Next came a 90th. birthday party for one of our residents who is a keen dancer, so our cook made him this cake.

We also held a Christmas tea party for residents and their families. This is always a popular occasion and a great opportunity for the different families to get together, to meet others who have similar hopes and expectations for the care of their mother or father.

 Food is provided by our cooks and volunteers who give up their time to come in and serve or socialise on these occasions as well as the many other ways in which they offer us help and support.

We managed a few bright frosty days before the rain came back to dampen our spirits. Normally Merlin will go for a walk in the garden with anybody, but here he is fluffed up and looking stubborn. He has staked out a mouse hole and is just wishing we would all go away.... 

...and so we do. Those residents willing to brave the cold have some lovely views in our gardens.

We have managed to have a splendid Christmas in which nobody was struck down with any ghastly bugs, families took residents out or came in to join them for lunch. A good time was had by all.

Happy new year to all our bog readers!

November 2012 
We are having a glorious autumn. The trees in the garden have been spectacular - there has been a lot of mist but not a lot of mellow fruitfulness this year.

On the inside residents have been busy making the most of opportunities to celebrate. Some have made biscuits for the coffee morning which everyone attends once a month, for a chat with friends, a change of scene or just for the special chocolate biscuits.

 Two weeks ago we held an Italian evening, courtesy of Anna, the home's deputy manager. She cooked an Italian evening meal for our thirty residents and a number of Italian guests, who in their turn provided some wine and entertainment. 

  

Residents sang, danced, ate and drank the evening away, finishing up with a quiz on all things Italian. A very good time was had by all
and we are most grateful to all who helped to make it  possible.

Coming up we are planning outings, visits by owls, theatre trips and doubtless more parties.
  

harvest tide

The summer is fading fast but we still have lots to look forward to.
After celebrating Harvest festival last week, we made Sunday lunch a bit special for no other reason than that we felt like celebrating some more.
We have suffered the same poor crops in our garden as everyone else. The apple and plum trees have produced very little fruit, but we have had some fine raspberries for residents to enjoy.

Residents have recently held a French cheese and wine evening which was very successful. Volunteers came to help and to join in with residents, listening to french music, sampling various wines and cheeses.  Everyone stayed up late Later this month we will be holding an Italian evening. 
Unfortunately, when we have been out and about lately, we have forgotten to take the camera with us, so there is nothing to see of  our trips to Olney market or other activities.
We will make sure that we do not forget it again. Meanwhile here is Merlin contemplating a duck on the lake during our daily walk to visit the hens. 

   

Summer rain and better days
Sadly, our garden parties had to be held in less than ideal conditions. The staff of the home held their first garden party on a Friday evening in monsoon conditions, but nobody minded.
The next day, we held a second party for residents and their families. The continued poor weather meant the day was a bit of a challenge for the organisers but once again, everyone enjoyed the day. The excellent food provided by cooks and volunteers, being a good substitute for sunshine.
However, we had good weather for our own Olympics competition day.  This was organised as an entry to the national competition held by NAPA. (the National Association for Provision of Activities for older people.)
Residents and staff took part enthusiastically and we had a fun day.

 We started with a Boccia competition (this is like Boule but sitting down). Some people became quite competitive....

After the Boccia, came the welly wanging competition which was adapted for all comers. 

The morning competitions were rounded off with a medal ceremony of chocolate medals

In the afternoon we all danced until some could dance no more and sat down for tea and cake.

Since that busy day we have been outside in the garden making the most of the arrival of summer. The former sportsmen and women among our residents are now looking forward to the real Olympics.

Flaming June:

In spite of the miserable weather residents have still managed to enjoy themselves. During Ascot week, some of the ladies made fascinators to wear on Ladies day. People dressed up, had a glass of bucks fizz and sat with their race cards to watch the horses and the Queen on TV.

We had bets on hats and horses, while being served with a dainty afternoon tea.
In the last few weeks we have been watching the progress of 13 quail eggs as they hatched and produced fluffy chicks.

  
Residents have been involved in  looking after them and it has been an interesting project so far.

On the better days we are still able to get out in the garden and we welcome visits from families and friends and others in the community.

Coming up, we will shortly be holding our garden party for residents and their families. We are keeping everything crossed for dry weather!

Jubilations

This week, like everyone else, we have been celebrating the Queen's jubilee . Staff and residents have been making things to decorate the home.... 

....but while the good weather lasted, they have filled the planters with new annuals for the garden and relaxed after with gin and tonic on the terrace.

....when the weather turned bad for the jubilee weekend, we held a tea party, waved flags and attended a patriotic theatre production at the Corn Exchange in Bedford.
Here is Merlin trying to get to grips with the flag waving

In the near future, we will be entering a competition run by NAPA.

This is an organisation dedicated to providing activities for people in care homes, training staff and giving ideas. The competition is based around physical exercise, so we will be having an Olympics day. Some of the residents have been toning up already, but it is all meant to be good fun. 

May 2012

At last it feels like summer, if only for a short while and residents are able to spend more time in the garden.

This coming week they will be replanting their tubs with flowers to decorate the terrace through until autumn. David, one of our kind volunteers, will be helping them to choose plants and maintain the tubs.
The final sum for our sponsored walk is £250. Our thanks to so many who contributed. Using this sum to good purpose will be our new activities organiser, Margaret. We are pleased to welcome her to the team . She has already made a difference and is creating new interests among our residents.

This week, we celebrated the 100th birthday of
Mr. Freddy Stevens.

 The home arranged a party for him and his family in the garden. Happily the weather was very kind. 

Freddy sat like royalty all afternoon, surrounded by friends and relations. "the secret to being 100" he says "is to keep breathing!"

just walking in the rain

Last Saturday, 21st. April,  Greensleeves Homes Trust, the charity which owns Sharnbrook House, organised a sponsored walk from every one of it's homes.  In spite of appeals to relatives, friends and staff, only two of us took up the challenge. Emma, her two dogs and I walked 9 miles from Sharnbrook, through Odell, Harrold, Felmersham and back to Sharnbrook. 

At Harrold it started to rain and we took a coffee and cake break

...and so did the dogs

                                             ......then the sun came out again.
In all we raised about £160 for residents outings and activities  and had a pleasant walk instead of working.

For those who have been following Merlin's exploits, he caught a grass snake this week, which vigorously defended itself but was played with until staff caught it and released it into the long grass. We originally purchased this type of cat as they have the reputation of being relaxed and of not being great hunters. Obviously he has not got the message yet. Here he is relaxing.

In March, Greensleeves held its annual award ceremony.
This year  at the Oval. In the past Sharnbrook House has won awards for efforts to protect the environment. We recycle everything. This year the efforts of our gardeners were recognised,  

the but it is not just about the work they do to keep things presentable and productive; it is also about the facility the garden provides to residents and the community, as those who have attended the church fete will be aware.

spring

Early most mornings I take a walk down the garden with the cat, to let out the chickens, check out the plants and chill out before that start of the day. There is a lot of wildlife and some good photo-opportunities

Residents have been enjoying the unseasonable sunshine and spending a lot of time in the garden. Here they are having coffee and a giggle with staff who brought in some wigs to try on.

On Wednesday, a harpist came to play for us while residents enjoyed a traditional cream tea in the garden.

 Our sponsored walk takes place on 21st. April and we are hoping that a good number of families and friends will get sponsored and come with us.