Albany House News

Creative Writing

2012-02-23T22:21:00.000Z

Once upon a time in a Fakenham care home Heather de Lyon came and did a creative writing course which was very interesting and lots of fun. She brought in lots of pictures of different things and everyone picked out pictures they liked and then used the pictures to make up stories. Lauren (carer) has a hidden talent.

John Harris on the Piano

2012-02-23T22:04:00.000Z

John Harris came and entertained on the piano. He did lots of patriotic songs to celebrate the Queen's ascension and then did a musical quiz. We had to name the tunes he played and Renee was quite a star.

Baking Patriotic Buns

2012-02-23T21:55:00.001Z

As well as flower arranging the anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne gave us an excuse to do a bit of baking. The buns had a patriotic flavour and tasted as good as they looked!

The Lady Gardener and Flower Arranging

2012-02-23T21:46:00.003Z

Rita our Lady Gardener has been doing a bit of winter decorating but she is also a talented flower arranger. She came to see us just before the anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne so she did some royal flower arrangements. The crowning glory was a floral crown but everyone had a chance to do an arrangement.

Where did January Go?

2012-02-05T19:03:00.000Z

A warm welcome Joan Mansfield who has joined us from a home in Taverham.

Whilst there is rather a lack of photos to show, we have been busy in January. We've been bowling next door again with Lawrence the champion with 2 strikes. Thanks to everyone that came and helped.

Chat clubs included Chinese New Year, with Donna bringing in Chinese snacks and chopstick to eat them with. It's fun to find out which animal people's birth year is. This year is the year of the dragon. (Donna's is a dragon...!)

We're very lucky to have employed Amy who is very qualified and good at activities and Vicky who is also very good, is doing more.

A rather last minute addition for Burn's night was a bag-piper, Richard, who came in and did the business. Gordon particularly enjoyed it of course, but some of the ladies had quite a giggle trying to catch a glimpse up his kilt. Apologies to those who don't enjoy the bagpipes- it seems you either love them or you don't but either way they're hard to ignore! We had haggis for tea for those that wanted it.

We are sorry to report that Betty Holt passed away in hospital on Christmas day.

Christmas Eve Carols and who is that man?

2011-12-28T20:08:00.002Z

On Christmas eve John Harris came and played carols for us on the piano. It's the 14th year that he's been coming so it's quite a tradition now and it is a really enjoyable occasion with everyone singing along and then enjoying sherry and mince pies. This year we had the added and unexpected treat of Rita's daughter playing along on the flute. Father Christmas put in an appearance with presents for everyone kindly bought by the elves (staff!). Sometimes we worry that Father Christmas might be a bit childish but it is certainly fun and brings a lot of smiles so never mind. He will be investing in a new hat for next year.

The Christmas Party

2011-12-28T19:51:00.003Z

As usual the Christmas party was great fun with lots of friends and relatives coming too. It was actually quite a squeeze with a few jokes about building extensions etc.-maybe next year.....! Patsy Rose entertained and was her usual professional self and despite a cold soldiered on. Thanks to everyone who helped and joined in the merriment, and to the cooks who put on a splendid buffet tea.

Panto Time

2011-12-16T22:04:00.001Z

We borrowed the bus to go to the community centre to watch the Fadlos panto, Cinderella. Thanks to everyone who came and helped.

School Children sing for Christam

2011-12-16T21:46:00.001Z

We've had both the Infant school and the Junior school come and entertain us with their Christmas songs. There were 30 juniors which was a bit of a crowd for us but we all squeezed in.

Christmas Flowers

2011-12-16T21:45:00.001Z

Rita, our 'lady gardener', came in to do some flower arranging with us. It will be good to have some flowers for the Christmas party. She also did the lovely wreath on the car park door.

Christmas Tree Festival at the Church

2011-12-16T21:33:00.000Z

We had a good turnout to visit the Christmas trees. The trees were better than ever this year but it was crowded.

Tiddly Winks

2011-12-07T21:29:00.001Z

Reg and Harry enjoyed a game of tiddlywinks when Donna and Frances hunted through the games cupboard. Dominoes, ludo and lexicon, an old card game, also featured.

Bowling Again

2011-12-07T21:09:00.001Z

We went next door again to enjoy some 10 pin bowling. We're getting better at it and had several strikes. Doreen and Rene came joint first. They had a play off and still got the same number of pins down so we called it a draw.

Christmas Pud

2011-12-07T20:57:00.001Z

Donna and Ashleigh, one of our new apprentice carers, got a team of cooks organised to weigh out the ingredients and then have a good stir of the pud. Health and safety meant no sixpences but lots of wishes were made.

CHRISTMAS PARTY SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2.30 -4 ALL FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WELCOME. PATSY ROSE TO ENTERTAIN.

2011-11-16T21:19:00.001Z

Making the Christmas Cake

2011-11-16T20:55:00.001Z

Donna and Frances got everyone organised to weigh the ingredients and then give them all stir. Lin cooked it and it turned out the best yet. This week we rolled out the marzipan and covered the cake as well as making some little marzipan decorations. Alice from Fakenham College who is doing work experience came and helped.

We are sad to report that Dorothy has passed away peacefully in hospital.

2011-11-15T21:58:00.000Z

Remember, remember Larry's Birthday

2011-11-15T20:55:00.002Z

Timescape came to entertain for Larry's birthday, dressing in 1940's costumes to complement the music. Larry is always our most enthusistic dancer and really enjoyed himself. Lin baked a cake and we all sang Happy Birthday. In the evening Tim let off the fireworks, assisted by David. We decided against setting fire to the guy as we've grown quite fond of him.

Super Bowl

2011-11-01T20:17:00.003Z

For a change of scenery we popped next door for some 10 pin bowling. No strikes but lots of fun and we're going to try and make it a regular thing. Thanks to everyone who came to help.

Penny for the Guy?

2011-11-01T20:08:00.004Z

We had a lot of fun making the Guy. When he was finished he kept popping up all over the place and he's now on the payroll.

Flower Arranging

2011-10-03T18:44:00.003+01:00

Another opportunity to get outside in the glorious weather, flower arranging with Rita was a great success and not just for the ladies! Reg and Larry are shown getting into the spirit of things. Ruby the dog is in the background wanting to join in or at least clear up any leftover biscuits...

Brilliant Computers

2011-09-29T09:42:00.003+01:00

Storm is regularly assisting our Silver Surfers get the most out of the computers. Perhaps the most obviously rewarding aspect is using Skype to see and talk to relatives, but of course there's so much more, keeping up with hobbies and interests, emails and photos etc etc.

Mary has a Skype session with her daughter who is in Leicester every week and is shown chatting about family photos.

OUTSIDE AT LAST

2011-09-29T09:28:00.005+01:00

The garden is accessible at last and Rita the 'Lady Gardener' has been busy putting in the plants in the planters. These are high enough for the residents to do their bit in the future. It's so good to have all the doors open in the hot weather. Donna and Frances held chat club outside and talked about childhood toys, helped along by glove puppets.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENEE

2011-09-29T09:07:00.003+01:00

all

Thanks to the new computers and Skype, Renee started her day by watching and listening to her grandchildren in Dubai singing happy birthday. Aah.

Tommy Thomas came in the afternoon and was a great hit before Lin brought the cake in and we all sang Happy Birthday.

Dorothy also had a birthday recently and spent the day surrounded by family and a display of wonderful flowers. Music and dancing, cake, and singing Happy Birthday followed. Sorry Dorothy but we forgot the camera on the day.

By the Seaside

2011-09-28T20:13:00.002+01:00

Donna and Frances brought their buckets and spades in and enough sand to make sandcastles with. Windmills and flags completed the illusion and Larry dressed for the occasion.

New Beginnings

2011-07-14T20:52:00.003+01:00

July already and the last post embarrassingly in May. So much has happened it's difficult to know where to start. Perhaps the most important thing to mention is that the bulk of the building work is complete and we have expanded to accommodate 28. Thankfully it has been quite easy to find new residents and we are now at 27. A very warm welcome goes to our most recent arrivals, Eileen Mires, Harry Cook, Gwendoline Pearson, Mary Mays and earlier arrivals Doreen Young, Vallee Dewar and Nora Claxton. A special mention to our newest resident Reg Clarke who is an old friend of Albany House. He used to visit his wife Mary daily when we cared for her a year or two ago.

The increase in residents has also meant that we have needed to increase staff numbers. There will now genereally be four carers on during the day, with more at busy times and three waking staff at night. The kitchen is also benefitting from having an assistant.

We hope and believe that we can keep our homely atmosphere and we are still small enough that everyone is very much a person and not a number.

There are still a few things that need finishing with the building work but it is all minor snags now. Getting the garden back in use is the most pressing and will start next week. A big, big thankyou to everyone for their patience and understanding whilst it has all been going on. It has been quite a marathon......

Goodbye Walter

2011-05-02T21:30:00.001+01:00

I am sorry to report that Walter has passed away. He was a true gentleman.

Royal Wedding and George and Edith's Anniversary

2011-05-02T21:21:00.005+01:00

The bunting was up as George and Edith celebrated their 68th Wedding Anniversary at Albany House and William and Kate got married at Westminster Abbey. It was in the depths of war when Leading Stoker George was given leave from the Navy to marry Edith. George said, 'They only gave me 3 days leave and it took me a day and a half to travel from Aberdeen to Sheffield to get married'. 68 years later they celebrated their aniversary, surrounded by family and friends, after watching the Royal Wedding on television. Mr John came to entertain, Pearl baked a cake and we raised a few glasses to both couples. We got the Easter bonnets out too which made the photo more fun.

Easter Time Flower Arrangement

2011-04-27T19:42:00.003+01:00

Rita, also known as the 'Lady Gardener', came and helped us make a beautiful Easter decoration using a branch on which to hang eggs, chicks and other Easter things. She also came back to do small decorations and button-holes for the Royal Wedding and perhaps more importantly George and Edith's 68th wedding anniversary on Friday 29th.

Making the Simnel Cake

2011-04-19T22:18:00.005+01:00

Making a traditional simnel cake for Easter has been a lot of fun, what with the mixing and then the decorating. The end product was quite spectacular.

On the Ball City!

2011-04-03T10:58:00.005+01:00

Inspired by Dick knowing all the words to 'On the Ball City' David organised a boys ride out to Carrow Road to see Norwich play Scunthorpe. Pearl kindly made us some sandwiches which we ate in the car park before finding our seats, Larry and Tim enjoying a trip on a golf buggy to the stadium. Gordon and Duncan had seats near the top of the stand with everyone else right next to the pitch. This was great in the first half with Norwich attacking our end as they were dominant throughout but in the second half they were mostly down the other end. David suggests that the 6-0 score means we must bring luck and have to attend every home match in future! Our thoughts were with Walter, who would have loved to come but was too poorly.

Lambs Ride Out

2011-04-03T10:30:00.010+01:00

We took the bus to see the lambs at Lin and John O'Dell's farm at Tattersett. Mary (carer) came with us. She had helped the O'Dells with lambing in a previous year and so was able to help Lin bring some lambs into the bus for us to cuddle. Pip the sheepdog came too to keep an eye on her charges.

We had intended to have a potter about the country lanes on the way home but someone suggested we go to Hunstanton and the vote was fairly unanimous (sorry Olive!). It was a bright and very breezy day and the wind was blowing clouds of dust across the road which somehow made it a bit more of an adventure. We parked right on the front at Hunstanton and it was deserted. The tide was high with the waves crashing in and the sun was reflecting off the water and I think Dick summed it up when he said ' It makes you glad to be alive'. The only slight downswide was the ice cream kiosk was closed.....

Lunch at Fakenham College

2011-03-30T22:12:00.009+01:00

The students at Fakenham College invited us for a buffet lunch, bingo and a raffle.

Red Nose Day

2011-03-30T22:01:00.010+01:00

The photos say it all -lots of fun and laughs and we raised £189.

Pancake Day

2011-03-11T12:08:00.008Z

Pancake day was a lot of fun. Donna brought in the ingredients a pan and a small electric hob and everyone got the chance to make, cook and toss a pancake and then had the pleasure of eating them too. There were different opinions as to how to make the best batter but they were all edible! The photos show plenty of concentration and laughter but for some reason the camera was set on black and white.

Ride Out to see the Snowdrops

2011-02-23T11:13:00.003Z

A full bus set off on a sunny afternoon to see the snowdrops at Walsingham Abbey. We timed it just right this year and there was a stunning display visible from the bus. We then took the back roads to Wells quay crossing the river ford which was low but still slightly nervewracking! The sea mist was quite in evidence at Wells but the quay was virtually empty so we got a good spot to look out from and the ducks obliged with a flypast. Back to Fakenham and sunshine, along the dry road.

Trees get Trimmed

2011-02-12T22:27:00.002Z

The beech trees have had a trim and had the branches braced. It was quite a spectacle wathcing the tree surgeons climbing about.

Chinese New Year

2011-02-12T22:03:00.003Z

This is the year of the rabbit! Donna brought in some Chinese snacks and chopsticks for everyone to try. Gordon was quite an expert. Looking at everyone's Chinese horoscopes was fun, discovering who was what animal and we then had chinese stir with sweet chilli sauce for lunch.

Marmalade Time

2011-02-12T21:57:00.002Z

It's that time of year again with the bittersweet smell of marmalade oranges being cut up permeating Albany House.

Comic Relief Red Nose Day at Albany House

2011-02-12T20:38:00.002Z

On Friday 18th March we will be joining in the fun raising money for comic relief RED NOSE DAY. Join us at 11am when we will be miming old and new comedians and telling jokes so come and help us out and do something funny for money!!!!

Birthdays in December

2011-01-01T19:38:00.004Z

We wished both Ada and Dorothy very Happy Birthday in December.

THE Christmas Party

2011-01-01T19:15:00.007Z

Despite the cold weather Patsy Rose made it from Norwich to entertain us for the Christmas party.

A conga around the corridor and lounges was great fun and pass the parcel included forfeits. Walter was outstanding singing a line from his favourite nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black sheep.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it such an enjoyable time and to the staff who helped and joined in. A special mention for Pearl for a splendid buffet tea.

PHOTOS AT FLICKR.COM

2011-01-01T19:12:00.001Z

If you would like to see more photos of life at Albany House they can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/albanyhousefakenham

The Infant School and the Juniors Come to Sing

2011-01-01T18:44:00.004Z

We had both the infant school and the Junior school come and give us a show of their Christmas concerts. It was very enjoyable and we fitted in a huge amount of the Juniors. Beryl's great-grandaugther was one of the performers.

Christmas Fun

2011-01-01T18:28:00.004Z

In the run up to Christmas Donna got the ingredients organised to make the pudding and the cake. Everyone had a stir of the pudding and made a wish.

Sylvia is shown with Edna, getting to grips with the marzipan for the cake they had made earlier.

It's BACK!

2011-01-01T18:19:00.002Z

A New Year, new lap-top and new will- power to keep the blog updated!

BINGO

2010-07-14T17:06:00.004+01:00

Storm and Logan are back from their recent sponsored climb up Snowdon. She organised a game of bing ably helpedby Eren, who has come to us for work experience. He'll now be able to put Bingo Caller on his C.V.!

Quoits

2010-07-14T16:59:00.003+01:00

Donna organised a game of quoits with Ada being the champion. She is pictured in action - please note the flying quoit in the picture.

Back in Action!

2010-07-14T16:56:00.002+01:00

I would like to apologise to all followers of the blog for the extended abscence of new material. The longer days and less time on the computer in the evenings is largely to blame with a camera breakdown also adding to the lack of material to publish, but we're back!

Welcome and Goodbye

2010-04-28T13:19:00.002+01:00

We are pleased to welcome Anne Power who has come to stay with us for 2 weeks. We hope you will be very happy at Albany House.

On the staff front we welcome Mary, who will be working the evening shift. Coincidentally she helps the O'Dells, where we go to see the lambs, with their lambing.

We are sorry to report that John Mann has passed away. John was only with us for a short time but we got to know his family well and our thoughts are with them.

St George's Day Fair at the Church

2010-04-28T13:08:00.003+01:00

On a beautiful sunny morning we walked up to the church to see what was on offer at their St George's day fair. It was also farmers' market day so there was plenty of interest on the way with wines and juices to sample as well as the smells and sights of the market. Fakenham Classic car club had some cars on display and Monica fancied a ride in a very smart Jaguar. We were amazed at quite how many people know Dick. On the way home we stopped to chat with some ex-racing greyhounds.

The Buskers

2010-04-28T13:02:00.004+01:00

Donna heard some very good buskers on the street one market day and invited them to come and play at Albany House. Matt and Alex, known as Twisted Roots made a nice change from the usual music we often listen too as they played some great folky tunes on the fiddle and guitar.

Outing to See the Lambs

2010-04-28T12:52:00.004+01:00

We took the bus to see the lambs at Lynn and John O'Dells farm at Tattersett. Lynn brought us an orphan lamb to say hello to everyone in the bus. This worried Pip the sheepdog a lot who would rounded us all up given the chance. We took the long route home, pottering slowly about the lanes to Rudham and then on to Raynham and home.

Goodbye Ida

2010-04-09T20:37:00.002+01:00

We are sorry to report that Ida Benson has passed away at the grand age of 103. Our thoughts are with her family.

Where did you get that hat?

2010-04-09T20:09:00.012+01:00

A craft session with Storm saw the creation of some wonderful Easter bonnets. These were brought out on parade on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, when Patsy Rose came to entertain. We had intended to have a competition but decided just to enjoy wearing them instead. Patsy played some great tunes to sing along and dance to. Walter, our newest resident, brought out his 'bones' and played along expertly. The rest of us did our bit with tambourines.

Comic Relief Mile

2010-03-23T19:16:00.005Z

The Albany House Team of friends relatives staff and residents completed the Comic Relief Mile on Friday 19th March. It took quite an effort to muster everyone for the start but then we were off - up Bridge Street, through the Market Place, down the path to Goggs Mill where we fed the hordes of ducks and hens, past the Garden Centre and then to The Hempton Bell for a well earned rest and drink. Then it was down the river on the final stretch past Wensum Mill. Donna shook the bucket at anyone and everyone we met and sponsorship and well-wishers took the total to an impressive £154.49. A very warm thank you to everyone that helped and contributed to what was a fun and rewarding day.

Welcome

2010-02-28T20:01:00.001Z

We are very pleased to welcome David Maufe to Albany House. We hope you enjoy being with us.

Snowdrops Outing

2010-02-28T19:56:00.003Z

Our first outing of the year took us to Walsingham to to see the snowdrops. We timed it well as they looked to be in full bloom. The weather was kind to us - not sunny but at least milder than we've been used to recently. To extend the trip we crossed the ford at Little Walsingham and then went on to Wells. We spent a few moments on the quay looking at the boats and then headed for home.

Jewellery Workshop

2010-02-28T19:48:00.004Z

The jewellery workshop was a great success. It was quite fiddly work but the residents produced some fine bracelets. The beads are magnetic so that they cling together on the wrist without a catch. Pictured are a few of the proud jewellers!

Chinese New Year

2010-02-20T19:04:00.005Z

Donna brought in a selection of Chinese snacks and some chopsticks and we had a laugh with Chinese horoscopes. Betty's year is the dog so we did a lot of barking, Monica's a monkey - Betty's pictured being a monkey and Olive had everyone in stitches with her cock a doodle do as she's a Rooster!

Pancake Day

2010-02-20T18:53:00.005Z

Pancake day brought out some talented pancake tossers! Next year we'll get the staff to race down the corridor....

Nobody had plans for giving up anything for lent though.

Hello and Goodbye

2010-02-14T19:21:00.002Z

We are sorry to report that Marion Lord has passed away.

We are happy to welcome Kenneth Philbrick to Albany House, who has joined us from Cranmer House.

Flutissimo

2010-02-10T09:51:00.004Z

Two ladies and their flutes came and gave us a very professional concert in the big lounge. They then went round the bedrooms of those who couldn't get down and played a piece to everyone that wanted to hear one.

John Harris - Piano man!

2010-02-10T09:45:00.004Z

John Harris came to play the piano for us. His repertoire is amazing and he can play most things by ear. (This is one of many talents as he can speak no end of languages too!) A special request from Sylvia was The Blue Danube that went down very well.

Gradeners at Work

2010-02-10T09:36:00.002Z

We're getting ready for the summer and overhauling the garden. We've started on the bit along the road side and will do the rest once the builders have moved on. Donna's friend Rita and Nick have been putting in sleepers which will give a good edge to the border and allow us to put in more compost as it's very dry in the summer. Plans are for fragrant roses, colourful grasses and ornamental trees with a good scattering of bulbs. Once the builders' hut has gone we will put in a proper raised bed so that everyone can get their hands dirty.

Flower Arranging with Jane

2010-02-05T18:46:00.000Z

Jane organised a flower arranging session and Betty H., Monica, Edna and Dorothy made their own arrangement. These will be displayed either in the lounges or dining room.

Sticky Business

2010-02-05T18:39:00.000Z

It's the marmalade season again and Donna, helped by Heather got a cooking crew together to chop, shred and squeeze the oranges. After warning everyone to be careful Donna managed to cut herself!

Forthcoming Events for February and March

2010-01-31T18:08:00.000Z

We have the usual programme of events and activities which are advertised on the monthly 'What's On' chart available by the front door. The 'specials' that friends and relatives might like to come and enjoy are:

February

Tuesday 9th at 2.30- 2 ladies, Flutissimo, coming to play the flute.
Monday 22nd at 11 am - Jewellery workshop with Tina Coleman.

March

Friday 12th March - Air of Dignity, a perfume sampling event, with classic and modern fragrances. There are free samples but they will also be for sale if any one is interested, (Mothering Sunday on the following Sunday) but absolutely no pressure!

Friday 19th March - Sport Relief - Staff, residents, friends and relatives welcome. We will be doing a sponsored mile walk through the town and down by the river with a stop for refreshments at Hempton Bell. Wheelchair pushers very welcome. Sponsorship forms available from Albany House.

Goodbye

2010-01-28T19:29:00.000Z

We are sorry to report that Mary has passed away. Our thoughts are with Reg and his family.

Cool-Hand Monica

2010-01-27T18:17:00.000Z

Storm and Logan the dog came today and got a card school together. They had a lot of fun and Monica was a natural. No cheating, though we think Sylvia had something up her sleeve, but then maybe that was a tissue.....

Logan is a 'pat' dog and comes every Wednesday morning to get fussed by the residents. Storm, as well as bringing Logan, has also been helping the residents to get scrap-books together and otherwise entertain.
Logan the Dog

Burns Night

2010-01-25T19:46:00.001Z

We celebrated Burns Night in style. In the morning Donna held a Scottish themed chat club. One guess for what Monica most associates with Scotland - Whisky!

After a lunch of haggis, skirlie mirlie (mashed potato and turnip with milk and butter) and bashed neeps, Gordon, our resident Scot, dressed very smartly for the occasion in his Mackenzie tartan. Ken also dressed for the occasion but in more of a light-hearted manner - more of a naughty schoolboy look! We sang Scottish songs and Ken sang and recited poetry, some of which needed translation by Gordon. Since we'd already eaten the haggis we 'piped in' some shortbread to go with a cup of tea.

Building Work

2010-01-22T20:21:00.000Z

At long last the first phase of the building work is nearing completion. It will be a real joy to have the conservatory and more lounge space available again and to be re-connected with the cottages. We will have to have a temporary covered link on the front of the building while we do the next phase of the job which is to build a new lift shaft where the staff office is at present and a dining room where the courtyard is. Anyone who has used our old lift will know that it's of an age and is not exactly as user -friendly as it could be.

Welcome

2010-01-22T20:20:00.000Z

We are very pleased to welcome Edna Walker to Albany House.

Goodbye to good friends

2010-01-08T22:28:00.001Z

It is with sadness that I have to report that Rosemary and Phyllis have passed away. They were both characters and will be missed by everyone at Albany. We wish their families well and we will also miss seeing them.

Christmas and New Year 09

2010-01-05T21:10:00.000Z

Christmas and New Year 09

The build up to Christmas included baking the cake and making the pudding. Donna got things organised and with a little inspration from Delia the cake was made over 4 weeks. First the cake was made, then marzipanned, then iced and then decorated using coloured marzipan to create a beautiful poinsettia flower. Gordon, Olive and Betty H used the left over marzipan to make marzipan sweets, either for themselves or for presents.

Making the pudding included everyone having a stir and making a wish.

We went to the church for the famous Fakenham Christmas tree festival. It was quite a spectacle as ever and because we went on a Thursday we enjoyed seeing the market stalls on the way there and back.

Pearl, Peggy, Betty and Jennifer enjoy the Winter sun on Bridge Street

We were worried that, due to the building work we would be pushed for space at the residents' christmas party but the snowy weather meant a lot of people didn't make it. Luckily Patsy Rose and her guitar did manage to get there and we had a great time. As well as song and dance we had pass the parcel which for some unlucky people meant a forfeit. Pictured is Dorothy, really getting into the swing of things and acting like a monkey! Sylvia really enjoyed herself too.

On Christmas eve John Harris came as usual to play Carols on the piano. Father Christmas actually failed to make an appearance this year as he hadn't managed to organise presents for everyone in time. Never mind, better luck /organisation next year!

We forgot the camera on New Years eve but Tim and Donna came for the party and we gathered in the big lounge for music and games and a glass or two. The CD with Auld Langsyne on went wrong but we didn't need modern technology and managed to hold hands and give a good rendition anyway.

For some reasdon the camera decided to take this photo of Maria and Betty C in black and white.