wellburn newsletter autumn/winter 2011

Swimming is widely regarded asone of the best ways to exercise,

particularly amongst the elderly, as it helps different partsof the body all at once.

We always try to encourage exercise at our Homes as itkeeps the body and mind active and we all know thatkeeping fit is important for our well being andindependence. Stimulation, a good diet and regular exercise,can all help to keep the body and mind active and healthyand the best bit is, it can be a lot of fun as shown here byresidents at Glenholme House.

Residents from Nightingale Hall and Grimston Court proved they were no ‘landlubbers’ when they were invited onboard a ship specifically designed to enable people with disabilities to sail.

They were special guests of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a registered charity that operates the only two tall ships in theworld to be specially designed to enable people of all physical abilities to sail.

They were given a tour of the JST’s flagship vessel, the Lord Nelson, after it docked in Whitby Harbour. The residentswere able to see how the 54.7m ship works, as well as asking questions of the crew.

Sarah Davies, from the JST, said: “We are delighted that the residents enjoyed their tour of the Lord Nelson andwe look forward to offering this opportunity to others in the future. The oldest person that has sailed with us sofar was 98 and visits like these help to spread the word that people can enjoy coming aboard our ships regardlessof age or physical ability.

Our latest Red Cross open days raised £856 for thevolunteer-led humanitarian organisation. A total of£2,196.00 raised to date!!This year, Grimston Court and Eighton Lodgeopened their private gardens to members of thepublic and both events were very successful. RareAugust sunshine meant there was an excellentattendance and with people paying £4 for entryto the gardens, a cream tea, entertainment, raffleand tour of the Home; it meant a good sum wasraised for the British Red Cross.Grimston Court Manager Pam Simpkin, said: “Wepride ourselves on the quality of our gardens sowe were only too delighted to open them up tothe public, in aid of such a worthwhile charity likethe British Red Cross.Eighton Lodge Manager Mary Hardy said: “Timesare difficult at the moment so we are pleased tostill have been able to raise so much money andwe would like to thank everyone who supportedthe event.”

Jubilee Sailing Trust Tour of Lord Nelson -

RedCross

Keep fit

Welcome to the Wellburn newsletter. Winter may now be upon us, but as you will see we wereincredibly busy over the summer months, with various events, activities and charity days. In this issue we alsohave many more life stories of our residents. I personally love reading about the fascinating lives of the peoplein our Homes and I hope you enjoy them and the rest of the newsletter too.

Summer & Autumn News 2011

Birds of prey p6 Moonstruck in Richmond p13 Painting the town red p14 Choir practice p17

WCH New Newsletter Autumn 2011 AW 11.11.e$S_Layout 1 29/11/2011 15:32

Head Office News www.wellburn-carehomes.co.uk Tel: 0191 229 3530

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When did you join Wellburn and why a CareHome Company?

I worked for a Care Provider before commencingemployment with Wellburn in September 1988, theyhad only been operating for a year and were about toopen their second Home Whorlton Grange. Thispresented me with a new and exciting challenge.

Dorothy Savile

If you could go anywhere in the world wherewould it be?

India to visit the Taj Mahal, old/New Delhi and alsoChina to walk the great wall.

What are your aspirations for the Company?

To continue to grow in strength and I would also liketo see one of our Homes in the North East become acentre of excellence for people with dementia.

What is your favourite classic movie of all time?

The wizard of Oz “I see my red slippers have justbeen auctioned”

If you could time travel, what era would you go to?

I love dancing, so the 1920’s where I could have beena flapper enjoying dances like the Shimmy, Charlestonand the Black Bottom.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Visit museums. Stately homes + Gardens. My last visitwas to Seaton Delaval hall which the grand hall is stillunder renovation following a fire. The British museumin London is fantastic.

What is your favourite car?

My favourite car I have owned was a Volvo back in1978, I now look for a car which provides goodmileage and that I like the look of. I have no aspirationsto own an expensive car.

In the care industry what do you think is animportant thing to remember?

Never forget you are there to care.To provide residents with the highest standards ofpersonal care possible and to remember they had alife prior to living in a care home.

If you could give any advice to a young childwhat would it be?

By all means enjoy yourself, but remember you are onlyin education for a short period of your life, make themost of that time to study and gain qualifications,which will be invaluable for your future.Never be afraid to question things you don’t fullyunderstand.Never give up your dreams, reach for the stars. The world is your oyster.

Area Manager - Interview

This is the time of year when many ActivitiesOrganisers are getting into top gear to plan anaction packed Christmas period. As you prepareto get out the tinsel and the Santa hats, wethought we might offer you some helpful ideasto get you thinking about this year’s winterfestivities.If you are hiring an entertainer, consider one whohas the skill to move round the Home a bit andgive impromptu and shorter moments of musicand fun for individuals, rather than just a longperformance in the main lounge.Avoid packing too many parties and events intojust the Christmas period. Think about doingsomething a bit alternative, like having a TwelfthNight party for example in January, wheneveryone can be feeling a little flat and needa boost.

Some specific activity ideas• Preparing and making a Christmas pudding orcake – you can either do this as a real cookingactivity involving residents, OR you can create animaginary cake. The facilitator will need to beskilled enough to create an atmosphere of‘Imagine this…’ with a pretend mixing bowl inthe middle of the group. Ask group members toput in an ingredient of their choice and don’t besurprised, or put off, by any crazy suggestionsoffered! Encourage everyone to have animaginary stir. Discuss what coins would normallybe put in a cake and any memories of those whohad bitten into one in their childhood! Ask eachperson to make a wish for the year ahead to putinto the cake mix. This can sometimes be a quite

poignant opportunity to reflect on the end of theyear and what lies ahead. • Help an individual resident to send their owncards or messages to friends and family. Beingable to still give in this way is something veryspecial and harder to achieve with arthritic fingersand/or less freedom to go out and choose cards,buy stamps etc. For those who have access to email,the website www.jacquielawson.com produces the mostbeautiful animated and musical cards, which canbe sent to as many people as you want, for a verymodest subscription. Make a simple edible Cornflake Wreath bychecking out the recipe at www.cooks.com, orwww.allrecipes.comHave a discussion about the origins of theChristmas tree, as well as involving residentsin putting up and decorating the tree. For moreinformation about the reasons we have a tree, goto www.christmasarchives.com

Many homes invite children to come in to singcarols at Christmas, but consider a residents’carol singing group, who could even makea short tour of either other residents’ roomsor the local neighbourhood, if you are braveenough!Make contacts with local choirs, or amateurdramatics group and ask if they would bewilling to come in and give a free performanceas part of their rehearsals!Consider supporting a local charity, which doessomething for those who are disadvantaged atthis time of year, whether it is homeless people,or unwanted pets. Think about simplefundraising ideas and inviting someone fromthat charity to give a talk.

Kindly supplied by:

Sally KnockerNAPA Director of [email protected]

Now is theseason

to be jol ly!

Congratulationsfrom all of us to SamBeckett and Ted Humble-Smith who were marriedin June this year.Sam works tirelesslyto support all ourHomes with marketing,photography, activitiesideas and producing thefantastic newsletter.Way to go Sam!!


Tel: 0191 229 3530 www.wellburn-carehomes.co.uk Head Office News

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Sarah Montague started by introducing us to a new bookon the 2nd World War, by Max Hastings, called ‘All HellLet Loose,’ which was a global view on the war withpersonal testimonials from veterans. The book hadreceived rave reviews. On the phone line was Sir Maxand a 91-year-old veteran, by the name of ColonelJohn Llewellyn Waddy, who fought in the ParachuteRegiment and was later Director of the SAS.

The subject they were discussing was ‘will our link withthe conflict be as strong once our veterans are gone.’Sir Max discussed the importance of this link and whathe had tried to do in telling the history of the war inhis new book, placing a different perspective from the21st century and a global view. Sir Max said, when

telling these histories, it is important to have a senseof humility and ‘doffing our caps’ to these veterans, asmany of us hadn’t been born then and we owed thatgeneration so much.

Sarah Montague then moved onto to discuss withColonel Waddy the link with the schools whom havevisited Arnhem. She also enquired of the work ColonelWaddy was doing by going into schools and givingfirst count tales of the history to the children. ColonelWaddy went on to say, it was so important that linkwith the past was maintained, as if we hadn’t stoodfirm at the time and our allies hadn’t joined us, theworld would be completely different to what it is now.

Sarah Montague finished with a tale from Sir Max,who had visited a Hungarian woman, who was livingin the USA and had been held in a concentration campin the war, where she had lost all her family. Afterfinishing a four-hour interview with her, Sir Max waswaiting for a taxi on the pavement, which hadn’tarrived and he was getting panicky and in a rage. Ifthe taxi didn’t come, he would miss his flight toLondon. Just at that moment Edith Gabor, theHungarian woman came out and stood beside him onthe pavement and threw back her head and laughedand said ‘relax and forget it, because when you havebeen in a concentration camp, missing your plane justdoesn’t count for much’.

Accounts and stories such as these are so importantfor our future generations. It puts life into perspective

and reminds us to set aside differences and worktogether for the common Good. If our Allies 70 yearsago, could set aside their political and culturaldifferences and work together, then we and ourpoliticians can do the same, when faced with difficultissues now and in the future.

One Fresh Autumn morning, as I droveto work along a country road, with thewoodland trees a riot of wonderfulcolours, I heard an inspiring story onradio 4’s Today programme.

A war hero’s tale John Thompson was born in eastern Poland in 1921.

On 1st September 1939 Hitler’s German Army invadedPoland and John’s life would never be the same again.The Polish Army was defeated in weeks, but aged just 18and like many young men his age, John was called up todefend his country.Along with remnants of the army that had escapedcapture by the Germans, John escaped over the border toRomania, which had not yet been annexed by the Nazis.Cut off from his family he received devastating news thathis father had been shot and killed by Ukraine soldiers,fighting for the Germans, at the farm they owned. When the Germans invaded Romania, John was sent toSyria, where his regiment came under the command of theBritish Army. He saw action in Libya and Egypt before takingpart in one of the biggest and bloodiest battles of the entireSecond World War – The Battle of Monte Cassino.Also known as the Battle for Rome (as victory would opena route to the Italian capital), the well dug-in Germantroops repulsed wave after wave of Allied attacks untilthe Polish 2nd Corps took the place of the Americanand British, who had suffered terrible casualties and

succeeded in taking Monte Cassino, after three weeks offierce fighting in mountain terrain, which left the troopsexposed to enemy snipers on the slopes. Upon taking theabbey, the Poles raised the white and red flag of Polandon top of the ruins of the monastery. The Battle of MonteCassino is an eternal monument to the gallantry of thePolish soldiers.John continued to fight in Italy, until his war ended inBologna, when he was wounded for the third time – justa few weeks before the German surrender in May 1945.John’s first wound happened in Tobruk, Libya, when hewas shot through the arm and suffered nerve damage.His second wound occurred when an artillery shellexploded in front of the vehicle he was in, shattering hiseardrum and causing him to go deaf for six months. Hislast wound, which ended his war, resulted in shrapnelinjuries to his head and body.After serving in a peacekeeping force in Italy for a year,John came to Britain in 1946, a highly decorated veteranof the war. He was given a choice of which country hewanted to go to, including the United States of Americaand Canada, but he opted to stay in England. He startedworking in a factory for £4 a week, before he was toldhe could earn over £10 a week working in the coalmines,something he did for 23 years.

John met and married his wife Mary, who died in 1986and they settled in Grimsby. The couple had a daughter,who recently sadly died from cancer. John has twograndsons and is eagerly awaiting the birth of his firstgreat grand-child.John has been back to Poland on several occasions, thefirst time being in 1963, as it had not been safe to gountil then. John says many former soldiers who returnedsoon after the war, were arrested by the Russians andmany never seen again.He returned again with his grandson in 2000 and still hasfond memories of Poland, although he considers Englandto be his home.

We are proud to share the life stories of our residents thatwe publish in the newsletter and in this edition we have included more than ever beforeLife Stories

Wellburn has been named CareEmployer of the Year in the North Eastheat of the Great British Care Awards.The award, which acknowledges and celebratesemployers’ commitment to Care and how this isachieving success in delivering an excellentservice, was presented to Wellburn’s MD, KarlBeckett, at a ceremony in the Hilton Hotel,Gateshead, on Saturday 19th November.The awards panel said of Wellburn: “We wereparticularly impressed by the easy and naturalway in which Karl articulated how to makehappiness, community and pride in excellencethe hallmarks of a Care Home.”Wellburn will now go on to represent theNorth East in the Care Employer (more than250 employees) category in the national finalsin London, in May 2012.

And the awardgoes to...


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We were delighted to present a cheque for £1,550 to the localQueen Elizabeth Hospital.

The money was raised during the charity Angel Walk, whichresidents and staff took part in. Staff Nurse Lindsey Jarvin, whoaccepted the cheque, joined us on the walk and the Mayor ofGateshead Cllr Joe Mitchinson, was also present.

A barn owl that was close to death after beingrescued by Eighton Lodge, has made a happy return. The young owl, known as Fidget, was rescued bybird handler Gary Moore, after being found on theconservatory roof. Fidget was under-nourished and Gary estimated that he wouldhave died, if he had spent another hour onthe roof.Mary Hardy, Manager of Eighton Lodge, said:“Gary was originally going to call the owlEighton, but decided to name him Fidget,as he never sits still. However, he wasbeautifully behaved when he came back tothe Home and the residents were delightedto see him looking so fit and well.”

A happy return for Fidget

Eighton Lodge has seen its fair share of animals in its time, butthere have been few quite as cute as a pair of pet lambs.

Manager Mary Hardy said: “Many of our residents will have ownedanimals when they lived in their own homes and whilst it is difficultfor people to keep pets in a Care Home, we have always recognised theimportance of maintaining this contact.”

Falconry Day

Eighton Lodge raised £1,000 for a charity very close to its heart – andreceived a ringing endorsement from a television celebrity.Emmerdale star Charlie Hardwick, who plays Val Pollard, was delightedwith the efforts of staff and residents, who completed the one-mileMemory Walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.The walk, which took place in Saltwell Park, Gateshead, is the Society'sflagship fundraising event, with over £1.7 million being raised since 2002for people living with dementia.

Pet lambs bringspring cheer

Dance Group

A large group of residents go to the communitycentre at Brandling Hall, Gateshead everyTuesday. Our group is called the “lift off ”, whichis for the over 55s.

The Open Clasp Theatre Company came to thecommunity centre to do a workshop. We had tomake a character up and decide what sort of lifewe wanted to give her. We decided to call ourcharacter Celia.The group had to decide what family she had,what age she met her husband, where andeverything relating to her life. Parts of her lifewere acted out in our groups.We decided that she had met her husband in adance hall and we got up and danced to musicacting out their meeting. Everyone had fondmemories of this, because a lot of our ladies mettheir husbands in a dance hall.When we have finished the project onthis lady’s life, it will be turned into a playperformed by the Open Clasp Theatre Company.

ANGELWalk

Beryl Lewis returned andis a team leader.

Paula Bryson is carer.

Michala Price part-timelaundry assistant.

WelcomesNEW STAFF

Eighton Lodge News www.eightonlodge-carehome.co.uk Tel: 0191 410 3665

Celebrity endorsement


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Tel: 0191 548 6042 www.glenholmedaycentre.co.uk Glenholme Day Centre News

Circus visit

A creepy time

Day Centre users certainly gave ahoot when it came to visiting anowl centre.Around 20 people spent a fewhours looking around theKirkleatham Owl Centre in Redcar,which is home to dozens of typesof owls and other birds. Somewere also delighted to be able tohold the birds.Day Centre Manager, Shelly McDermott said:“We regularly take people on outings as part of ourprogramme of activities and this certainly proved to

be one of the most popular trips we have organised.“The Day Centre users loved interacting with theowls and for many, this was the first time they haveeven been able to get so close to them.”

We had a circus visit the Day Centre. Theyperformed various circus tricks, includingplate spinning and juggling. One of theladies performed a routine with multiplehoola hoops, which looked very tricky. Oneof the gentlemen had a magic singing saw.All the Day Centre clients had a go at platespinning, with mixed results, but everyoneenjoyed the day.

We had a lovely trip to the toy museum, whichwas part of our trip to Blue Reef Aquarium. Wehave never seen so many toys under one roof!Everyone all found something that they haveplayed with in their childhood, that includedthe staff... The owners made us very welcomeand even gave us tea and cake. A fantastic daywas had by all.

The Day Centre had Saturdayexcursions through the summer months.A recent trip was to Eden Camp, whichis in Malton, Yorkshire. It was a fantasticday where everyone enjoyed theexhibits and everyone had memories ofthe war years.

Snakes, spiders and even a hissing cockroach,failed to put up the shivers up Day Centre users.They got to touch a variety of reptiles andinsects, including a millipede, snails and aTarantula. It was part of a hands-on workshopprovided by an organisationcalled ZooLab.ZooLab provides imaginativeanimal handling workshops to awide range of audiences. Theyare popular with elderly CareHomes and Day Centres as theycan provide stimulation andimprove social wellbeing. Centre Manager ShelleyMcDermott said: “Despite itbeing the first time that many of

Tyneside toy museum

Eden camp

The aim of Aromatherapy treatment, is topromote and maintain of health & wellbeing onboth physical and spiritual levels. We havea lovely lady, whom attends the Day Centre acouple of times a month and she has beena valuable assest to our clients, manycommenting on how her sessions have relievedfatigue, improved mobility and just a generalfeeling of wellbeing.

Here we can see Dianne with George, benefittingfrom a relaxing shoulder massage. He likes toattend Dianne’s sessions on a regular basis andshe always has a warm welcome from us all !!!!!

Thank You Dianne

the service users had handled creatures like this,they were not phased by the snakes or creepycrawlies at all and they found it a verystimulating and enjoyable experience.”

Welcome to Sharon Whitfield, DianneWallace, Sheila Morris and Michelle Raey, allnew members of staff within the Day Centre.

Sad goodbyes to Lisa Outhwaite and SueGill, who have left our team. We wish youwell for the future.

WelcomesNEW STAFF

Aromatherapy

Day CentreNews


Riverhead Hall News www.riverheadhall-carehome.co.uk Tel: 01377 253 863

Jack Brandham 92 years

Violet Wilson 92 years

Jean Powell 94 years

Ann Stephenson 79 years

Bir th daysIN OCTOBER

Congratulations to carer AmandaHemstock who got engaged to AndrewSparkes. Andrew proposed to Amanda atManchester Races on 6th August 2011.

Over the past year, the residents at Riverhead Hallhave been enjoying weekly bus trips to variouslocations, including deer spotting in Sledmere,driving amongst the cattle on Bevereley Westwood,feeding the hundreds of geese at Hornsea Mereand more recently, to Bridlington seafront, whenthe bus stopped for residents to have refreshmentsand look at the boats in the harbour.

There were some feathers ruffled inRiverhead Hall – but it was all in thename of charity.The feathers in question belonged to the birdsof prey that were the star attractions at a charityevent, staged by staff and residents.The public event, in aid of the Alfred Bean

Hospital in Driffield, also included a tombola,raffle and cake stall.The birds were kindly provided by the Park RoseBirds of Prey Centre in Driffield and includedowls and various hawks.Everyone really enjoyed the day and at the end,£157 was raised for the hospital.

It’s a dogs’ life

Flowering arranging

Residents at Riverhead Hall spent a few hoursplaying with a very unusual breed of dog.The Cockerpoos, called Bailey and Jasper,belong to one of the staff and they were a realhit with the residents, who are alreadylooking forward to a return visit.

Also congratulations to carer EmmaBoswell who married David Kane, asoldier in the British Army, on 6thAugust at All Saints Church, Driffield.Nurse Sue Hyde and resident LettieMarsh attended the ceremony. Lettieenjoyed watching the guests arriveand said the bride looked beautiful.

MaryPauline Skerrett,known to herfriends andfamily as Mary,celebrated herGolden WeddingAnniversarywith husbandDon on 22ndJuly 2011. Mary

and Don were married on 22nd July1961 at Colton Methodist church inLeeds. The couple went on to live inBerwick-in-Elmet. They had twochildren, Steven who later marriedKathryn and Karen who married Ian.

Mary was a stay at home mum andDon worked as a Civil Servant. Thecouple celebrated their anniversarywith a meal at Riverhead Hall,accompanied by son Steven and wifeKathryn and daughter Karen withhusband Ian.

Jack was born on the 16th October 1919 on a farm inNorth Frodingham. Jack grew up with his family inSkerne, until he married and later moved to Driffield. Hehas a son and a daughter. Jack was a farm labourerand his face lights up when he recalls workingalongside his father - he revelled in the outdoor life.

Jack joined the Grenadier Guards in 1939 and servedas a Guardsman at Buckingham Palace before seeingactive service in North Africa. Jack is happy to talkabout his time with the guards – he clearly recallssetting off from the Shetland Islands and marching toOxford on his way to North Africa.

Jack was wounded in 1943 in Tunisia. He recalls hismemories of the time: “I remember coming to astandstill just like that. I was carrying mortar bombs.”He showed me his hands, curled up, as though vividlyrecalling the memory. Jack has a piece of shrapnel justbelow his shoulder. He recalls: “It stuck out four or fiveinches. No-one wanted to pull it out as they wereworried what would happen, so I pulled it out myself.They looked at me as though I was daft! Someoneasked if I kept it as a souvenir – not bloody likely.” Jackremembers being on a stretcher, then being put on a‘displacement’ list and sent home. He was sad to beout of the war and upset to leave all his friends behind,but thankful to be alive.

Post-war, Jack was a Nursing Auxillary at the EastRiding General Hospital – he enjoyed the job andremembers how he used to ‘jump over the fence everyday to get to work.’ He was also a member of DriffieldBowls Club and the Royal British Legion. Jack wasregularly to be found on holiday as he liked to travel –by the coast, in the countryside and abroad.

Jack is now happily settled at Riverhead Hall and it isa pleasure to have him here with us. I think I can sumJack’s character up by quoting two of his sayings:-

“You joined up and didyour job as expected.”

“You shout everything outexcept the job you are on.”

Written by Care Assistant,Judith McGarry

Birds of prey

Jack Brandham

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Congratulations

Trips out


Tel: 0191 549 2594 www.glenholme-carehome.co.uk Glenholme News

Muriel fell into the River Wear at SouthHylton when she was very young. She washelping her brother to find some money thathe had dropped when she lost her footing.Muriel became trapped, but her fathermanaged to rescue her on his boat. Murieldidn’t remember anything, but she wasworried in case she had ruined her brandnew tunic, that her grandmother had boughtfor her. When Muriel was older, her fathersaid that if her experience had made herscared of water, she didn’t have to join in theswimming lessons at school. Her ordealhadn’t put Muriel off though and she lovedswimming straight away. When Muriel was in her late 30s, she becamea swimming teacher, leading groups atTudhoe School and Peterlee Swimming Club.It was at Peterlee Swimming Club that Murielmet David Wilkie, an Olympic swimmer,whilst he was fundraising for charity. Hespent the afternoon and early evening at theswimming club, swimming with her classesand everyone had their photograph takenwith David Wilkie, including Muriel. Murieldidn’t retire from being a swimming teacheruntil she was into her 60s and still lovesswimming to this day!

When it comes to activities at Glenholme, we certainly like tothrow people into the deep end.As part of our activity programme, residentsare regularly taken to thenearby Sunderland Aquatic Centre.There is never any shortage of volunteerswanting to go swimming and the residentshave a whale of a time in the water.Glenholme House Manager, Kelly Watt said:“Aside from it being a lot of fun for theresidents, swimming is great for health andwellbeing, which is very important whenpeople get to this stage of their lives.”

Muriel

Sink OR Swim

My Favourite Poem- Mary Easton

THE LISTENERSWalter de la Mare

"Is there anybody there?" said the Traveller,Knocking on the moonlit door;

And his horse in the silence champed the grassOf the forest's ferny floor;

And a bird flew up out of the turret,Above the Traveller's head:

And he smote upon the door again a second time;"Is there anybody there?" he said.

But no one descended to the Traveller;No head from the leaf-fringed sill

Leaned over and looked into his grey eyes,Where he stood perplexed and still.But only a host of phantom listenersThat dwelt in the lone house then

Stood listening in the quiet of the moonlightTo that voice from the world of men:

Stood thronging the faint moonbeams on the dark stair,That goes down to the empty hall,

Hearkening in an air stirred and shakenBy the lonely Traveller's call.

And he felt in his heart their strangeness,Their stillness answering his cry,

While his horse moved, cropping the dark turf,'Neath the starred and leafy sky;

For he suddenly smote on the door, evenLouder, and lifted his head:--

"Tell them I came, and no one answered,That I kept my word," he said.

Never the least stir made the listeners,Though every word he spake

Fell echoing through the shadowiness of the still houseFrom the one man left awake:

Ay, they heard his foot upon the stirrup,And the sound of iron on stone,

And how the silence surged softly backward,When the plunging hoofs were gone.

We had a trip to Blue Reef Aquarium inTynemouth. Tom, Edna, Betty, Peggy andMary spent a lovely afternoon with Murieland Jo looking around at all of theexotic fish. A photographer came alongwith us and took some photographs ofus enjoying ourselves and we even hadan article in the Sunderland Echo.

Karen Devonport, Christina Stevens,Christine Scott.

NEW STAFFThe staff and residents of Glenholmewould like to give their congratulation toJoan Richardson and her Husband Denison their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

SPECIAL MENTION

Laura Musther who was 50 in August

Linda Major who is 50 in November

CongratulationsRaymond Storey, Joan Johnson,Tom Walker, Mary Tate, Dorothy Nutall,Greta Keenan, Joseph Kirkley,

WelcomesNEW RESIDENTS

Henderson- Life Story

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Blue Reef


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Catherine was born in Birminghamon 31st January 1923. As an onlychild, Catherine spent many of herholidays visiting family in Scotland,where her grandmother taught herhow to milk a cow.

Catherine attended a private schooland sat her 11+, which she passedwith flying colours and attended KingsNorton Girls Grammar School. WhenCatherine was 18, she left grammarschool and her parents pushed her topursue a medical career. To their fury,Catherine decided to join the WAAFto support the war effort. Due toCatherine’s education and qualificationsshe was recruited as an accountant.

Catherine was then accepted intoGoldsmith’s University of Londonwhere she studied teaching. When shequalified, she moved back home andstarted working in Harborne School.

Catherine met her husband Dusan,who was from Yugoslavia, when shewas 34. They met at a folk dance andlater married. When Catherine was 38she had her oldest son Milan, followed

by Andrew and Christopher.Catherine gave up workwhen Milan was born andbecame a housewife.

Catherine and Dusanwanted to give the boys agood education and theyattended a private school inYorkshire, Catherine andher husband regularly made the tripfrom Birmingham to Yorkshire everyfew weeks to visit the boys.

Catherine and Dusan planned to moveto Wick near John O’Groats, due totheir love of the Scottish country, toenjoy their retirement, however sadlyDusan died following a stroke.Catherine decided after his death shewould still make the move and afterselling her home in Birmingham, shemade the move and enjoyed manyhappy years in Wick.

During the Christmas period of 2007,the family came to spend Christmaswith Catherine, but Catherine sadlysuffered a stroke on Christmas Day.Her sons and their family decided

Catherine was too far away from themall and needed to move closer to them.

On the 3rd June 2008, the family packedup the home in Wick and movedCatherine to Craghall. Catherine says shewas sad about leaving Wick, but trustedher sons had found a lovely Care Homefor her in Newcastle. Catherine recallsfeeling very apprehensive about themove, but was put at ease by themarvellous, caring welcome she receivedfrom the staff at Craghall.

Catherine has been here for 3 yearsnow and regularly has visits from allthe family and feels the move was agood thing. She says she feels safe andhappy and that the staff are caring,will do anything for her and she hopesthey know how appreciated they are.

Earlier in the year Craghall had awonderful visit from A.H Webb and thegreat grand-daughters of CharlesHenry Ellison Adamson, who was bornat Craghall in 1846 and died theremany years later after serving in theBritish India Army in Burma. Mr Webbexplained that his father, Charles

Murray Adamson, bought Craghallfrom the person who converted it fromfive miners’ cottages before 1846.They also went onto explain thatthrough a booklet, ‘Bygone JesmondDene’ by Alan Morgan, they were ableto piece together a part-history ofCraghall and its previous owners andMrs Dunn was able to rememberthings that her parents told her of thefamily history.

Craghall would like to welcome: Susan Moustafa – Domestic

Congratulations to Nicole Bowman and Gemma Nettleton on the birth of their daughters.

Well done to: Agnes Przybyl, Roz Johnston on completion of NVQ Level 2 and Emma Barbrookon completion of NVQ Level 4.

Our activities at Craghall continue to grow and new additions are being added all of the time.We have recently had the Pets as Therapy start at Craghall with a King Charles Spaniel calledBella visiting every Tuesday.

Our recent addition of our touch-screen computer has proved a great success for surfing theinternet and keeping in touch with family. Betty Williamson says: “It’s a great addition to thehome and I love sending emails to my family to let them know what’s been happening!”

CatherineKupusarevic

Announcements

Craghall News www.craghall-carehome.co.uk Tel: 0191 284 6077

HISTORY of the Hall

Craghall poemCraghall is the place to be

fun and laughter for all to seeWe have our highs

and we have our lowsBut we keep fit

and wiggle our toesThe staff help us in every way

and maybe one day you’ll comeand stay!

By Debra Hart

-Life Story


Tel: 0191 413 8518 www.rytontowers-carehome.co.uk Ryton Towers News

George Shell was born on 21st September1916 in Gateshead and Isabel Simpson wasborn on 7th August 1918 in the West Endof Newcastle. George followed in his father’sfootsteps and started work for VickersArmstrongs in Scotswood as a fitter andturner. George was a keen footballer and itwas here that he met Harry, Isabel’s brother.As a result of their first meeting, romanceflourished and the two were married at St James Church, Benwell, Newcastle, on 23rdSeptember 1939.They had two sons - Derek who is now 70 and living in Teesside and Neil, aged 65 wholives in Winlaton - and they are frequent visitors to the Home. George spent his entire working life at Vickers Armstrong and retired as a planning engineer. Isabel, after bringing up the two children, obtained employment at Bainbridge’s (JohnLewis) Newcastle and spent the rest of her working life at the Company working in aclerical position in Transit House, Bath Lane, Newcastle.George carried on his love for football, supporting Newcastle United, where he oftenwent with his sons. Isabel is an excellent cook and enjoyed dressmaking and knitting inher spare time.They retired to a bungalow in Winlaton and during retirement enjoyed many holidaysabroad. For many years they spent a month in Tenerife enjoying the winter sun. Theynow have five grand-children and eleven great grand-children. In 2002 Isabel suffered a stroke, which left her with poor communication skills and Georgethen became her ‘’carer’’. George himself then had a major operation in 2005 and it wasnot long afterwards that he became a victim of dementia, which progressed to such astage, that in late 2010, both George and Isabel moved into Ryton Towers.They now live a contented life, being pampered by the excellent staff at Ryton Towersand look forward to their 73rd anniversary.Neil Shell

Announcem ents

Stop that pillow fighting!

There were plenty of pyjamas, but certainly no sleeping on the job at Ryton Towers.

Staff and residents spent the day in their pyjamas, to raise money for residents’ funds.

Each member of staff made a donation to wear pyjamas at work, this money will beput towards organising special events/trips for the residents.

Kate Stokoe celebrated her 100th birthday on 4th October.Catherine Johnson celebrated her 30th birthday on16th SeptemberBirths – Congratulations to Glynis Johnson for becoming a grandmaagain to little boy Max.Happy Birthday to Phoebe Purvis who celebrated her 101st birthdayon the 14th August.Well done to Katie Hart for completing her NVQ 2 and is about tocommence level 3 along with Tracy Smiles.

Everyone was very well wrapped up at RytonTowers’ summer fair.However, it was not coats or scarves they werewearing, but bandages applied during a first aiddemonstration, carried out by the North EastAmbulance Service.The demonstration was among a host of activitiesthat took place on the day. The whole communitywas invited to the event, which also included aperformance by a brass band, tombola,yard of ale, raffle, bric-a-brac and foodand drink stalls. We raised £412.40 forthe residents’ fund.

Ryton Towers wanted tobrighten up the park behindtheir home, as this is aregular place the residentslike to visit and walk through.So, they contacted the counciland got permission tosponsor a flower bed inFern Dene Park. 72nd Wedding Anniversary

No emergencies butplenty of bandages

George and Isabel Shel l

Sponsored Garden

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Welcome to Pamela Million to night duty.Welcome to new residents.Ronald CrossJoan CulfRose EmmersonJames Newlands.

Welcomes

Kerri, Sarah and Robert travelled to Fort Williamto climb Ben Nevis for Marie Curie Cancer Care.Sadly on the day Sarah became ill and couldn’tachieve what she intended. However Robert andKerri completed the climb of over 4,000ft in justover 8 hours. We would like to thank everyonewho supported them and sent their wishes.

Marie Curie Cancer Care


St Georges News www.stgeorges-carehome.co.uk Tel: 0191 419 1878

49th Wedding Anniversary Joan Snaith and her husbandcelebrated there 49th weddinganniversary 1st of September.

Ella Eldrid.

WelcomesNEW RESIDENT

Dawn Mitford completing her NVQ 3

Lee our cook, has just become a Dad for

the 2nd time to a little girl called Lucy.

Up close and personal…Trips to Hancock museum whereElsie got up close with one ofthe exhibits!

Joyce Barket was born on 29/10/20 in StSamson’s Square, York. Sadly, when Joyce wasborn, her mother walked out on her and hersiblings, leaving their father John Smith tobring them up. She had a sister called Muriel,who was four-years-old and a brother calledDouglas, who was four years older. Murielcouldn’t read or write so was looked after fulltime. Douglas, however, went on to be aPolice Inspector. Their mother tried to get incontact with Joyce when she was a little girl,eventually turning up to Joyce’s school, butshe didn’t want anything to do with her.Joyce’s father John was a landlord and ownedmany properties. They had a housekeepercalled Olive who also looked after Joyce,Douglas and Muriel when their father was

busy. Joyce saw her asa mother figure. Afterleaving school aged 14,Joyce went to work atRowntree’s. Here shewas to meet her futurehusband, ThomasBaker. They married inJuly 1949 and they were happily married for58 years. During their wonderful marriagethey had three daughters, Christine, Janetand Susan. Sadly, Thomas died in July 2007,one day after their wedding anniversary.Joyce came to us on the 20th July 2009 andcontinues to have a full and independent lifehere at Rosevale.

Joan was born in1923 in ColliersWood, London, nearWembley Stadium.The eldest of fivechildren, she enjoyedschool and wouldhave loved to go onto further education,

but unfortunately she had to leave school in1939, at the onset of World War II. Duringthe war the family remained in London andJoan worked as a telephonist at the mainLondon Telephone Exchange. Soon after theend of the war, she met Reginald Horner andthey married in 1946 and moved toCambridge, where she worked in thetelephone exchange and Reg worked for the

Prudential Assurance Company. They wouldhave liked a large family, but the two survivingchildren are Linda and Keith. Joan workedfrom home when the children were small andthen later went to work as a QuantitySurveyors’ Clerk, firstly for CambridgeUniversity and then for Cambridge CityCouncil. Sadly, Rae died in 1969, when Joanwas only 44 and she didn’t remarry. Since1950, Joan has been heavily involved infundraising for Cambridge Mencap and hasheld almost every possible local and regionaloffice with the Townswomen’s Guild. Thissuited her friendly, sociable character andlove of organising activities. Joan has alwaysenjoyed sewing and knitting, gardening,reading and looking after her grandchildren.

Joan Horner - Life Story

Staff

Jane Middlemas

Joanna Temple

Mrs Joyce BarketRosevale resident

Whorlton Grange resident

- Life Story

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WEDDINGS

Announcementr


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Tel: 01904 764 242 www.rosevale-carehome.co.uk Rosevale News

Mrs Pinkstone, Mrs Bonsall, Mr Cottom,Mrs Stork Mr Fenwick and Mrs Pearson.

We are delighted you have joined ourextended family and wish you all thehappiness you deserve.

WelcomesNEW RESIDENTS

Natalie Brown, Andrew Jenkins,Porcha Burk, Debbie Bates, LukeKersey and Jodie Wilkinson.

We hope you will all be veryhappy here.

NEW STAFF

Renovation progressRenovations at Rosevale for 2011have nearly finished and everyoneagrees, the Home is lookingsmashing. Thank you to everyonewho has been disrupted by theongoing work. Your patience iswelcomed and I think you will allagree that it has been worth it.

Viva Espana!A Spanish-themed BBQ at Rosevalewas well received – and the warmweather even made it feel like the CostaDel Sol.Entertainment was provided by someFlamenco dancers and because theweather was so warm, we moved all thefurniture from the lounges outside sothe residents, including 12 fromRiverhead Hall, could watch it al frescoand in comfort.

As well as the traditional burgers, wealso served Spanish chicken, tortillasand salsa and it wouldn’t have beenright if we hadn’t also provided Sangria!

In the last news letter, we showed youpictures of our two canaries, Tango and Cash.We were given the birds from our thentraining provider, Alison Hopkins, whose daddonated them to us. Now, we were under theimpression that they were both males, buthow wrong could we have been? Tangohatched 4 eggs, which she and Cashsuccessfully reared. This excited the residentsand staff at Rosevale who wanted more birds.It was discussed that we should get an indoorAviary rather than an outdoor one, so moreof the residents could see them. We gave twoof the Canaries to Grimston Court andDianne, a carer here at Rosevale, took twohome with her, as she had got so ‘EGG-ttached’. So, we bought a lovely indoor Aviaryand some beautiful little budgies, who are allso happy living here at Rosevale. Mrs Hillinghelped to put the new cage together.

Recently Olive Brown went to stayat our sister home, Nightingale Hallin Richmond, whilst her room gotcompletely renovated. Olive tells usshe had a great time there and thestaff were all so lovely towards her.She also tells us whilst she will havefond memories of her break away inRichmond, she is happy to be backin York and with her extendedfamily. Her room is now completelyfinished and is literally twice thesize it was before she went away.

Charlene Wrigglesworth and NatalieKirrane are taking part in achallenge of a lifetime. They will beclimbing Snowdon, Ben Nevis, andScarfell Pike and collecting half thesponsorship for a charity of theirchoice and half for the residents’fund here at Rosevale. Pleasesponsor these girls as they needyou. Both girls are excited aboutthis challenge.

Sylvia was born on1/10/20 in Haxby, York.She has a younger sistercalled Daphne and shealso had another sister,who tragically died at 8months from whoopingcough. Throughout Haxby,Sylvia was known as ‘bubbles’ to the locals,because of her big hair.

Sylvia left school at 14 and became a cashier untilthe age of 16. She then became a florist. At theage of 18 Sylvia met her future husband, ArthurHowe, who was 20. She met him at a spellingbee at the local chapel. They began to speak, fellin love and were happily married for 64 years.They had two sons Malcolm and Trever. WhenSylvia had Malcolm, the doctor who had beenpresent at the birth, said he had never seen sucha big baby, as he weighed in at 11lbs. Tragically,Sylvia and Arthur lost their beloved son Trevor tocancer, aged just 47 in St Leonard’s Hospice.

After working as a nurse, Sylvia became anambulance escort for handicapped children. Shedid this for 17 years and loved every moment ofit. She eventually retired on her 65th birthday.

Sylvia came to Rosevale on the 17th January 2011and continues to be independent and still enjoysfriends and family visiting on a regular basis.

A holiday to remember...

Three peaks challenge...

MrsSylvia HoweLife Story

Tangoand Cash


Heatherdale News www.heatherdale-carehome.co.uk Tel: 01670 760 796

We extend a warm welcome to two newmembers of staff Angela White and Mel Proctor.

A very warm welcome also to our new residents:John Allan, Gwen Jobson, Joan Groome,Matthew Smith, John Simpson and SabinaPriest. We hope that they enjoy their time here.

Warm WELCOME

Well done to Brenda, Linda, Kaytrina, Val,Evelyn and Julie S on completing and passingtheir NVQ Level 2

Well DONE

to Clare Barclay on the birth of her baby girl,Hannah Susan.

Congratulations

Now that’s Magic BBQBelly laughs galoreBelly dancers, from the Amble area, provided entertainment at the end of aday-long worth of activities for residents, which also included a BBQ and asing-a-long.Manager Alison Moore said: “The residents really enjoyed seeing the dancersand for many of them thiswas the first time they hadseen this form of dancingperformed live.”The belly dancers whoperformed at Heatherdale areBev Palin, Katy Ingham andLynn Conan. The trio, who arefrom the Amble and Rothburyarea, met at belly dancingclasses and decided to set uptheir own group, which nowmeets once a week.

Residents are standing to attention for the ‘Jam Jar Army’

After getting involved in the campaign by theNorthumberland Gazette newspaper, to raise £10,000for Hospice Care North Northumberland, Heatherdalehas filled an impressive eleven jars with spare coins.

Staff were also keen to get involved, as some haverelatives and friends who have been affected by cancer.

For more information visit www.jamjararmy.com

Jam Jar Army

Children from a local infants’ school put smiles oneveryone’s faces when they performed in the home.The youngsters, from Red Row First School, sangold songs for the residents, who had a thoroughlygood time.

A Smash hit

Eddie was born WalterHowett in Ipswich 1917and had two sisters, Maisieand Winnie. He also had abrother called Eddie, whosadly passed away, Waltertook on his brother’s nameand has been known asEddie ever since.Eddie attended boardingschool from an early age, at

St Andrews in Reading. Football was the school gameand Eddie remembers playing inside right. Eddie wasabout 14 when he left school and started hisapprenticeship, as a butcher, in the local area and wenton to own his own shop, which was success in thecommunity. He continued to run his business until hisretirement in 1981, when he retired to Blyth inNorthumberland with his wife Vera. He and Vera weremarried for 68 years until her sad death in 2008. Theyhave two children, a daughter, Linda and a son, Keith,whom both regularly visit Eddie here at Heatherdaleand take him out for day trips in the car, which heenjoys immensely. In between his career as butcher, he was called to armsin the Second World War. He served his country withThe Norfolk Regiment, protecting his country inEngland and later in Singapore. It was here that Eddie

became a F.E.P.O.W (Far East Prisoner Of War). Whilstfighting there his regiment, alongside many others, wereforced to capitulate to the Japanese, who were gainingground and power rapidly. Eddie and the regiment wereincarcerated in a POW camp in Singapore for theduration of the war, approximately four and a half years.Eddie remembers the food being scarce and he says themotto was, “Get what you can, when you can. I alsoremember playing football in bare feet, which is whymy feet are bad now....but I don’t think WORKING inbare feet helped either.” Eddie finds this amusing as heis such a happy and kind man and obviously a forgivingman, as what he meant by working in bare feet was, thathe and his colleagues were coerced into building theBridge over the River Kwai. This bridge was madefamous in the film of the same name. In recognition of his services, he met the Queen andreceived a very special medal. He is always smiling andhappy to talk to everyone. His popularity is great withall staff and fellow residents because of this.

Walter Howlett - Eddie- Life Story

Life at Heatherdale is always simply magic.And it certainly was when a magician entertained residents andmembers of the public at a family fun day.The family fun day attracted people from across the communityand as well as the skills of local magician Christian Glenright,

there was a bouncy castle, face painting,tin-can alley and tombola.

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Tel: 01748 823 003 www.nightingalehall-carehome.co.uk Nightingale Hall News

Nightingale entered Richmond Towns GardenCompetition 2011 (commercial premises) andwon first prize!!!!

to Billy Lowes for all his hard work inNightingale’s Garden.

Congratulations

Green Howards

We were treated to a performance by Moonstruck, atravelling theatre group from Staffordshire.At Nightingale, the residents were given performances ofmusicals, Rock Around the Clock and Paint Your Wagon,before joining in with a sing-along to tunes like, Knees UpMother Brown.Nightingale Hall Manager, Julie Cooke said: “Hannah andApril put on a great show and the residents really enjoyedwatching the performance. It was a real blast from thepast for them.”Nightingale Hall was well and truly ‘moonstruck’, whenthey were visited by actors who specialise in performingat Care Homes.

Bearded collie Charliewon first prize, judgedby Karl.

Moonstruckin Richmond

Dog Show

NVQSteff Fairlamb – NVQ 3Janet Meredith – NVQ 3Lisa McIntosh – NVQ 2Helen Taylor – NVQ 2Caroline Hamilton – NVQ 2Beverly Tilley – NVQ 2

Cynthia Wain

Jim Lowes

N ewRESIDENTSCongratulations to Rachel

Boon and family on the birthof their baby girl Jade.

Births

Phillip Buckle– 15th July 1929 - 82 yearsBrian Galliers– 20th July 1936 - 75 yearsMary Killburn– 22nd July 1920 – 91 years

Margaret Rutherford– 4th August 1923 - 88 yearsNesta Hilkin– 25th August 1922 - 89 yearsGwen Pickering– 30th August 1922- 89 years

BirthdaysWellburn are working with the Green Howards Museum in Richmond,to try and trace any family or relatives of the soldiers in the photos andare grateful to them for their help in identifying where and what wasbeing photographed.The formal photograph, is of the officers in the Green Howards regimentbased at Nightingale Hall. It is believed to be of the only surviving officersfrom the First World War....a poignant picture indeed! We do not, as yet,know what the significance is of the medals that they all wear, but it isthought to relate to the First World War.The image of the officers inside the lounge, with the regimental dogenjoying some rest, no doubt from exercise, shows two visiting officerssitting on the fender, as well as regular members of the squad.The fireplace is in a room currently occupied by one of Nightingale’sresidents, but is soon to be returned to its former use as a lounge. Noticethe pipes and popularity of smoking!

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Rachel Boon – NVQ 2Carol Suggett – NVQ 2Donna Boardman – NVQ 2Barbara Pettit – NVQ 2Mandy Torode – NVQ 2(housekeeping)


St Catherines News www.stcatherines-carehome.co.uk Tel: 01904 470 644

This year, St Catherinesdecided to purchase aseason ticket to BurnbyHall in Pocklington. BurnbyHall boasts a beautiful lilypond and sculpturesamongst the landscapedgardens. Adjacent isa photograph of thesculptures withinthe gardens.

Painting the town

Ricky was born in November 1930 and as she herself quotes

‘no birds, no bees, no flowers, nor trees! November’. This

she tells me is the quote from the famous writer Thomas

Hood and it was told to her throughout her childhood.

Ricky attended Beverly Grammar School for Girls. The grammarschool enabled Ricky to take her exams and encouraged her toobtain A-Levels, which stood her in good stead for her future. Atthe age of 14, Ricky realised that she had a love and talent for art.Her inspiration came from her art teacher, Miss McCormack, wholoved to use art in many forms to teach her pupils.

Ricky left school and attended Leeds Art College. Ricky is veryproud that Henry Moore, Ralph Brown, Jack Green and BarbaraHepworth were but a few well known artists to graduate fromthe college. Ricky’s first job was at a grammar school in EastRiding as an art teacher and after three years there, she wentto work at Queen Anne’s School in York. Ricky was appointedHead of the Art Department.

Ricky’s influence and love for all art inspired many of her pupils,with whom she remains in touch with to this day. One such pupilwas Sally Parkin. Sally successfully graduated from the RoyalCollege of Art and attributes her love of art a lot to Ricky’sinfluence as her teacher. Recently Ricky and Sally havecollaborated on an art exhibition, held at the Arts Centre inHelmsley. Both their works were exhibited and were also for sale.All of Ricky’s art work has been inspired by her personal visitsto places and experiences throughout her life. Ricky said: “I am very attached to them, because they are likevisual diaries to me, but it’s nice to know other people aregetting pleasure from my work.She uses different techniques and methods to produce her art,including fabrics, pastels and lithographics.Ricky has been a resident at St Catherines since December 2010and continues to love all art in its many forms.Sally Cummings Sept 2011

“I am very attached to them because they arelike visual diaries to me but it’s nice to know otherpeople are getting pleasure from my work.

Red

Residents were treated to some songs sung by a local primaryschool choir, as part of the St Catherines Harvest Festival.The choir, from Forest of Galtres Anglican Methodist PrimarySchool, did a fantastic job entertaining the residents.As part of the Harvest Festival, staff brought in food to make upfood parcels, to send to theSalvation Army and a representativefrom the Salvation Army waspresent to collect them.The new Minister for the area alsocame to speak at the event.

Eight of our residents revisited ‘their younger days’ by visiting our localtheatre to see the play Peter Pan. The production took place in the centreof the auditorium with the audience sat all around. The residents werelucky to be sat on the front row with excellent views of the entire playand its wonderful cast. They all enjoyed the theatre experience andrecalling the story of Peter Pan, which bought back wonderful memoriesof their own childhoods and the stories they told their own children. Theresidents all really appreciated the half time refreshments, consisting ofa glass of wine and some chocolate. We are looking forward now topantomime season and hope to revisit the theatre again!

Burnby Hall

August 2011

Peter Panat York Theatre

Harvest festival

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Tel: 01661 834 522 www.wellburnhouse-carehome.co.uk Wellburn House News

Outing to Morpeth Organ Recital -Margaret Barrow, Winnie Young,Betty Bishop and Xenia Story.

Every year Wellburn House attends theMorpeth Organ Recital and makes adonation. The recital is organised byChristopher Tipple, who voluntarily comesin and holds classical mornings here.

Outing to Adam and Eve in Prudhoe -Winnie Young, Grete Purvis, Agnes Preston,Ivy Common. A group of residents enjoyed afish and chips lunch at one of our local pubs– The Adam and Eve.

Hexham brass band - All residents. HexhamBrass Band visited Wellburn House on asunny afternoon. All of our residents andfamilies were able to sit outside and enjoythe music.

Craft with Meryl - Margaret Barrow, Joyce,Winnie Young. A group of residents joined inwith crafts, creating their own individuallydesigned towels.

Janice Turner – completing NVQ Level 4

Michelle Turner – completing NVQ Level 3

CongratulationsMichelle Boyle

Claire and Venetia who are now onbank since going back to college.

We made a fun fair the theme

of our summer BBQ, which

was really well attended.

On the day we hadclowns, coconut shy,skittles and a piratebouncy castle, whichwas a bighit with thechildren, as well assome big kids whoshould know better!

Everyone had agreat day.

Residents at Wellburn House had a springin their step, after being visited by somepet lambs.

They spent time feeding and playing withthe black-faced lambs, which were kindlyprovided by a local farmer.

The residents loved having the lambs inthe Home and they really brought a smileto everyone’s faces.

A lovely evening out was organised forsome of the residents and carers fromWellburn House, to see a localproduction of ‘’The Boyfriend’’ at WylamInstitute, on Tuesday 16th August.

The show – a delightful musical comedy- was staged with imaginative skill andeffort; the cast were very well rehearsedand the ‘’twenties’’ costumes andhumour was ‘spot on’.

On a personal level, I found it every bitas enjoyable as the original show, whichI saw in London more than 30 years ago.

I do hope there will be more eveningslike this, which I am sure have realtherapeutic value. I certainly feltuplifted by it. (appropriate for someonein a wheel chair)

Margaret Barrow.

“The Boyfriend”

A spring inthe step

Been on

Welcom eTO THE TEAM

Summer BBQ

What’s

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Garden House News www.gardenhouse-carehome.co.uk Tel: 01289 330 942

Joyce Woodler

William Tait

William Johnson

N ew

Team leader Katy Ellis completing NVQLevel 3.

Congratulations

Michael Avery – Chef.

Dennis Bowes – Housekeeper.

Julie Mason – Kitchen Assistant

Isobel Weeks – Bank care assistant.

STAFF

GladysHappy birthdayEveryone at Garden House was delightedto mark the amazing 105th birthday ofresident Gladys Brown.We had a party to celebrate the occasionand the Mayor and Mayoress of Berwickeven popped in to give Gladys theirbest wishes.Gladys, who was delighted to receive hertelegram from the Queen, was joined byher daughter and grandson and everyonehad a great time.

GladysBrown Life Story - born October 11th 1906

When Gladys started school in 1911,the leaving age was an amazing 12years. It was only raised to 14 in1918, whilst she was still a pupil.

Women over 21 got the vote in 1928,so born in 1906, she had to wait ayear to get her first chance to vote.

Gladys parents ran the post officein Ponteland when she was a child.As very few people actually had atelephone, they would come to thepost office to make calls from there.Gladys remembers onewonderful story:

‘’Is it true?’’ asked one disbelievingclient ‘’that I can speak to my brotherin Sheffield?’’‘’Yes indeed’’‘’Well put me through to him’’‘’What is his telephone number’’‘’Oh he hasn’t got a telephone’’The first time my mother saw herselfon the internet, when I Googled upthe Chelsea Methodist Churchwebsite, she looked as disbelieving asthe man without the telephone 100years earlier, and said: ‘’no one willever have secrets again.’’

Gladys lived in Ponteland as a girl.Then moved to Newcastle with herfamily in 1927, where she met myfather and married in 1932. I, heronly child, was born in 1936. Shemoved back to Ponteland in 1954,then to Berwick in 1975 and on toLondon in 1984. She then returned tothe North East, first to Duddo andnow to Garden House.

Gladys remembers the First WorldWar with great clarity. British soldiersmarched through the village and shewatched German Zeppelins fly overthe main street. She was very takenwith a Hurdy Gurdy, which a manplayed outside the Seven Stars pub ona Saturday and was delighted to seeone again at Beamish this year, on an

outing from Garden House. She andher brother got up to all sorts ofpranks, when they were little.When her mother enquired at supperone evening, about the whereaboutsof the new kittens and the state of herfrying pan, there was an awkwardsilence, then a blurting out: “Well, ifthey had sat still they would havebeen all right.’’

A sailing trip for the kittens, by fryingpan on the River Pont, had ended indisaster. However she assured me theother day, that they had given them anice funeral...

We celebrated her 100th birthday,with a big family party at my home inLondon, her 101st with a magicdisplay by a friend known as Merlin;her 102nd with a visit to Brooklandsrace track, where she admired vintagemotorbikes and cars, known to her asa young women, and where themanager gave her free entrance to theConcorde they have there and allowedher into the cockpit; her 103rd, wehad a Ceilidh at the Maltings andcollected £400 for charity; and lastyear she celebrated in the morning atthe St Johns Ambulance Centre,where she had happy times during thesummer and at Garden House in theafternoon, with visits from theMayor of Berwick, family and oldand new friends.

RESIDENTS


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Tel: 01904 489 343 www.grimstoncourt-carehome.co.uk Grimston Court News

Harry has had a fantastic life playing sports,winning trophies and competing. He is veryproud of his achievements and everyone enjoyshis stories about his big wins. Harry played asnumber three in the bowls league match and setan unbeatable ‘’end’’ in 2002. He had fourbowls, all touching the jack and one another.Swimming was also a sport Harry excelled in andafter teaching his eldest son to swim, he taught20 youngsters to swim 58 lengths and gain theone mile certificate. When he felt they wereready, he hired out the local pool and broughtan official judge in to count the number oflengths. Harry had to stay in the water and swimafter the children, just in case there was aproblem, also completing the mile swim. At theend of the session, the judge asked him if he hada mile certificate and when Harry replied ‘’No’’he gave him one too.

Residents at Grimston Court wereentertained by a local choir knownas the York Rose Singers.The choir put on an enjoyable

performance of traditional songs.

Choirpractice

Jim grew up and went to school in Starbeck and says hegot the cane a few times for being late. He left school atthe age of 14 and worked for the Co Op for 1 year.His real ambition was to work on the railways and whenhe was 18, he joined the railway and worked as a lamp lad,working his way up to being a fireman, which was hisultimate goal.

Jim didn’t get married until he was 40 years old and never had any children. He livedwith his wife near Ilkley, where he was a railway driver. His wife sadly passed awayat the age of 75.Jim has two nieces and nephews in York and decided when he was 96-years-old tomove to Grimston Court, so that he could enjoy seeing them more often. He has beenhappy here ever since.

ResidentMargaretHodgsonshowing offher birthdaycake onher 86thbirthdayon 19thJuly 2011.

We all enjoyed the fairy talewedding with a celebratory tea.Pictured here are residents JessiePickles, Jean Scott, Dorothy Wiseand Dorothy Dykes.

Royal Wedding day

The trip to the coast was enjoyed bystaff and residents. We had fish andchips and ice cream by the sea,before heading to the rock shop.

Trip toScarborough

in June

Residents Pat Horsley, Molly Weihs, carerNatalia Czarnota with resident MaryEarnshaw, residents Betty Peet, JeanScott, Pam Woodworth (Manager),residents Petty Peet and Gwen Cawtewith Team Leader Lucy Murdoch.

Residents Ann Coughlin, MargaretHodgson, Mavis Pimblett, MaryEarnshaw and Dorothy Dykes joiningin with the very healthy exerciseclass in the lounge.

JimWilkinsonwas 100 years old on 17th May

Harry O’Connell- Grimston Court


Whorlton Grange News www.whorltongrange-carehome.co.uk Tel: 0191 214 0120

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Joseph Gifford was born in Scotswood,Newcastle upon Tyne, on 31st October1922, Halloween, the night when witchessteal baby boys to be raised as warlocks.Happily they overlooked this child, whoremained in the human world to bebrought up by his parents and six dotingelder brothers and sisters.There was a strong sporting tradition in the family.Robert Gifford, his father, was a world classweightlifter, renowned for feats of strength andBrother George boxed under the name of youngGiffo, so Joe was keen to join the Grainger ParkBoys Clubs. Although he did not have all the correctkit, he excelled at boxing. Trevor Fenwick (ofFenwick’s store) was so impressed with Joe whenhe represented his club at a match at St James Hall,that he not only bought him a proper pair of boxingboots, he also gave him a job.World War Two broke out and he following his callup, Private Gifford found himself far from thecomforts of home in the wilds of Scotland, in thedepths of winter being shouted at by a perfectstranger. Because of his sporting discipline and hisfitness, Joe did not suffer as badly as many of hisfellow raw recruits. With no idea where he washeading, the following summer he boarded atroopship and did not see land again for manyweeks. The boredom was broken with endlessgames of cards and at times Joe was grateful to doguard duty, as it meant fresh air on the deck of theship. First landfall was South Africa, then on theSuez Canal and Cairo. He was in the Black Watch,part of the 51st Highland Division and about totake part in Montgomery’s North Africa campaign. The soldiers camped in tents, with sand and flieseverywhere, bully beef six days a week, foodcooked on ‘’Benghazi’’ cookers, made from oldpetrol cans and worst of all, gyppy tummy. Thensuddenly, as Joe recalls, the whole horizon wentpink and for a second or two, there was silence andthen the noise of the 8th Army’s guns hit us in awall of noise, that made the whole earth shake.The battle of the E1 Alamein and Joe’s activeservice had begun. By the following May he had

chased Rommel’s AfrikaCorps to Tunis via Tripoliand hopes were high fora return to Blighty, butwhen Joe once againboarded ship, he washeading for Sicily and theHerman Goering Division.It was not until the BlackWatch crossed into Italy,that he was allowedhome to his family andsweetheart Betty. Insteadof returning to Scotland,the troops were based inthe south of Englandundergoing training forwhat turned out to be theinvasion of Normandy. Onthe 23rd Feb 1944, Queen Elizabeth inspected herbattalions and who should be her guard of honour,but our hero resplendent in his kilt and red hackle.This was filmed by British Pathe and Joe’s fatherwent to the cinema everyday for a week to see hisson. Joe was allowed to enjoy the refreshments notconsumed by the royal party. Joe crossed thechannel on D-Day plus one and on he wentthrough Holland, the freezing Ardennes andReichwald and he was amongst the first troops tocross the Rhine fighting on into Germany. Hestarted the war as a Private and finished as anexperienced and respected Sergeant.

Never one to dwell on the reality of war, Josephtells the seeing of the pyramids; the job ofswimming the Med, after the trials of the desert;of the thrill of climbing Mount Etna. He tells ofgiving his rations to a starving Sicilian family andbeing given a rosary in return; of getting drunk ina vineyard and of running out of water after hismates had filled all their Gerry cans with schnappsfrom a distillery. Apart from the bouts of malariaand a blow to the knee, which incapacitated himfor one day, Joe survived the war without ascratch and he put this down to being born onthat lucky date.

The last remaining Royal BritishLegion Male Voice Choir in the UK,ensured residents and staff atWhorlton Grange were in tune, whenthey popped in for a visit.

Everyone was entertained to somegolden oldies by the 12-pieceChoir, which includes veterans fromWorld War Two.

Male voice choir

Having a very‘bunny’ time

State-of-the-art, touch-screen computers areallowing our residents to surf the internet, email andeven use Skype to speak to their family and friends.The touch-screen computers are specifically designedto be much easier to use than a traditional computer.At least half a dozen residents now have their ownemail addresses and are regularly exchangingmessages, or photographs, with their friends andfamily. One lady has a daughter who lives inAmerica, so it has been especially nice for both ofthem to be able to use Skype to talk to, but just asimportantly, see each other via the computer.

Residents at Whorlton Grange were hopping withjoy, after being visited by some very cute animals.They spent a few hours playing with and pettingrabbits, hamsters and gerbils - kindly provided bya local pet store, known as Pets Corner.The residents really enjoyed having the rabbits,hamsters and gerbils in the Home and the smileson their faces were priceless.

Joseph Gifford Life Story

Surfing has neverbeen easier


ANGEL

HOLLY

SNOWMAN

BELLS

ICE

SNOWFLAKE

CAKE

IVY

STAR

CAROLS

MISTLETOE

STOCKING

CARDS

PARTYPOPPERS

TINSEL

CHRISTMASTREE

PRESENTS

TURKEY

FAIRY

REINDEER

WINE

FAIRYLIGHTS

SACK

FROST

SANTA

Tel: 0191 229 3530 www.wellburn-carehomes.co.uk Head Office News

InstructionsTurn oven on to 190 C or gas mark 5Chop up the prunes and place in the bottom of the already blind cookedpastry caseMake the frangipane by mixing the caster sugar and butter togetheruntil pale cream in colour, slowly add the beaten six eggs to the mixture,a little at a time, stirring constantly.Add the self raising flour, ground almonds and almond essence and mixthoroughly until it is a creamy consistencySpoon the mixture over the prunes in the tart casePlace in the centre of the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brownLeave to cool and dust with icing sugar, or serve warm with ice cream,or custard

Ingredients8-10 portions.Pastry200g - 8oz Plain Flour125g - 5oz Butter1 Egg50g - 2oz Caster Sugar.

Fruit Filling450g -11oz Rhubarb 75g - 3oz Caster Sugar

Chocolate Brownie Topping100g - 4oz Dark Chocolate75g - 3oz Butter1 Egg100g - 4oz Soft Brown Sugar15g - ½ oz Plain flour½ teaspoon baking powder.

Instructions1. Preheat oven to 180degrees/350f Gas 4.2. Rub together flour and butter and combine to a paste with the egg and sugar. 3. Roll out on a floured surface and line the flan tin.4. Bake blind for 15minutes.5. Reduce the oven temperature to 150c/300f. Gas mark 2.6. Put the chopped Rhubarb in the tart case, sprinkle with the caster sugar.7. Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over hot water.8. In a separate bowl whisk together the egg and sugar until thick and creamy.9. Mix this into the melted chocolate and fold in the flour and baking powder.10. Pour over the Rhubarb and bake for 20 minutes or until a crust forms –

cool slightly before serving.

Chocolate Brownie &Rhubarb Tart

Recipe from Michael Cook at Garden House

Recipe from Nick at St Catherines

Prune and Almond Tart

Have you seen the old manIn nothing more than ragsCarrying his sole possessionsIn a plastic carrier bagHe looks in all the dustbinsFor food from yesterdayHis shoes have all worn outHe walks and walks all dayHe was born into this worldAnd eventually will dieThere simply is no differenceFrom either you or II wonder what the outcomeWhen he fell along life’s wayIf someone had only picked him upWith a few kind words to say

Ingredients25cm Baked Sweet PastryTart Case200gms Pitted Prunes250gms Caster Sugar250gms Butter

6 Eggs250gms Ground Almonds70gms Self Raising Flour1 Tbs Almond Essence4 Tbs Icing Sugar

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by Norma Burns


We are having an excellent year withregard to the 2011 garden competitions.

All homes where possible are entered, thevarying competition rules prevent us enteringin certain areas, especially when the localvillage needs to be in the ‘Britain in Bloom’before an entry will be accepted.

Judging is based on a broad criteria including:-

Floral displays appropriate to the area with mixof permanent and seasonal plantings. Goodmanagement with no signs of pests anddiseases. Provision of reasonable access andinvolvement in the gardens for residents andfamilies. Hard and soft landscaping projectswith progressive planting schemes. Clean tidyenvironment. Appropriate garden furniture andwheel chair accessibility.

(We do not ‘garden for competitions’ as weexpect a high standard year round, but successis a public recognition to our gardeners for theirhard work and commitment, which is verymuch appreciated.)

GARDEN HOUSE**Awarded a Silver Award in the ‘Berwickin Bloom’ garden competition 2011.Brilliant, straight in with a Silver Award, well done Neil.Thanks to Freda for attending the various meetings withregard to our first involvement in the garden competition.The wrought iron planter baskets under the windows forsummer 2011 have provided glorious colour.The ‘pouches’ which were planted with Busy Lizzies(Impatiens) failed dramatically with a virus; the cooler dampconditions caused them to die off. Lesson learnt!We will be expanding the garden during winter months withtrees and new flower beds.

HEATHERDALEIvan is settled in and making a difference. He intends quite abit of hedge and tree work during winter.Sadly for the summer garden party, I can vouch for thetorrential rain, we had a lovely time indoors tucking into thebarbecue watching the rain cascading from the gutters andacross the gardens!! There have been no drought worries in any gardens this year!

CRAGHALLThis garden is a delightful oasis withinthe outskirts of Newcastle, much admired.Most of the new works this summer have beenaround the Dene area, improved fencing and shrubs.This autumn Lee will be planting large numbers of daffodiland crocus bulbs.

WHORLTON GRANGEThese gardens have had a very good summer, lost a few‘Busy Lizzies’ as previously mentioned, made no difference tothe glorious colour. Interestingly after the very hard winter,the roses in the gardens which were all different shades arenow mainly yellow. We will need to address this over winterwith new roses.

WELLBURN HOUSEThe new rose garden has established wonderfully in the reargarden and is much appreciated by residents.The extended irrigation into the flower beds in the frontgarden has improved them enormously; previously the largetrees around them were drinking any moisture.These roses contributed to Carol winning the “Ladies Rose Bowl”at Ovingham Leek Club Show. Carol also won 1st & 2nd prizesin the cut flower class using flowers from our garden.

RYTON TOWERS**First prize in the 'Britain in Bloom Committee Cup' 2011.Best kept commercial & industrial premises.As well as the extensive colourful gardens around the Home,we have expanded into adjoining Ferndene Park, where weare involved in the sponsorship of a large flower bed, whichwe plant and maintain.We will be continuing this sponsorship through to spring 2012.

EIGHTON LODGE** 1st prize Best Commercial Garden in Gateshead EastSummer Garden Competition We had our best ever British Red Cross Open Garden day inJuly. Mary and her team provided cream teas, which weremuch appreciated. It was wonderful that visitors were ableto sit in the sunshine and admire the gardens, whilst beingentertained by local singer Carrie Canto. The fantastic amountof £566 was raised.Lee was very concerned this spring with the yellow rosebushes, originally it was thought we had lost them, but withconsiderable TLC they are now looking very well. Amazinglythe red roses were fine, but I am sure that all of our gardensare hoping we have a more clement winter.

ST GEORGES**Due to a clerical error we are notcompeting in ‘Sunderland in Bloom’ 2011.The new roses in the long border are a major improvementproviding colour well into the autumn.The large numbers of pots and baskets have been a blaze ofcolour all summer and the new patio is much admired,providing residents on the first floor with an easily accessedoutdoor area.

GLENHOLME HOUSE & DAY CENTRE** Results not announced until October 2011These gardens provide an excellent sheltered area usedregularly by residents and Day Centre clients. Masses of vibrant colour in the borders and the ‘Cosmos’plants are thriving.I am not sure that the raised vegetable garden has been asuccess, as it is north facing and probably the way forward toprovide colour and interest from the overlooking bedrooms inthis area, is to plant it with spring bulbs and summer bedding.

SCALESCEUGH HALLThe only major works in these gardens has been cutting backthe overgrown rhododendrons in the lower formal garden,this was carried out immediately after this year’s floweringand they have recovered well and will flower next season ina more structured shape.

NIGHTINGALE HALL** Awarded first prize in the Richmond Town Council GardenCompetition 2011 – Commercial sectionWhat a result, this was the first time we have entered this gardencompetition, sets the standard for future years! We also hadmany visitors during the Richmond open gardens day.The front and side gardens are well established and thepreviously bland area around the car park has been a blazeof colour all summer.Next year’s challenge is to establish a new garden at the rearafter building works are finished. Hopefully it will be basedaround a central water feature with colourful borders.

ST CATHERINES** Awarded a ‘Yorkshire Rose - Gold’ in the Yorkshire in Bloom2011 garden awards.The Fig tree has ‘survived’ last winter, Brian gave it a majorpruning this spring and there are many new shoots, hopefullythis winter will be not so severe.The new raised beds that Brian has built are much admired,as they are wheelchair friendly and allow smell and touch totake place. The judges especially commented on the planting of sweetpeas, clematis and French beans in front of the screening ofthe bin area being very effective, the colours intertwined andI personally can confirm the beans were delicious.

ROSEVALE** Awarded a ‘Yorkshire Rose - Gold’ inthe Yorkshire in Bloom 2011 garden awards.First entry in this competition, fantastic result.Brian, John and I went to the Yorkshire in Bloom awards lunchand to come away with three gold awards and one silveraward from four entries was brilliant.The whole aspect of this garden has been improved by theremoval of the rickety garden sheds and border infill ofappropriate plants and shrubs.This garden is a riot of colour used regularly by residents andvisitors. I have experienced sitting in the hammock, listeningto the bird song and can confirm this is wonderfully relaxing.

GRIMSTON COURT** Awarded a ‘Yorkshire Rose - Gold’ in the Yorkshire in Bloom2011 garden awards.A successful British Red Cross Gardens Open Day in August 2011.After a wet week, Sunday dawned a sunny day and bright. Asusual the cream teas which Pam and her team provide weremuch appreciated. Pam, Ashley and John were very busyanswering visitor’s queries about the Home and gardens.Credit to the whole team, as it had been their summer fayrethe week before.We raised £290 for the British Red Cross Charity.The orchard had a profusion of fruits this year, cooks Andreasand Andrea were kept busy using the produce for resident’smeals. The poly tunnel provided tomatoes and cucumbers.Eating apples off the trees are keeping the fresh fruit bowlsin the Home well replenished.

RIVERHEAD HALL** Awarded a ‘Yorkshire Rose - Silver’ in the Yorkshire inBloom 2010 garden awards.A very satisfying result for John Ashton, he was thrilled tograde up from last year’s Bronze award.The judges’ report is forwarded with the results and they werevery impressed with the soft fruits area and the espalier applecordon by the road side. Also, with the clearance of groundcover weeds and undergrowth, which has enhanced the areanext to the canal (this is work in progress).The rockery which has been established for a few years, hasbeen ‘freshened’ with year round colour plants and the roofgarden has been completely re-designed and planted withnew bedding.

We are pleased to announce all Well burn's gardeners have al l won awards in 2011

GardenNews

AUTUMN 2011


wellburn newsletter autumn/winter 2011

Documents

wellburn newsletter

lord nelson andwe

raffleand tour

charity days

latest red cross open

summer autumn news

private gardens

registered charity