Celebrating life at Barchester

Thistle Hill Care Home in Knaresborough marked the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in style by throwing a 1940s afternoon tea party to remember.  The home was decorated in red, white and blue and residents and staff dressed up in their 1940s-inspired glad rags and enjoyed an afternoon of big band music and dancing.

Head chef Ewalina whipped up a delicious selection of freshly-baked biscuits, sandwiches, cakes and pastries for the occasion, all washed down with pots of tea and a celebratory glass of fizz to mark the occasion.

Residents and Staff were in awe of the majestic birds of prey that came to visit the home. Along with their trainers from Rutland Outdoor Pursuits, residents watched a stunning display of flying and feeding from Storm the Barn Owl, Nancy the Tawny Owl, Little Frankie the African Scots Owl and Moaning Myrtle the Harris Hawk; before having a chance to hold the beautiful birds. We also learnt some fascinating facts, including that the USA native Harris Hawk has all round vision- which is where we get the phrase ‘Hawk Eyed’; and that Barn Owls were call Ghost Owls in medieval England due to their silent flight. 

Resident Sheila said ‘It’s hard to believe we are so close when they are flying!’, whilst Barbara commented that ‘You could really feel the wind! If I’d’ave washed my hair she’d of dried it for us’!

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful art therapy session.

There’s something truly special about watching creativity come to life—whether it’s through painting, drawing, or simply exploring colours and textures. The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and a real sense of calm as everyone expressed themselves in their own unique way.

Art therapy isn’t just about making something beautiful; it’s about connection, relaxation, and giving our residents a chance to share their stories without words. 

We’re so proud of the amazing artwork created  and even more grateful for the joy it brought to everyone involved.       

Our residents enjoyed a lively community ladies morning, welcoming several local organisations for a celebration of friendship and local heritage.

The event saw a diverse range of guests join residents for refreshments and conversation, including members from the St. Guthlac’s Ladies Guild, the Deepings Bowls Club Ladies, and professional representatives from WP Legal and Anglian Water. 

At Florence Court we kick started celebrating VE Day with a wonderful afternoon full of music, laughter, tea and cake.

Our residents had a brilliant time singing along to classic songs and joining in with karaoke, there were smiles all around! A special thank you to our lovely chef Jander for the beautiful homemade cakes which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

We were also treated to a beautiful performance of Over the Rainbow by our carer Faith, which made the afternoon even more special.

Thank you to all the staff involved in making it a truly lovely afternoon, spent together making happy memories.

Yesterday brought lots of smiles, laughter, and a little bit of magic to our care home as Easter arrived and residents enjoyed an Easter egg.

A trolley full of delicious Easter eggs, the staff delivering sweet treats and spreading joy to all our wonderful residents. There were plenty of giggles, warm moments, and even a few photos with their eggs. 

Moments like these mean so much, bringing everyone together and making the day extra special. A big thank you to our staff for brightening our home and creating such lovely memories!         

Spent a lovely afternoon getting creative, painting all sorts of fun ice cream shapes, from classic cones to colourful sundaes, it was such a relaxing way to unwind.

Even better, we got to enjoy some real ice cream along the way, because inspiration is always sweeter with a treat! Great conversation, lots of laughs, and a perfect reminder of how simple moments can be the most special.           

Are you good at painting?  

There’s nothing quite like a bit of sunshine to lift the spirits.

Yesterday, our residents didn’t want to play a game indoors and, because we empowered our residents and adapt, we made the most of the beautiful weather here at Harper Fields care home, spending time out in our lovely grounds and appreciating all the hard work that has been going on. It’s been wonderful to see the progress our landscapers have made so far – each day bringing new touches that make the gardens even more special.            

Residents enjoyed a relaxing afternoon with a nice cup of tea, good conversation, and the simple pleasure of soaking up the peace and quiet. Moments like these remind us how important it is to slow down and enjoy the little things.

We’re so proud of how our outdoor spaces are coming together and can’t wait to see the finished result!