Celebrating life at Barchester

Yesterday here at Mulberry Court we had the pleasure of welcoming David from the mobile police museum for the second time.
This time he told us all about the work of the mounted officers and the vital role they play within the force.
Residents, their families and staff all listened with great interest as David showed us articles and photographs relating to the topic. There were many happy faces as we all got to try on the various uniforms and handle the artifacts.
Thank you David for another wonderful, interactive session.

Yesterday evening here at Mulberry Court we held a cheese and wine evening where we invited our residents, their families, their friends and the community to come together.
A pleasant evening was had as wine and conversation flowed, all while enjoying the selection of cheeses which including brie, stilton and Wensleydale.
Thank you for joining us, more details on our next early evening event to follow in due course.

We are down at Tesco Extra today in Clifton Moor promoting our care home’s services and upcoming events. We are offering support and advice to members of the local community who may be unsure about the process of moving into a care home or funding care.

Ashlar House was filled with sunshine, laughter and excitement as residents, families and staff came together to enjoy our wonderful Summer Fete.

Our home is more than just a place to live it is a community filled with friendship, shared experiences and treasured memories. Our Summer Fete was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together, enjoy each other’s company and create even more special moments.

With a wonderful Hawaiian theme bringing a tropical feel to the day, our amazing staff helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. From the early preparations to the celebrations themselves, there was a real sense of excitement throughout Ashlar House. 
It was a day all about community, togetherness and having fun. The smiles, laughter and conversations shared throughout the fete made it a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved.

At Ashlar House, we believe that life should be filled with meaningful moments, opportunities to connect with others and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Events like our Summer Fete bring our community together and help us continue making wonderful memories as part of the Ashlar House family.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special. Here’s to sunshine, friendship, laughter and another beautiful chapter in the Ashlar House story! 

Our Paws & Community Dog Show brought together residents, families, furry friends and the wider community for an afternoon filled with joy, laughter and plenty of wagging tails.
Our very own residents took centre stage as our esteemed judges, joined by two wonderful Dog Experts, Eve and Harvi, who guided us through a fantastic celebration of our four-legged companions. 
With a wonderful range of categories, everyone had the chance to take part, with some very deserving winners taking home beautiful rosettes and an amazing dog hamper. 
A big thank you to Blakes Pet Foods for their generous donation and support, which helped make this event even more special . We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed, participated and helped create such a memorable day.
What a paw-some day!

The sounds of beloved classics filled the room as the team from the Royal Albert Hall brought a wonderful afternoon of music and nostalgia to Peony Court. As part of the visit, residents were introduced to the Royal Albert Hall Songbook, a beautifully presented collection celebrating the rich musical heritage of one of the world's most iconic venues. The songbook became a talking point, with residents enjoying the opportunity to browse through its pages, share memories, and discuss some of the songs it featured. The highlight of the afternoon came when the team treated residents to a live performance of classic songs. Familiar melodies encouraged singing along, and reminiscing as the music transported many residents back to treasured moments from their past. “It was such a lovely afternoon. I really enjoyed looking through the songbook and hearing all the familiar songs. The music brought back so many wonderful memories for me.’’ Shirley said excitedly. Paul, the Activities coordinator also added that, "We would like to thank the Royal Albert Hall team for their visit and for sharing their passion for music with our residents. Their performance and the fascinating songbook will be remembered for a long time to come.’’

Our residents recently enjoyed a lovely outing to Morden Hall Park, making the most of the beautiful summer weather. The weather provided the perfect opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and spend quality time together in the picturesque surroundings of the park. To keep cool on the warm day, residents treated themselves to a refreshing ice cream, which was enjoyed by all. There were plenty of smiles, laughter, and conversations as everyone relaxed and took in the peaceful scenery. Marlene, our resident ambassador, said: "The weather was beautiful, and it was lovely to be out in the sunshine. I really enjoyed spending the day with everyone." The trip was a fantastic way to celebrate the summer season, creating happy memories while giving residents the opportunity to enjoy nature, friendship and a well-deserved treat.

Families, friends, and residents came together at Peony for a fabulous afternoon tea filled with laughter, entertainment and wonderful company. The afternoon was made extra special by the talented Kate Basset, who entertained everyone with a selection of popular country music favourites. Residents thoroughly enjoyed the performance, humming along to the tunes and tapping their feet to the music. Our 2nd Chef, Kerry, prepared a delicious selection of freshly made pastries, sandwiches and cakes, which everyone loved. This gathering was meaningful for Paul, our Activities Coordinator, as his parents also joined us for the tea party. They had a wonderful time meeting residents, enjoying the entertainment and sharing in the warm community spirit that makes our home so special. Charles, General Manager at Peony Court, shared: "It was fantastic to see residents, relatives and friends enjoying themselves together. Our afternoon tea at the court is always a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, create special memories and celebrate the strong sense of community we have here at Peony Court."

South Grange were delighted to welcome back the talented Basin Belle Dancers who brought a wonderful burst of colour and energy with their spectacular ‘Carnival’ theme. Their vibrant costumes, dazzling performances and infectious enthusiasm lifted everyone’s spirits and filled the room with joy. 
Creating a truly memorable afternoon for all the residents, family members and staff who attended. The group immediately lifted the mood as they began their performance and smiles spread across everyone’s faces.    

They warmly encouraged the residents, family members and staff to join in, and several of them happily got up to dance, clapping, swaying along and having a wonderful time. It was such a lovely afternoon  enjoyed by all those involved.