Celebrating life at Barchester

This week we helped resident Ian celebrate his 90th birthday. The sparklers on Ian’s luscious birthday cake lite the room with joy almost as much as Ian face lite up when he held his great great grandson the super smiley; Thomas Arthur!

Happy birthday Ian from all at Cepen Lodge.

Using twigs and beautiful faux red berries our arty ladies enjoyed twisting each berry sprig to create these life-like decorative branches in preparation for our homes Valentine's Day celebrations.

The wonderful students of Hardenhuish School had fun playing Jenga with our residents. Brick by brick the tension increased as each tried to avoid the tower tumbling down!

Jenga is a game of physical skill that supports hand-eye coordination and decision making, old and young thoroughly enjoyed playing together.

What more of a boost to start the year on a positive note could our care team receive than a personal message of thanks from the residents and family members.

These beautiful notes mean so very much to all the staff at Cepen Lodge, caring for you all is an honour and privilege. 

Happy New Year, let’s keep smiling, laughing and generally enjoying life together throughout 2026

Happy New Year from everyone at Cepen Lodge!

We had a super Hogmanay being entertained by D'Artagnan and enjoying a glass of fizz before the fireworks to bring in the new year.

Over the Christmas period we were visited by the amazing knitter Myrtle, and her friend Bob; both new friends our residents have made when attending the Chippenham Community Hub. It was a delight to see them and they came baring gifts; adorable hand crafted in woolly Hedgehogs for our Memory Lane community.

Myrtle arrived in her fabulous hand knitted Christmas Candy Cane outfit to brighten our resident’s day with her basketed ‘prickle of soft and squishy hedgehogs’ to handout and bring smiles to everyone’s face. 

What a wonderful act of kindness, we thank you so much for visiting and gifting such a thoughtful keepsake

On the 23rd December we held our homes’ Christmas Party with entertainment from the fabulous singer Tony Meacock.

He has a knack of getting the whole room singing, swinging and swaying to his rhythmic tunes. It was such fun before we settled down to enjoy a wonderful festive buffet prepared by our super chefs!

At Cepen Lodge we all love it when the James Family and Baptist Church join us and this year’s carol service was something very special. We thank them for their continued spiritual and uplifting services.

Every resident within the Cepen Lodge communities had the chance to meet 'Vino' the dapple gray therapy horse from Happy Hooves Equine Ltd - Equine Assisted Therapy.

Vino the American miniature pony gravitates to people living with dementia. He's so gentle, happy to snuggle-in and be stroked, his visit with handler Laura made our residents day truly special.

All animals are special, but at Christmas time this little visitor brought an extra helping of wonderment and festive magic.