Activities at Edingley Lodge Care Home

Emergency Services Day was a day truly fun-filled and meaningful, as we came together to celebrate Emergency Services Day and say a heartfelt thank you to those who do so much for us. In the morning, we were delighted to welcome members of the ambulance service, and In the afternoon the firefighters joined us too. Both were gifted cakes to enjoy here with us, as well as sweet treats and extra cakes to take back to share with their colleagues—they were so grateful, and it was lovely to see their smiles. 

We also made sure our nurses and local surgeries knew how appreciated they are, with a few little goodies to brighten their day. The real joy came from the chats, the smiles, and the gratitude shared—it reminded us just how important it is to stop and acknowledge the amazing work these teams do every single day. Thank you to all who keep us safe, supported, and cared for—you are truly appreciated.

The 20th May was a very special day at Edingley Lodge as we marked a truly incredible milestone, Regs' 101st Birthday! The morning began with a gentle exercise session to get everyone moving and in good spirits. Later, Reg was joined by his family for a lovely birthday lunch, full of laughter and conversation. Afterward, we gathered together to sing "Happy Birthday" and enjoy some delicious cake and drinks in his honour.

To make Reg’s day even more special, we had a surprise visit from members of a local rugby team. Reg has always had a deep love for the sport, having played it for many years, so we knew this would mean a lot to him. The players spent time with him, chatting, passing the ball around, and sharing a few laughs. It was heart-warming to see Reg light up—clearly enjoying the familiar sights and sounds of a game that had been such a big part of his life.

It was a lovely day spent celebrating such a big birthday, one to remember! 

Edingley Lodge Care Home marked VE Day in a meaningful and memorable way with a special visit to the Newark Air Museum, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who served during the Second World War.

The outing was part of the care home's commitment to enriching the lives of its residents through community engagement and historical reflection. Several residents, some of whom are veterans or grew up during wartime Britain, enjoyed guided tours of the museum’s wartime exhibits and shared personal stories.

What a brilliant afternoon we had when ZooLab came to visit! We gathered in the lounge with all the residents who wanted to join in (and a few who preferred to watch from a comfy distance) and spent time meeting some truly fascinating creatures. Everyone was so eager to get involved — there was lots of laughter and excitement as residents took turns to observe, gently touch, and even hold the animals. 

We met a corn snake, a giant snail, a spider, a millipede, a frog, and a tortoise, while learning amazing facts about each one. To make sure no one missed out, a couple of the animals were also taken along to visit a resident in their room so they could enjoy the experience too — a really thoughtful touch that meant a lot. It was such an interesting and memorable afternoon, full of smiles, curiosity, and conversation. Many residents said how much they loved it — and how wonderful it was to learn something new!

We recently had the pleasure of a truly wonderful trip aboard the Newark Crusader—and what a memorable day it was!
Our adventure began with everyone excitedly hopping aboard the bus, ready for a day out on the water. Once we arrived, we made our way onto the boat, found our seats, and set off for a peaceful and picturesque journey along the river.

We cruised gently down to Farnham Marina, taking in the calm water and stunning surroundings, before turning and heading back upstream toward Newark Lock. It was a real highlight as we experienced going through the lock—a first for many of us, and a fascinating part of the journey that everyone really enjoyed! We were also lucky enough to be joined by some of our residents’ family members, which made the day feel even more special. Sharing the experience with loved ones brought extra smiles, laughter, and lovely moments to remember.

From there, we continued past the beautiful Newark Castle, all the way to the top of the route before turning around again to head back to our starting point, Newark Marina. Along the way, we soaked up the sights of nature—spotting birds, ducks, and peaceful riverside scenery. There was plenty of chatter, laughter, and moments of quiet appreciation as the world gently floated by.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch on board made by our lovely chef, which made the experience even more special.  We were then treated with a lovely cup of tea or coffee served by the kind and welcoming staff on board. Their hospitality really added to the enjoyment of the day.

To top it all off, the sunshine stayed with us throughout the cruise, only turning to rain just as we were stepping back onto the bus—perfect timing!   

We had such a lovely day, enjoying nature, good company, and a few sweet treats along the way.
We started the morning with a lovely trip just around the corner to a peaceful river viewpoint, bringing along a box of ice cream to enjoy. Sitting by the water, watching the river flow, and soaking up the sunshine made for a perfect start to the day. 

We were also joined by a resident’s family member, which made it even more special—there were plenty of stories shared and smiles exchanged. It truly was a beautiful reminder that it doesn’t take much to make a moment meaningful.

In the afternoon, the fun continued with a cocktail tasting session back at home. We sampled a range of cocktails and mocktails, and even got hands-on making some of our own! The elderflower drink turned out to be a firm favourite. Some of our ladies enjoyed their drinks out in the sun, while we made sure everyone could join in by taking the cocktail trolley around to residents in their rooms.

A big cheers to sunshine, stories, and shared moments!

Edingley lodge was bursting with colour and creativity as residents geared up for some Easter Bonnet making. Some gathered around the table, proudly wearing hats decked out with flowers, feathers, and the occasional bouncing chicks. Others joined in from the comfort of their rooms, with staff kindly helping them if they needed. The bonnets were brilliant — fun, creative, and full of personality. 

We even handed out a few prizes to our winners, which brought lots of smiles (and a bit of friendly competition!). The judges had a tough time choosing winners. Prizes were handed out for first, second and third place, but most importantly, everyone left with something special- a big smile and a feeling of pride. Whether from a chair in the lounge or a bed by the window, everyone enjoyed taking part in the fun. 

This past weekend we had the absolute joy of celebrating the incredible milestone of our wonderful resident Roy, who turned 100 years young! Roy’s birthday was so special that we enjoyed two full days of celebrations. On Sunday, Roy was surprised by his close family, some who had travelled from different parts of the world to spend the day with him. It was a heartwarming afternoon filled with delicious buffet food prepared by our amazing chef, a spectacular birthday cake, and, most importantly, time together with his loved ones.

On Monday, the celebrations continued in a way that couldn’t have been more perfect for Roy. Having grown up with a lifelong love of motorbikes, we put out a simple request to our local community for a few bikers to join us and wish him a happy birthday. To our amazement, over 50 bikers arrived! 
The morning was filled with the sights and sounds Roy had loved all his life — gleaming bikes of every kind and, even more importantly, kind-hearted people who gave their time to make his day unforgettable. Strangers came with thoughtful birthday cards, meaningful gifts, and even a hand-drawn card for the birthday boy. One biker even gave Roy the chance to rev the engine of his bike. To see Roy’s face light up as he admired the bikes, chatted with riders and soaked up the atmosphere, was something none of us will forget. 

Roy expressed how much of a beauty all the bikes were! Everyone stood together to sing Happy Birthday, and the joy on his face said it all. Roy himself said he was at a loss for words and beyond happy, which summed up the incredible feeling of the day. For Roy, motorbikes have been a passion since his younger years, and it was incredibly moving to see him surrounded by something so close to his heart — he said it brought back lots of happy memories. After such an exciting morning, we ended the day with Roy opening his presents and cards from us all. And thanks to the kindness of other Barchester homes across the country, Roy received cards not only from nearby but also from Wales, Scotland, and beyond. These are now proudly displayed in his room for him to enjoy. It was an amazing celebration for an amazing man— one filled with love, laughter, and community spirit.

On Thursday 8th May, we began our VE Day celebrations with a meaningful and memorable trip to the Newark Air Museum. Our residents enjoyed a peaceful walk around the museum grounds, taking in the fascinating aircraft displays and immersing themselves in the powerful exhibition inside. 

The exhibition featured a wealth of historical artefacts and personal stories—some of which were quite moving—and these really brought the era to life, sparking heartfelt memories and conversations amongst our group. After exploring the incredible planes outside and soaking up the atmosphere, we returned home feeling reflective and inspired. 

The afternoon continued with a warm gathering alongside the WI, where we shared stories, laughter, and delicious VE Day-themed treats—complete with a cup of tea or coffee. It was a truly special day filled with history, connection, and community spirit—just the way we like to celebrate.

It was The Grand National Ladies Day over the weekend and what a fantastic day we spent celebrating at Edingley Lodge! Everyone looked absolutely stunning in their fascinators and hats, adding a touch of elegance and glamour to the occasion. 

We toasted with bubbles, sat inside or out, as we embraced the excitement of the Grand National festivities. To keep the fun going, we held a sweepstake where lucky winners walked away with chocolates or sweets! It was a day full of joy, fun, and wonderful moments spent together!