Activities at Hilderstone Hall Care Home

It was time for tea at Hilderstone Hall, when the residents got together to enjoy an afternoon tea treat of fresh cream cakes, alongside a nice cup of tea. From delicious homemade scones to a classic fluffy Victoria sponge, residents were spoilt for choice with the variety of tasty treats on offer.  A lively debate soon followed as Residents discussed whether it was the jam or cream first!

A Kitchen assistant at Hilderstone Hall has received a prestigious 10-Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 10 years.  Lynn Meyrick started at Barchester in July 2010 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.

Elizabeth Walsh General Manager said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 10-years of loyal service with Lynn. She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Hilderstone Hall when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Lynn!”

Residents were delighted to be able to send a beautiful crafted heart to loved ones to provide a link with family at this time.  A kind well-wisher created a number of gorgeous paired fabric and knitted hearts and sent them to the home to be put to good use. Residents were able to choose a pair of hearts and were then photographed holding them.  The photograph and one heart from the pair was then sent to the resident’s family as a keepsake, whilst the other heart is being kept in pride of place by the resident.

On resident commented, “It’s fantastic to feel that I can send something to my family to show I am thinking of them and love them.  With me keeping one heart, and my grand-daughter having the other really helps me feel a connection between us.”

Residents and staff were extremely  proud to take part in an on-line event in the week preceding Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27th June.  As many national events had to be cancelled, residents felt strongly that they would like to support the #Salute Our Forces event in recognition of the tremendous hard work and dedication shown by men and women in all of our Armed Forces. 

Indeed, some residents have family members who had fought for their country over the years and wanted to pay tribute to them in particular.  Photographs were sent into the Armed Forces website capturing residents and staff showing their best salute.  Some photographs also captured a washing line of flags and crowns recently created at the home by residents to mark Armed Forces Day and the Queen’s official birthday earlier this month. Resident Ambassador, Norman Perry, said, “It’s an honour to take part and to show our respect for all service personnel who do such a tremendous job.”

Hilderstone Hall Care Home brewed up a storm for National Cream Tea day on the 26th June.  Finally putting an end to the controversial debate of cream before jam for the Cornish tradition or jam before cream as part of the Devonshire tradition, Residents enjoyed a fabulous cream tea as they hosted an afternoon tea dance serving up delicious cream scones and fancy cakes accompanied with pots of tea.  A lively debate followed about the correct pronunciation of “scone”  followed by scone “etiquette”.  Is it jam first then cream or the other way around?  Following the cream tea, residents had a fantastic time listening to some classic tea dance music, singing along and tapping their toes.

Lockdown has allowed residents to use their creativi-tea to become tech savvy, and as such family and friends were able to join the par-tea, via video call.  Elizabeth Walsh General Manager said: “Residents really enjoyed the sweets and savouries for National Cream Tea day, we even learnt the history of the British tradition and participated in a few traditions of our own. We are continually adapting, and finding new ways to make sure every effort is focused on creating an enjoyable environment for all of our residents, whilst adhering to social distancing advice. The cream tea has been superb and everyone has had a great day.”

Residents and colleagues at Hilderstone Park came together to enjoy a ‘crowns and tiara’-themed lunch. Residents were treated to mouth-watering burgers, hot dogs washed down with a thirst quenching corona beer served by the homes hospitality team. A glass of bubbles and fruity pimms were also on offer to the delight of the ladies. 

Everyone had the opportunity to create their own bespoke crown to wear for the occasion and the winner of the best design, Resident Joseph Bond won for his 007 themed crown.  After lunch residents and staff raised the roof in a rousing sing-a-long to firm 50s hits that had everyone dancing and toe tapping along too!  Resident, Mary, said she was popping in for fifteen minutes to look at the crowns ending up staying for two hours, so it’s fair to say that it was a very enjoyable event!