Activities at Overslade House Care Home

Staff and residents at Overslade House joined fellow keen quizzers from over 250 Barchester care homes and hospitals across the whole of the UK, including Wales, Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Wight, to put their collective general knowledge to the test.

The inaugural Barchester Big Quiz of the Year took place on 9th January 2024 when Overslade House got super competitive and took on its sister homes from all over the country to find out which Barchester home or hospital had the best quizzers.  From historical humdingers and musical musings to pictorial puzzlers and connective conundrums, the homes battled it out to find out who would prevail.

Nathan, resident at Overslade House said: “It has been a lovely afternoon. We scored a very respectable 27/30 questions. It was wonderful to see everyone in all the other homes joining in. I really enjoyed getting together with my fellow residents to take on the other homes – it is amazing how competitive everyone gets!”

Celebrations have been in full swing at Overslade House, as one of it’s residents reached her 90th Birthday in style.

Liz Nixon was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she received a champagne reception at the home and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Joanne Kolat-Furca.

Liz was a keen golfer and originally came from Lancashire before coming to Overslade House, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life.

The birthday girl, said: “Am I really 90? Well I don’t feel it are you sure?” when asked her secret to staying young Liz said “well you have got to keep active while you can and for as long as you can, haven’t you”

Overslade House had a wonderful Christmas Day, 84 presents were delivered to all of our residents. It was so lovely to see friends, relatives and the local community enjoying Christmas Lunch at the home. Many thanks also to Paddox Primary School for their lovely handmade Christmas cards for our residents. Following this Julie Bateman Activities Lead and Activities assistant Martin Higgs  headed off to the Ben charity in Railway Terrace where they were serving Christmas Lunch to people alone on Christmas Day, to hand out Christmas Goodie Bags containing soup, coffee, mince pies, cake, chocolate, marshmallows and a pair of warm socks.

Overslade House wanted to give to the Benn Charity to say thanks for all they do and to give the gift of Christmas to those spending Christmas alone.  The Benn Charity welcomed visitors into their hall in Railway Terrace and supplied Christmas dinners for people who were alone Christmas Day.  The Charity helps Children, young, people, elderly/old people, and the General Public, with Education/training, Arts, culture, heritage and science, Economic/community, Development/employment by providing Human Resources, buildings/facilities/open space, and advice and information services.

John, resident at Overslade House said: “Christmas is a time for giving but also for being with your family and friends I hope that those who were alone this Christmas will have some comfort and Joy from our gift bags”

William Thompson (Bill) was joined by staff, relatives, and friends as he celebrated another landmark birthday. Guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Joanne Kolat-Furca.

Bill came from a family of 10 siblings but has survived all of his siblings.

Bill worked on planes as an RAF Engineer and was drafted to India during his service. Bill’s first job at the age of 14 was at a butcher’s in Rugby town centre delivering orders on a bicycle. Bill tells how his father had a cow in a paddock behind the house that helped to keep the grass down, they had no running water or electricity and the toilet was at the bottom of the garden in Lower Street, Hillmorton. Bill married Florence in 1947 and they were married for 68 years.

Bill became the Manager at Paddox butchers and was there for 35 years, we managed to find a newspaper article from 1979 showing Bill at the butchers, we couldn’t believe the price of the newspaper!   Bill also owned a small holding with pigs and chickens. This was jointly owned with his brother, along with five shops in Hillmorton, the fish and chip shop, a veg and haberdashery shop that was run by his mother another shop was rented out as a post office. Bill received his Telegram from the Queen on reaching 100 years of age and apparently married the same year as the Queen and Prince Phillip.

During their happy marriage Bill and Florence had four children, 3 daughters and one son.

When asked the secret to a long life Bill said, “I never smoked, I like a good whiskey, keep a good appetite, and most of all keep working and keep going as long as you can”

All sounds like good advice to us Bill we shall do our best.

Overslade House got in to the Christmas spirit by having a Christmas Lights Tour on our mini bus

Residents and staff had a brilliant time starting off with coffee, wine, mince pies and cake at Hilltop Farm Café in Hunningham.  The Farm overlooks six counties on a clear day and even the local livestock joined us hoping for mince pies.  As we enjoyed our mince pies and wine, we waited for the sun to set and embarked on the second part of our trip.

There were lots of ooh’s and ah’s and “oh how wonderful” as we passed through the lovely village of Eathorpe where every house was decorated for Christmas. Our tour then took us through the village of Dunchurch famous for Guy Fawkes staying here to work on his gun powder plot and where some of the houses had gone totally overboard with Christmas decorations much to our admiration.

Maureen, resident at Overslade House said: “We have all had the most wonderful time visiting Hilltop Farm and the Christmas Lights.  How lovely to be able to visit places like this and enjoy the atmosphere, it has made us all feel so Christmassy!”

Heavenly voices rang out at Overslade House as the community came together to celebrate Christmas with a carol concert from Rugby Male Voice Choir

Staff and residents at Overslade House, got in the Christmas spirit by inviting the community, friends and relatives  to come and join them with a carol concert to sing some festive Christmas favourites.  The singing was led by Rugby Male Voice Choir

There was mulled wine, hot chocolate, and home-made mince pies, along with lots of other Christmas treats all prepared by head chef, Joanne Kolat-Furca to get everyone feeling festive.

Eve and John, residents at Overslade House said: “We love to sing Christmas carols so it was wonderful to hear all our old favourites sung so beautifully by the Rugby Male Voice Choir, there really is nothing better than a good old singalong!”