Activities at The Cedars Bourne Care Home

We celebrated the New Year in style here at The Cedars to welcome in 2025!

After a delicious New Year’s Day lunch of prawn cocktail and roast lamb with all the trimmings, we were entertained and mystified by the one and only Magic Merlin. 

He captivated us back in August on our Carnival Day, and it was a great delight to have him return and thrill us with his circus tricks, balloon craft and magic once more. 

It was so much fun to, "have a go", at Bronze, Silver and Gold juggling, feather balancing and plate spinning. A big thank you to Paul, Jill and Fran for being the best magicians' assistants!!!

Residents at The Cedars were thrilled to see the beautiful birds both in the Garden Lounge and in individual bedrooms. Every resident was given the opportunity to hold one of these beautiful and majestic birds, as well as be treated to a display of flight that wowed them all.

Five owls-including a Tawney owl, two barn owls and a long-eared owl visited us with Falconer Ryan, along with a falcon called Maverick. Residents were interested in learning about the birds-did you know that the reason owls stand out from other birds is that they are the only bird with eyes on the front of their heads, and that an owl (if he could read) could read a newspaper headline from up to one mile away?
 

We are so lucky to have such wonderful support from our community. 

On Saturday, our good friend and local artist Clive Cole donated hours of his time to decorate the windows in our beautiful Garden Lounge. 

With just a few cans of snow spray and his unique style RHYSart2000, our windows have been transformed into a winter wonderland, with frosty baubles hanging in every pane. 

Residents, staff and visitors have all commented on the stunning design, and we would all like to say a big 'thank you' for his hard work, that will be enjoyed by us all over the festive season.

Our Christmas Party was celebrated in style today with a visit from one of our favourite singers Mr. Alan Jackson. 

Dressed in his debonair Christmas Suit he sang some beautiful renditions from his amazing repertoire; with his comedy we laughed, with his jolly we sang along, and then, there were the magical moments that took us back to another time, touching and heart felt. 

He took requests and delivered them all...a very special one was Silent Night for Ellen, especially as she managed to get him to sing it twice, once just for her as he was leaving. It was so lovely to have so many family members join us as well and staff popping in and out to share the experience and create such a wonderful atmosphere.

To everyone in the kitchen, the residents have asked to convey their thanks to you for such a wonderful spread at the after show Christmas Party. The tables were laid with decorations, crackers, hats and Christmas favours, a special Christmas Buffet was served with wine and bubbles, with trifle, chocolate fudge cake and profiteroles to follow. As all was being served we Christmas quizzed and sang carols...a really, very, merry time was had by all!

"Does this ring a bell with you?"

We had so much fun trying out hand bell ringing today! For a first attempt we managed a few tunes that everyone could also sing along too. We started with Twinkle Twinkle little star, followed by Jingle Bells and then there was no stopping us as we enjoyed ringing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, The first Noel and In The Bleak Mid Winter. 

Joan said "it was so lovely to do something so different" and Dorothy and Pauline both said "It would be nice to have some more sessions to practice and get better and even try some different carols."

Residents and guests enjoyed an elegant afternoon of tea tasting and cakes, based on the incredible Betty’s Tearooms in Harrogate, the pop up café included sampling a selection of different teas, including floral and fruity, loose leaf, traditional and bubble teas; accompanied by wonderful fresh baked scone with jam, quiche, salmon wraps, sausage rolls, cookies, meringues and mini eclairs, handmade by home chef Julie  Gelsthorpe.

There was much laughter and many compliments on the day. Visitors and residents loved the vintage tea room, and the traditional serving outfits worn by the team