Activities at The Cedars Bourne Care Home

This afternoon we enjoyed a mini bus trip to Waterside Garden Centre to see the Christmas decorations followed by a cup of coffee and mince pie in the cafe. The residents have had such a lovely time and returned to our home full of festive cheer.

Residents, volunteers and staff have had another busy at the Cedars decorating our home for the festive season, followed by a glass of wine and mince pies.

Barchester’s The Cedars Care Home in Bourne got in the Christmas spirit by throwing a fun-filled Christmas party for residents.  The Cedars Christmas party was in full swing with live music from local vocalist and guitarist Mark Bishop; before having a special visit from Santa Claus who dropped by to test their Christmas knowledge in the ‘Best Of Christmas’  quiz. Santa then dropped by residents rooms to say hello and find out their Christmas wishes.

Our residents finished their party afternoon with a feast of festive foods prepared by the home’s chef, Gee Jowett. With a choice of roast lamb or salmon wellington for their main, enjoyed with a glass of bubbly, they almost couldn’t finish their desserts!

Across our services, Residents enjoyed a fantastic virtual tour of the Donkey Sanctuary Manchester.  Residents were thrilled to meet the lovely herd of donkeys, including Henry and his best friend Tiny Tim and to learn more about their every day care.  They were introduced to the sanctuary’s work and the impact they make to the lives of donkeys in need worldwide.  The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all.

Ron had a very special visitor this morning. Bourne Mayor Anna Kelly and Town Clarke Ian Sismey presented Ron with framed official photographs from last week's Remembrance Day Memorial Service.

Bomber Command Veteran Ronald Priest (100) was honoured to be asked to lay a wreath at the town memorial service on Sunday.

Ronald Priest worked in accountancy before the war and then served as a rear gunner, flying twenty five operations with 149 Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, in a Stirling Aircraft. He describes the aircraft as very reliable. It had four engines but it couldn’t get much height- it could only go 10-12,000 feet maximum.  During the war he had many life changing experiences- including a crash landing; dogfights over the North Sea and witnessing a plane crash.

His last flight was in 1946, when he was injured in battle. He recalls: ‘When I landed that last time and I was getting out of the turret, my co-pilot asked what was wrong with my eye. I said nothing? He said ‘it’s a ball of blood’. The paramedics came to see me and there were two pieces of metal in my eye. I was in Ely hospital for two weeks. They got the metal out with a giant magnet that they lowered onto my head. I was very lucky because there was no damage to my eye!’

As well as marking Remembrance Day by wearing poppies and watching the televised service from The Cenotaph, residents were also entertained by local vocalist Nicky Downes, who performed wartime classics on Armistice Day.