Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Dame Vera Lynn was Britain’s wartime Forces’ Sweetheart, famed for her morale boosting songs including ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ that supported and inspired both troops abroad and civilians at home during the Second World War.

The wistful songs Vera Lynn sang resonated emotionally with people who were separated from their loved ones, and the songs’ messages of yearning and optimism, along with Lynn’s down-to-earth style were heard in millions of British homes too, via the wireless.

So, this afternoon, Tyspane Care Home Activities Team welcomed The D-Day Dollies from Mini Concerts to perform a compilation of war time songs for residents, families, friends and, staff. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

David Prior (Resident Ambassador) thanked the ladies from Mini Concerts for a spectacular afternoon and invited them back for Christmas.

Peter Brown (Resident) stated, “I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Doreen Neate (Resident), “I would like to thank everyone who helped organise this wonderful event, it was amazing.”

The gentlemen from Barnstaple Men’s Choir have been visiting Tyspane Care Home for many years to perform to residents, families, friends and staff. The gentlemen sing acapella style which means without instrumental accompaniment, their performance is simply breath taking. 

Tyspane Care Home appreciates that community volunteers are important as they help our residents enjoy different experiences, stay connected to the local community, and support social interactions which are important in preventing loneliness. 

Furthermore, imagine our surprise when the local Braunton TESCO champions turned up and performed with the Choir. It really was an afternoon for the community coming together to support our residents. 

David J Prior (Resident) gave a speech after the last song stating, “Thank you so much for your support and commitment over the years, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Happy retirement and please feel free to visit anytime as a guest or resident!”

We wish them all a happy retirement, they have been amazing community volunteers.

Maura Johns, began working for Barchester Healthcare, Tyspane Care Home in September 1994 as a Registered Nurse and has been dedicated to residents and their relatives, ensuring their needs are met, ever since.

Maura stated, “I love the people who work and live at Tyspane Care Home and have made lots of friends past and present. What’s not to like about Tyspane, that’s why I have stayed for thirty years.”

Aime Bown (General Manager) replied, “It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live. I am proud of Maura’ s achievement, we’re delighted to be celebrating 30 years of loyal service with Maura, she has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year."
 

The Armistice was an agreement which ended the fighting of the First World War. It was the prelude to peace negotiations and commenced at 11am on 11th November 1918. As a result, Remembrance is now part of modern British life, culture, and heritage. It is a particular feature of the nation's calendar each year when public, private, formal, and informal Remembrance events take place throughout the UK.

At Tyspane Care Home we have a number of residents who remember the Second World War and others who were on active service, as well as residents who were involved in one way or another in other twentieth century conflicts.

This year, Tyspane Care Home welcomed Reverend David Baker and guests from St Brannocks church. The Reverend David Baker delivered a thoughtful and heart-warming service, tributes were paid to the families of the Armed Forces community and the emergency services, and the lives of innocent civilians that were lost in conflict.

David J Prior (Resident Ambassador) stated, “It was a wonderful service, very emotional. The two-minute silence is a time for reflection and to show respect and gratitude to the armed forces past and present who have lost their lives fighting for their country.”

Babs Spear (Physiotherapist) replied, “The Church plays a vital role in helping the nation remember those lost to war, and praying for peace.”

There’s no denying the adrenaline rush that comes from a motorcycle ride. This thrill, this exhilaration, stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. This biochemical reaction partially explains the sheer joy many riders experience. In addition, motorcycle riding is often synonymous with freedom. Straddling a bike, feeling the wind against your face, hearing the roar of the engine – it’s an indescribable feeling that transcends the everyday mundanity. The open road offers an escape from the constraints of our daily lives, a sense of liberation that isn’t easily found elsewhere.

With these wonderful thoughts in our mind, we would like to thank John a resident at Tyspane Care Home and his supportive family; Becky, Susan, Gemma, James and David for bringing in a KTM motorbike. The KTM integrates cutting-edge technology, such as ride-by-throttle and ABS systems which enhances both performance and overall reliability. Residents, families, friends and staff stood outside on a beautiful Autumn afternoon admiring the KTM motorbike whilst sharing technical information as well as stories about riding a motorbike, past and present.

According to James, “The KTM are known for their durability, performance, and off-road capabilities as well as being great ride.”

It was a wonderful afternoon definitely one to be remembered. So ride big, ride long, ride free!

Halloween music's precursor is blues music, which was nicknamed "the devil's music" by detractors. The genre featured secular, and often risky lyrics, as well as themes relating to racial oppression. For these reasons, detractors associated it with unholiness. Blues music is defined in part by the blues scale, which can be used to create dissonant and "spooky" sounds. Blues music influenced Halloween songs such as "I Put a Spell on You".

In the 1950s and 1960s, various doo-wop groups, groups influenced by blues music, began to release novelty Halloween-themed songs. "Monster Mash" is an example of such a novelty doo-wop Halloween song. Despite its Halloween themes, doo-wop Halloween music from this era is largely indistinguishable from non-Halloween themed doo-wop music in terms of musical characteristics.

Following the 1960s, Halloween music began to split into various other genres aside from the blues and doo-wop. Classic and hard rock music also included sinister themes, and as such have been associated with Halloween. Songs such as "Highway to Hell" and "Sympathy for the Devil", which are both often considered to be Halloween music, feature blues notes and blues-inspired chord progressions.

Having this understanding of Halloween music residents, friends, families and staff were treated to a spooky but fun afternoon of Karaoke with the bewitching Terry. His piercing voice was enough to raise the hairs on the backs of resident’s necks.