Activities at Upton Bay Care Home

The morning began with the highly anticipated Upton Baking Show, featuring the renowned baker Alain. The highlight of the show was the preparation of the beloved Upton Christmas Cake. Residents gathered around, eager to learn Alain's expert techniques and secret recipe for this cherished holiday treat.

After the baking show, it was time for a well-deserved brunch. The residents enjoyed a delicious meal together, savouring the flavours and engaging in lively conversations. Energised and ready for more holiday fun, they boarded a bus for a trip to Haskins Garden Centre.

Upon arrival at the garden centre, the residents were greeted with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. They took a moment to relax and enjoy a warm cup of coffee before embarking on their quest for the perfect last-minute Christmas presents. The garden centre was filled with an array of beautiful decorations, plants, and unique gift items, providing ample choices for the residents to find something special for their loved ones.

The day at Haskins Garden Centre was a delightful blend of relaxation, shopping, and festive spirit. The residents returned to Upton Bay with their arms full of carefully chosen presents, ready to spread joy and love during the holiday season.

The show featured eight categories, starting with the Best Christmas Belle, which was won by the sweet-natured Ruby. Maverick stole the show in the Best Christmas Beau category

Jenny, the Upton Bay Caring Canine, took home the prize for Best Rudoff the Red Nose Reindeer. Peggy, a beautiful black and white dog, won the category for the dog with the most Angelic face.

Anna and Jacob, the adorable Dachshunds, proudly claimed victory in the Best Yule Log category, which had a fun Christmas theme.

Bear, a gentle Greyhound, wowed the crowd and secured the title of Best Dressed Dog, thanks to an impressive Christmas outfit made by her owner.

Dillon won the Residents' Choice category, earning recognition from the Upton Bay community. Finally, Team Upton Bay unanimously voted for Kobi as the winner of the Team Upton Bay category.

A virtual event was held where they learnt how to make non-baking Christmas tree decorations. This creative activity allowed residents to showcase their artistic talents and add a personal touch to their holiday decorations.

In the afternoon, Vicar Tessa led a wonderful church service centred around Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas. James, a parishioner, recited readings from the Bible, and the residents joyfully sang traditional Christmas carols such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Away in a Manger."

The residents on Memory Lane then took part in building their own gingerbread house, a delightful and challenging task. With the guidance of Karen and Chloe from Activities, the residents mixed icing sugar and egg white to stick the house together, overcoming the challenge of keeping it from falling apart. Laughter and jokes filled the room as they decorated the gingerbread house with an assortment of sweets. To top it off, they enjoyed a piece of the gingerbread with a cup of tea, savouring the fruits of their labour.

Day 5 of the Christmas Countdown at Upton Bay, the HOBOS Morris Dancers and Band visited and delighted everyone with their incredible dance moves. The residents were thoroughly entertained with the singing of fabulous Christmas songs and enjoyed participating in the sing along. The lively performances brought much joy, and the residents showed their appreciation by clapping and cheering. The dancers' colourful costumes added to the festive ambiance of the event. The residents are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see them again in the Spring/Summer. A big thank you to HOBOS for providing a fantastic afternoon of entertainment.

On Day 4 of the Christmas countdown at Upton Bay, we had a special wish edition that brought joy and warmth to our hearts. Back in August, Audrey's daughter, Linda, and I started organising a very special wish for Audrey. We wanted to give her something that meant the world to her. Audrey has always loved listening to her granddaughter, Nicky, sing, but due to the pandemic, they haven't been able to be together for a performance. That's when the idea struck us. Why not grant Audrey her special wish during the Christmas season, right by the magnificent tree in reception.

Today was the day we made Audrey's wish come true. As Audrey walked into Reception, she was greeted by her daughter, Linda, her son-in-law, and her other granddaughter. The look on Audrey's face was priceless. It was a mixture of surprise, joy, and overwhelming happiness. Audrey exclaimed, "What a lovely surprise!" Her Christmas wish had been granted, and she couldn't have been happier.

Day 3 of the Christmas countdown at Upton Bay was filled with joy and excitement. We were fortunate to have the incredibly talented entertainer, Vici, join us for the day. Vici serenaded us with soulful Motown songs, including classics like "Dancing in the Street" by Diana Ross and the Supremes, as well as hits by Elton John and many others. The atmosphere was electric as everyone danced, clapped, and even waved their arms in the air. The room was filled with singing, laughter, and pure enjoyment. It was a truly memorable day for all who attended.Vici Jo