Barn plants of Colchester kindly donated a very large Christmas tree for the outside of our home, where many people can see and enjoy it, which was then decorated by residents.

Residents at Woodland View were whisked away to St. John's Plant Centre in Clacton-on-Sea, where one of the biggest displays of Christmas gifts and everything associated could be found.

They had their picture taken in front of a band of animated dancing bears, which had them enthralled, and they really didn't want to leave and head back to the minbus.

It was a real winter wonderland!

Macmillan Cancer Support called in to Woodland View Care Home recently to accept a cheque for £105.

Residents, family, friends and staff at the home raised the money by taking part in the recent World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Pictured are Claire Husband (Macmillan Cancer Support), Barchie Bear (sitting on the shelf!), Sylvia Davies (resident), Juliet Driver (Deputy Manager) and Ted Whitworth (resident).

Woodland View pulled out all the stops to celebrate their first birthday.

Starting off an afternoon of celebrations, children from Queen Boudica Primary School Choir sang to residents. This was then followed by a specially prepared video and a presentation about the very beginning of Woodland View - even from before the first brick was laid. Residents saw images from the whole journey, including parts of the build, both before and after completion, as well as themselves at key points over the past 12 months since Woodland View opened its doors.

Woodland View General Manager, Riet Jones, then congratulated both residents, families, friends and staff for making Woodland View what it was today and for all of its achievements. A number of gift presentations were made in celebration of the anniversary, including one from Acting Head Housekeeper, Mandy Ellis, to Riet in the form of a framed embroidered picture to mark the big day as a memento for the home.

As if all of that wasn't enough, the afternoon then went into full swing with singer, Tania Honey, entertaining everyone. The place was absolutely packed, with many singing and dancing! The day’s proceedings were rounded off with a wonderful buffet.

Well done everyone.

Woodland View Care Home launched themselves into Children in Need 2016 by fundraising whilst wearing pyjamas, slippers and onesies!

However, nobody could be accused of sleeping on the job at all and it was work as normal, but with a bit more comfort and many more grins! Residents, relatives, friends and staff all put their hands in their pockets and purses in support of this great national effort to provide for young people who need some form of help in life.

Although there may still be a few pounds left to count, the amount raised by everyone at Woodland View so far is a wonderful £103.10.

Well done everyone; you can yet again be very proud of your achievement!

Woodland View residents demanded - yes, demanded - the return of the Hat Check Honeys, following their first performance at Woodland View back in August.

We are very fortunate to have a wide selection of entertainers who come to perform for residents. All of the acts are of a very high standard, but the Hat Check Honeys are one of the most popular in Woodland View's one year history.

All but a few of the residents attended the latest performance, singing along to every Old Time Music Hall song, and the Activities Coordinator is already in negotiations for another return visit.