Resident, Sylvia, proudly shows off some of the potatoes harvested from the first crop produced at Woodland View.

Despite the recent hot weather, keen gardener, Sylvia, assisted by Activities Coordinator, Kevin Riley, dug up the potatoes. They were handed over to the Chef, ready for cooking in the home's kitchen.

Some of the potatoes will be replanted, producing additional crops in the coming months.

Woodland View residents were enthralled recently by the performance of two young, but energetic performers.

Kaina Xavier-Phillips and Harrison Price visited Woodland View to provide a mixture of martial arts, jokes, singing and dancing. As if that wasn't enough of a contribution from the dynamic duo, they then went on to serve a selection of yummy cakes and biscuits they bought themselves.

Faces were beaming - young and old - throughout the performances and the audience certainly showed their appreciation when it came to applause.

As a surprise, Activities Coordinator, Kevin Riley, awarded Kaina & Harrison with special certificates, making them 'Friends and Heroes' of Woodland View.

We spent an afternoon with our four-legged friend, Sky.

There are many activities that are loved by residents at Woodland View, and animal-assisted therapy is one that holds a special place in all their hearts. Meeting the PAT Dog is a great way for elderly residents to remain mentally and physically active.

We took the residents out to Castle Park in Colchester - some of whom had not been there before. The park not only encompasses much of Colchester's rich heritage within its boundaries, but is much loved and used as a big part of present day life. It boasts over 1 million visitors a year, providing a green oasis in the town centre; you can sit, walk, enjoy music, play games, or have a picnic amongst beautiful flowers and trees.

It was an afternoon that was enjoyed by all!

It was an enjoyable afternoon watching our local cricket team, West Bergholt Cricket Club.

West Bergholt CC plays its cricket at the beautiful Manor Ground in the heart of the village. The club has a rich heritage and it is documented that it has been in existence for some 200 years.

They are an ambitious club with first-rate facilities, including a spacious clubhouse, a well-maintained cricket square and two practice nets. West Bergholt CC has a woman’s team, a children's team, known as the 'Colts', and a gentleman’s team, all of which play on a regular basis in the grounds.

We were asked to attend their cricket festival so that the gentleman residents could enjoy a lovely summer afternoon watching sport. It was just an added bonus that the home team won.

The residents were treated like VIPs for the afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed talking to the team, as well as the chairman, Pete Twydell.

Woodland View now sponsors the club so that they able to achieve their goals with our support.

Activities Coordinator, Kevin Riley, took great pleasure in awarding volunteer, Kisal Munasinghe, one of Woodland View's special 'Good Friend & Hero' certificates. Residents were very happy to have their picture taken with him just after the award was made.

University student, Kisal, has visited Woodland View Care Home regularly on Saturdays, spending time chatting one-to-one with residents. He has become a familiar and welcome face to everyone in the home.

Kisal was genuinely shocked and surprised by the award, but very pleased. He said, "I would never have expected something like this and I'm really touched." Now the summer break is upon him, Kisal plans to visit twice a week until the new term and his studies begin again.