Abbeyfield’s 70th anniversary – a year of celebration

Abbeyfield houses and homes around the country have been celebrating our milestone 70th year with special events involving our residents, staff, volunteers, families, special guests and friends in the local community. Here are just a few highlights:

1.    Abbeyfield House in Alnwick took their residents on a trip back in time with a presentation about the 1950s when Abbeyfield was founded, exploring the food, music, culture and films popular at the time.

2.    Abbeyfield House in Barnard Castle held a garden party, welcoming family and friends for a delicious cream tea. They also held a raffle, raising an incredible £200 that will be put towards some exciting outings for the residents.

3.    The great weather at The Octagon in Basildon’s garden party provided the perfect backdrop for sangria, snacks and live entertainment, with plenty of dancing. The community joined them for a wonderful day celebrating the Abbeyfield legacy.

4.    Prosecco was served at the garden party at Abbeyfield House in Bishop’s Castle. Residents enjoyed the local musicians’ performance and the exquisite scones, while one resident ran a popular stall selling her own home-grown plants.

5.    Abbeyfield House in Bramhall enjoyed a spot of line dancing, traditional games and delicious food at their Country & Western-themed 70th anniversary party, complete with cake and cowboy hats.

6.    Cambridge residents at Girton Green were treated to a performance by Assistant Manager, Meera, and her friends from the Natyanjali School of Dance, before burying a time capsule in the garden to be dug up in another 70 years’ time.

7.    Riverhill in Corbridge welcomed over 250 guests as part of the charity fundraiser Corbridge Open Gardens event. Younger visitors enjoyed a treasure hunt to find Abbey the bear, while the residents were keen to shout about the benefits of living at the house.

8.    Phil Mead House in Coventry brought residents together over tea and cake in the garden to celebrate Abbeyfield’s 70th anniversary. Plenty of words of wisdom were shared and some recounted what it was like growing up in Coventry during the Second World War.

9.    Housekeeper Karen Knight challenged Clifton House in Cowes’ local MP to a round of 70 hula hoops. Estelle Baker, a resident’s daughter, also brought along a selection of 1950s games, literature and clothes to spark a reminiscence session.

10.    Edinburgh Fringe veteran Tom McSharry left residents at The Old Vicarage, Crosby rolling in the aisles after a hilarious stand-up comedy set, with homemade sandwiches and cakes rounding off their 70th anniversary celebrations.

11.    Tamar House in Gosport’s garden fête was opened by the Mayor. As well as enjoying the traditional attractions, residents and guests were given expert tutoring in a range of 1950s dances by Frankie’s Dance ‘n’ Dine, set to some familiar 1950s tunes.

12.    The garden tea party at Westall House in Horsted Keynes showcased the talents of the BHOS choir, who performed a selection of musical theatre favourites. Residents and guests also enjoyed glasses of Pimm’s and a variety of garden games.

13.    Over 30 guests visited Holloway House in Quorn to spend time with the residents and learn more about life at the house at their open day. As always, staff were on hand to offer a range of tasty homecooked food and freshly baked treats.

14.    Sandwood in Nottingham was visited by Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir, who had residents singing along to classic pop, rock and musical theatre numbers. Following their performance, the choir stayed for a chat and ice creams.

15.    Residents at Cresta House in Saltash were joined by the Mayor for their celebratory tea party, who is also a trustee of the Abbeyfield Saltash Society. The society’s Chair led the local church choir in a special performance and gave a talk on the organisations’ history.

16.    Hampton House in Solihull held a whole fundraising week for the residents’ fund, joined by suppliers Britton Price, who ran a coffee morning, and local church volunteers for a knit and natter group. Resident Richard Bunce also walked 70 laps of the garden for Stride by Stride.

17.    Speedwell Court in Southampton’s garden party welcomed the local MP, who presented special thank-you gifts to the home’s volunteers. Families and community friends also came along to enjoy a spot of garden bingo, flower pressing and musical entertainment.

18.    Northfield Court in Taunton welcomed the Deputy Mayor to their celebrations. The wonderful two-tier cake, made by a local college student studying catering, rounded off a fabulous buffet enjoyed by residents, staff, volunteers and trustees.

19.    Drake Lodge in Tavistock went all in with their 70th anniversary festivities, which included live music, a cheese and wine event, art exhibition and summer fair, all held over a fantastic weekend.

20.    Residents and guests from the community tucked into a gorgeous buffet and mocktails at the celebrations at Hale Court in Tunbridge Wells, while being entertained by a beautiful harp performance from Iona, who has been volunteering there for 10 years.

21.    The Old Vicarage in Wellington were treated to a garden makeover by volunteers from suppliers Churchill. The repaired summer house and colourful paint job were finished just in time for a fantastic 70th anniversary barbeque.

22.    South Lakes Acapella provided the entertainment at Nine Oaks in Windemere’s celebrations. The local MP also joined in with the singing, along with all the residents, and they were all so good that they were invited to join the choir at their next rehearsal.