Keeping Busy

With all this lovely weather recently it only seemed appropriate to have a very welcome visit from an ice cream van. Both residents and staff were very grateful when Mr Whippi popped by! For those who love a sing-a-long we hosted one in our very own pub, The Lamb Inn. The chef dropped in to demonstrate how to make refreshing elderflower cordial, which was then used the following day to wash down the amazing Waldorf salad chef had created with leaves and herbs from our residents’ garden. We’ve had lots of fun with photos recently, from rockstar glasses pictured in inflatable frames to silly phone apps. Great fun! We always keep busy here at Shipston Lodge, and recently residents helped decorate tables for afternoon tea and quiz, we watched movies, took part in wonderful chair exercises and had a sing-a-long with Tina Turner on karaoke. While there was a more sedate pace in the salon with vinyl records playing golden oldies as the ladies enjoyed a little pampering. Lovely. As Easter approached there was plenty of arts and crafts on show with residents creating beautiful embroidered felt bunnies and chicks. We thought it would be great fun to ask residents, staff, family and friends to take part in an Easter bonnet making competition. Wow! We were amazed by the outstanding quality. And the parade was quite special too. And the staff were very grateful to receive a lovely big Easter hamper from Johnny. Thank you so much x Making the best of the lovely weather in the garden by planting some flowers in the raised beds. And gardening too: courgettes, chillies, runner beans, herbs and tomatoes. We’ve been very creative making pom poms, transforming our shoes in the process. While some preferred them as earrings! Technology such as Skype has really helped us keep in touch with loved ones at the moment. Great fun was had all playing life-size Hungry Hippos with some members of staff showing a surprising level of competitiveness! We are always touched by the messages of love and support from friends and family, and we were especially moved in early April when we received letters from local school children. In one letter, young Josh said how he was enjoying springtime watching the baby lambs in the fields and the flowers growing in his garden. He also hoped the picture of a rainbow he painted would make the residents smile. It certainly did Josh, thank you. And six-year-old Jensen wrote a lovely letter asking us about how we spent our days and telling us about how he was spending his time on a trampoline and a swing when not doing schoolwork at home. We also have Bonnie and Vinnie writing from the New Forest about the freedom ponies have to roam about there. When the weather is this good why not celebrate with a little singing and dancing! And a regular favourite… Hair and Nails Day!