In touchNorth Bucks Newsletter

Spring 2019

Reflections 2019 book signingPeggy from Icknield Court (pictured above) was delighted to be able to go to Waterstones bookstore in Aylesbury to meet store manager Claire and to sign copies of the Trust’s poetry book, Reflections 2019.

The book contains poetry written by residents and colleagues across the Trust.

World Poetry DayResidents marked World Poetry Day by reciting poetry at activity sessions and coffee mornings.

www.fremantletrust.org

Carey Lodge, WingIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

British Pie WeekResidents Jean (pictured above) and Ellis (pictured below) both agreed that it takes good teamwork to bake the perfect pie.

The duo made a pear and apricot lattice pie, with just a hint of honey and brandy. The finished product was absolutely delicious and was entered into the Trust’s pie competition, held at The Heights nursing home in High Wycombe.

It didn’t take first prize, but it was enjoyed by everyone who had a taste!

Wear a Hat DayEvery year Carey Lodge helps to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research and this year to everyone’s delight, regular visitors Little Acorns Playgroup joined in the fun filled day.

Carey LodgeIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

World Health DayThe Mayor of Leighton-Linslade Cllr Clive Palmer was delighted to join in the celebrations for World Health Day.

The nutritious buffet that was prepared and served by the kitchen team and the Trust’s development chef, Jude Watts, was absolutely delicious.

With a full day of informative speeches, exercises and a tasty smoothie making demonstration, thevisitors from other North Bucks care homes thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Mother’s Day floristryDot (pictured above), carefully put the finishing touches to the beautiful flower brooches made for all the mums for Mother’s Day.

Chesham Leys, CheshamIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Carpet Bowls A bit of healthy competition, lots of laughter, and a few songs thrown in for good measure made the carpet bowls tournament a great success.

Jean (pictured above) and Jim (pictured below), thoroughly enjoyed being cheered on by their teams.

The games ended in a draw, so everyone was a winner.

A rose for a rose Home manager Simon, (pictured above) bought and hand delivered beautiful red and pink roses to every female resident on International Women’s Day, much to their delight.

According to popular folklore, the red rose was once the favourite flower of the Roman goddess of love, Venus.

Roses and their meanings:

Red - Love and romancePink - Joy and admirationYellow - Warmth and happinessWhite - Innocence and charmOrange - Enthusiasm and excitementPeach - Appreciation and thank you

Chesham LeysIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Star of the showWhen entertainer and solo vocalist Nick (pictured above), visited to perform a collection of songs, hedidn’t expect to be outshone by the lovely Pat when they sang a duet.

Zoolab visit During a visit from Zoolab, Jean (pictured above) loved the giant beetles, whilst Margaret and Pat(pictured below) couldn’t get enough of the snakes.

Fremantle Court, Stoke MandevilleIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Green fingers at work The cold Winter weather didn’t stop John (pictured above) and Mary (pictured below) preparing the plants for Spring.

Nutrition and Hydration WeekVolunteer students Mia and Pippa (pictured above) made sure everyone was well hydrated bytaking the mobile drinks trolley around to all thebedrooms and wings during Nutrition and Hydration Week.

Edna (pictured below) really enjoyed topping up on her liquid refreshments.

Fremantle CourtIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Back to work! Thanks to James at Aylesbury library (pictured above) and his donation of a book trolley, there isnow a mobile library at Fremantle Court, run by former librarian, Barbara.

Barbara (pictured below) loves to keep busy and enjoys delivering the morning papers and then doing her rounds with her new book trolley.

Volunteer dayThanks to five volunteers from Construction Specialties UK Ltd in Westcott (pictured above), all of the garden and patio furniture has now had a fabulous makeover ready for the warmer weather.

Everyone loved watching the transformations and were very impressed with the finished products.

Icknield Court, Princes RisboroughIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Love is all around Great entertainment, good food, singing and dancing all made for a fabulous Valentine’s Day party.

Joan (pictured below) had a fantastic time showing off her dance moves.

‘Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow’Activity co-ordinator Lucy (pictured above) had lots of fun in the snow in February when she built Frosty the Snowman in the garden, much to the delight of everyone looking out of their windows.

Do you remember the famous song?

Frosty the SnowmanWas a jolly happy soulWith a corncob pipe and a button noseAnd his eyes made out of coalFrosty the SnowmanMade the children laugh and playAnd were they surprised whenBefore their eyesHe came to life that dayThere must have been some magicIn that old silk hat they foundFor when they placed it on his headHe began to dance around

Icknield CourtIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Garden centre visitWhere better to visit on a beautiful sunny day than the local garden centre?

Choosing flowers and plants to brighten up the gardens and balconies was an easy job for these ladies, as they are all avid gardeners.

Music lessonsResident Ralph, (pictured above) gave guitar lessons and his expert musical advice to Ellie, a singer and regular visitor to the home.

Ellie said: “We had such a lovely chat about music, Ralph was really very good.”

Music is very powerful and listening to familiar songs can promote reminiscence.

Do you recognise these famous quotes?

“Where words fail, music speaks.” - (Hans Christian Anderson)

“If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.” - (William Shakespeare)

“I would rather write 10,000 notes than a single letter of the alphabet.” - (Ludwig van Beethoven)

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music, I live my daydreams in music, I see my life in terms of music.” - (Albert Einstein)

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” - (Confucius)

Lewin House, AylesburyIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Vintage and craft fair Vintage stalls with various handmade crafts were on sale at bargain prices at the Trust’s first craft fair.

Irene (pictured above) said: “I’ve had a fabulous time looking around at all the wonderful things.”

Home Manager Lynn, (pictured below) made sure she got some bargains too!

National Storytelling WeekChildren from Footsteps Nursery paid a visit to celebrate National Storytelling Week and spent time with residents reading from their favourite books.

Lewin HouseIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Special invitation A special invitation was received from Aylesbury Town Mayor, Cllr Mark Willis, to attend a celebration of 25 years of the Aylesbury Concert Band.

Residents and colleagues thoroughly enjoyed the musical extravaganza.

They enjoyed singing and dancing along to popular and classical tunes from the world of TV and the silver screen.

The event, which was held in St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury, raised funds for the Mayor’s chosen charities, Carers Bucks and Aylesbury Concert Band.

Made up of enthusiastic amateur players from Aylesbury and the surrounding areas, the wind band performs several concerts throughout the year including the Mayor’s Carol Service each Christmas and the annual Parklife festival.

Steel Band success Local Steel Band, Vibes, were a huge success witheveryone dancing and singing along to the fabulous music.

Residents and colleagues were able to participate and try their hand at playing the steel pans.

Bedside BuddiesIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Bedside karaoke Activity co-ordinator Danielle and Dennis (pictured above) enjoyed a sing-a-long at Fremantle Court.

Sensory stimulation Pauline (pictured above) had great fun with the omiVista Mobii sensory projector at Carey Lodge.

Special messagesSylvia (pictured above) at Carey Lodge loves receiving her Familigram POST messages from her family and friends.

Keeping in touchCare worker Betty (pictured above), supported Jean from Lewin House to chat with her friends and family.

Community LinksIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Handmade creationsVisitors came from far and wide to grab a bargain at Carey Lodge where handmade bags, greeting cards, hair bands, vintage goods and more were all on sale at the craft fair.

Aylesbury Knitting Group Residents at Lewin House enjoyed their knit and chat session with members of the Aylesbury Knitting Group.

Mayor’s charity quiz nightThe Mayor of Leighton-Linslade Cllr Clive Palmer, invited residents and colleagues from Carey Lodge to join in with a charity quiz night held in Leighton Buzzard.

Everyone enjoyed a supper of jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings and a tasty beer from the bar.

Aylesbury Sew and So’sLocal sewing and craft group Sew and So’s meet up at Fremantle Court every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the activity room to share their passion and expertise of knitting, crochet and cross stitch.

Message from our community and lifestyle managerIn touch | North Bucks Newsletter | Spring 2019

Part of the community In the last issue I set a competition for the best poem received for inclusion in Reflections 2019, a book full of wonderful poems written by residents from all our care homes.

I am delighted to announce the winner is Carey Lodge for their poem ‘Games We Played’. A special prize is on its way to you!

It really is great to see the local communities coming into our homes and bringing so much joy to everyone, along with their expertise.

Knitting enthusiasts, craft aficionados, musicians, schools, colleges and so many more have visited. I personally loved shopping at the vintage and craft fairs held in our homes.

We have also had many special invitations from the various town Mayors to join local events, wereally are becoming a huge part of our local communities.

Don’t forget to let us know if you have a lifelong wish or dream you would like fulfilled. Further details can be found opposite. You never know, you may be one of the lucky ones…

Games We PlayedHow we loved to play outsideMarbles, Hopscotch and bike ridesTwo wheeled scooters, skates and JacksFootball, rounders, kiss chase and stacksKnock down ginger, knock and runA little bit naughty but lots of funSkipping ropes all in full swingScrumping – a telling off that would bringGo karts made from old pram wheelsBlind man’s buff, cigarette card dealsHide and seek, leap frog and catchBird nesting, but leaving eggs to hatchOranges and lemons, ring o’ rosesIn all weathers with cold red nosesHula hoop, kerbside, crocodile seaStreet lights come on it’s time for tea

Wishes and DreamsDo you have a lifelong wish or dream that you would like fulfilled? Perhaps you always wanted to go to the opera or just fancy trying something new. Thanks to the Trust’s Wishes and Dreams initiative, your dreams could come true.

Speak to your activity co-ordinator for more information. Your wish is our command!

Spring 2019In touch | North Bucks Newsletter

Calendar of Upcoming Events

22-May-2019 Sew and So’sAylesbury knitting group Sew and So’s visit Fremantle Court every Wednesday for an evening of chatting and knitting.

23-May-2019 Dementia Action WeekJoin us for advice and information on dementia including meaningful activities, music, food and drink in Friars Square shopping centre in Aylesbury.

04-Jun-2019 Special picnicA special picnic at Icknield Court to say thank you to our North Bucks volunteers as part of Volunteers Week.

16-Jun-2019 Father’s DayAll services celebrate Father’s Day with special activities and reminiscence sessions.

20-Jun-2019 Ladies DayPosh hats, Prosecco, strawberries and homemade cakes are served to accompany the racing at Carey Lodge.

22-Jun-2019 Scooter rallyVespas, Lambrettas and music from the 60s for everyone to enjoy at the Scooter rally at Carey Lodge.

29-Jun-2019 Vintage and craft fairHandmade cards, vintage goods and more on offer at Fremantle Court from 11am.

19-Jul-2019 Fundraiser for Wishes and Dreams70s Disco and dress up at Rivets Sports and Social Club from 7.30pm. Tickets £6 available from Sue Faulkner.

27-Jul-2019 Vintage and craft fairA varied selection of handmade goods and vintage items on sale at Chesham Leys from 11am

www.fremantletrust.org

Spring 2019In touch | North Bucks Newsletter

Easter surprise Tesco Community Champion, Sophie, arrived at Lewin House with a special delivery of Easter eggs.

Sophie frequently visits our North Bucks care homes and is always welcomed with open arms.

The eggs had been kindly donated by team members and customers of Tesco Broadfields in Aylesbury.

You truly are a champion Sophie.

www.fremantletrust.org