a quiet friday

a fairly quiet day today - dance class in the morning with Beccy, and bingo this afternoon followed by a reminisence quiz and discussion.

the 3 day first aid course finished at lunch time (think everyone passed) and Tim and Nick went to collect a wurlitzer organ that was donated by Mr Tilly of tunbridge wells. It has taken up residence in the foyer and we are now hoping that one of residents can 'give us a tune'!

Diana had a trip to the garden centre in eridge road and bought two pots of jam and chef Paul was busy in the kitchen making apple strudel!

a game of scrabble...

...while Iris waits her turn to receive some computer tuition, Julia has set up a game of scrabble for Doris and Helen - Julia ended up winning as Helen was left with a Z and a Q..

computer training...

Val is tutoring marie and marion on how to use the internet - marie has got onto a site and is listening to music (she looks like she is working in a call centre!) and marion is getting to grips with using key words to find information.

new hairdo..

Dorothy is showing off her new hairstyle today, and looking good!

marie's sky gazing

as we left the garden centre, Marie noticed how interesting the sky looked - so we took these pictures for posterity.

garden centre outing

tuesday afternoon, Phil the driver arrived to take us out to tea at The Garden Centre in Tunbridge Wells. It was all christmassy, with lots of interesting things to look at and buy. The cafe area has been extended and we found some comfortable seats, had tea and then went off to look around, meeting back for more tea before trip back to MEH.

Monday afternoon....

Joan and Elizabeth hosted a tea party for the residents on monday afternoon; gorgeous homemade cakes, lovely music (which elizabeth had prepared on her laptop) and poetry readings and anecdotes. the lounge was full, and everyone had a lovely afternoon! a big thankyou to our volunteers for going to so much trouble; very much appreciated.

...tea party

friday's bingo afternoon!

cold, wet, blustery day, so we had a 'full house' at bingo session today - helen d, marie,marion, phyll, doreen, sylvia, helen p, susan hs, and gordon enjoyed their afternoon with christiane who comes once a week (as a volunteer) to call the numbers and reward the winners with chocolate!


afterwards, christiane always has a general knowledge quiz which is very popular as the residents like to pit their wits against each other.

trip to the Trinity..

http://www.divinitycafe.co.uk/index.php

our mini bus took a party of residents (marie, patty,phyll,marian, doreen, hilda, and lucille) plus volunteer Julia to visit the Trinity theatre for a tour of the art gallery and a cup of tea in the divinity cafe,  the art exhibition was impressive - a local artist called Billy Showell showing her watercolour paintings.  Patty knew of the artist and she was most interested. http://www.billyshowell.co.uk/


took my camera but didn't get time to take any photo's!

the rest of the day, was taken up with hairdressing, PAT dog Toby visiting, Peggy had a visit from her daughter, Helen had lunch with her daughter in the library and Doreen's daughter stayed to lunch which was served in the music room.  We also fitted in a committe meeting with our panel of residents who speak up on behalf of all the residents and one of the decisions made today was that no christmas music will be played in the home before december 12th!!

live on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00bxc83/

Patty and carer Daisy were invited into the studio at radio kent this morning to talk about life in a 'care home' and mount ephraim in particular.  They did us proud!  not allowed to take photos while they were in the studio but I took one afterwards at the BBC shop desk - when I get it onto the computer I will put it onto the blog!

later Karen was interviewed from the perspective of running a care home and in her role as chair of KCH.
if you click on the link and move the dial along (their interview was at around 10.20 and finished at 10.29.

Sir Guy comes out to watch the display

firework night

bonfire night at MEH - our kind volunteers arrived with lots of exciting fireworks and put on a fantastic display for our residents who were sat in the lounge overlooking the garden and could watch proceedings in the warm.

gordon, peggy & sylvia  braved the chilly night, but it was well worth it. 'Sir Guy of Ephraim' was on standby for going up in smoke, but reprieved at the last moment as it was quite windy this evening and we didnt want to set the garden alight!

if anyone needs a guy for their bonfire party, please get in touch...

happy birthday ladies!

Wishing a happy birthday to Patty and Margaret - hope you have a lovely day with lots of prezzies, cards and cake!

dug pays a visit

lovely autumn monday morning. I took Dug the westie into work today to see the residents - he was very good and enjoyed all the attention.




elizabeth came in to read poetry and play some specially selected music she had put onto her computer - patty, susan, marjorie, dorothy, marie, pat, doris etc had a very relaxing and enjoyable morning.

penny for the Guy?

here we proudly present:
Sir Guy of Ephraim - who looks quite at home here. Peggy came along to see the finished result and was most impressed. marie and phyll had gone off to 'reminesence session' in the lounge, with Sue (which is always a popular hour)



we asked Patty to make a sign to put round his neck, asking for donations for our firework fund, and he will be sitting in the foyer from tuesday afternoon and will meet his fate on thursday evening.

making the Guy

monday afternoon's art and craft class - we are making the Guy ready for our bonfire and firework party on thursday evening (all welcome to come and watch) Iris did the hands, pat did the feet, gordon and phyll did the body and marie did the legs!

it was a real team effort and great fun.

we then had to choose a name for him...