1st march 2013

spring is on its way at last!

the painter is hard at work brightening up the interior of mount ephraim house,
we are making plans for the Garden Party in july, Golf Day in september and looking forward to our first 'Charity Ten Pin Bowling Challenge' on sunday 3rd march.  Julian and his team have been busy in the garden and we are lucky to welcome new volunteers from local schools.

 

the art experts!

this was our trip to the trinity art gallery in twells last thursday - bitterly cold day, but peggy, mary, hester and ken braved the weather.  we dropped off marie and eileen in the town centre to do some shopping.  i suddenly remembered id left patty behind so hilary is on the phone, asking if she wants me to go and pick her up!  after the exhibition, we had tea and cake in the cafe there and hester bought some cards in the gift shop.  i hope patty has forgiven me!!

mary plays host...

yesterday, we were visited by a group students from the University of Greenwich who came to see how life is for residents in an 'eden centred 'home. 

They spent the day talking to residents and joining in activities. pictured are all the students with Mary in the background who organized scrabble in the library!

make do and mend

we had a new workshop today, hosted by caroline who studied textiles at university and came along today to share her ideas and expertise. ken,joan,(and her daughter maureen)phyl.patty,and eileen had a lovely morning being inspired and all made a brooch to wear on their lapel...

sheila's Jukebox

sheila and Di's wednesday club is a fixture at MEH now and this week sheila brought along her very own jukebox for residents to sing- a -long to some well known tunes.  they provided home made cakes with the coffee and we were joined today by some students from the university of greenwich - carly, emma, laura, tanya, rachel and nicole.

abigail - a future star?

mount ephraim residents were treated to a one-off mini concert today by rising star Abigail (aged 13) pictured here with her 'roadies' twin brothers oliver and samuel. 
Abigail has entered a singing competition where she will have to perform to a live audience and so what better way to test her skills than in front of our very own discerning music critics!  luckily they were overwhelmed with her presentation and musical prowess - she writes all her own material too!
looking forward to hearing how she gets on....

happy valentines day

we decorated the corridors a couple of weeks ago; some of the residents cut out and painted paper hearts to hang on our sparkly tree's around the home, karen bought everyone a chocolate heart and we ordered a dvd copy of 'brief encounter' to show in the lounge this afternoon for the romantics amongst us!  of course, everyone has seen it before, but a long time ago... choc ices were served half way through but tea didnt come til the very end so as not to spoil the finale!  some residents received visitors today and some even had flowers delivered!

where is everyone today?

all seemed quiet this morning...but on further investigation I found marie,eric, philip, helen,patty,marise,hester,eileen,etc in the library for monthly communion; Paula,the manicurist was in the salon to do mary's nails, followed by Joan; janet the masseuse was visiting audrey, iris and lucille today and win was enjoying coffee in the foyer (in peace) meanwhile, in the lounge Di and Sheila were entertaining denis, susan, helen c and helen d, olive, jean, doreen, anne, marjorie and dorothy with a sing-a-long session where tea and cakes were provided along with the marracas! later, we brought out the sherry but it didnt improve the singing!

tea party on shrove tuesday....

...with special guests Vivienne and Joan.

SHROVE TUESDAY.....

....means pancakes!

2013 - the year of the snake

To mark the beginning of the chinese new year, the residents found a fortune cookie on their side plate at supper tonight - lets hope their wishes come true!

"the snake is an interesting person, sexy and seductive with a hint of danger behind that beauty.
So watch out for that snake person - one of the most popular of the 12 chinese zodiac animals!
if you are lucky enough to be a snake person, use your talents to have a great 2013"

without giving away their dates of birth, we apparently have four 'snake' people at mount ephraim, grace, marise, lucille and olive.

Thank You Asda ......

Asda supermarket located on the Industrial estate in Tunbridge Wells raised us £25.00 with their Community Life appeal.
We were the chosen charity of the month and were very pleased to accept the cheque.
Thank You to everyone who contributed and to all at Asda!

                         Its a cat's life

Elle and Bess show us some sisterly love and a united front bless them......

happy birthday joan!

92 years young, Joan celebrated her birthday with a family lunch in the library, followed by birthday cake and candles.

snowbound at meh

looks very pretty, but the residents not too keen on going outside for a snowball fight!  maybe we will use the pictures for our next christmas cards...

Farewell to Pat Knight

 

(taken from the eulogy written by Pat's family and read at her service on 22nd January 2013)

Daughter of Kathleen and Lesley Gentry, Pat was born at Tunbridge Wells Maternity Home on 28 October 1935. She spent her whole life in and around the town, ending her days at Mount Ephraim House, aged 77.

A huge fan of Elvis Presley, Pat loved music and enjoyed going dancing with husband Vic at the village hall.

Pat moved to Mount Ephraim House in January 2006, that provided her with loving and genuinely caring surroundings. Tim and Rachel are extremely grateful to the amazing staff who not only cared for her basic needs, but also provided her with a fun and stimulating environment - bingo and craft sessions were particular favourites. Carer Michelle, known to Pat as ‘little Shrimp’, recalled their trips into Tunbridge Wells town centre, coffees at Sainsbury’s and visits to the pet shop where Pat could see the animals she loved.

Her son Tim and daughter in law Rachel remember Pat as a sharp, vibrant, wickedly funny woman - and that’s how we should all remember her.

 

 

 

 

In Memory of Christine

we said a fond farewell to Christine on the 15th January 2013, at the Culverden Evangelical Church in Tunbridge Wells.  family, friends, staff and residents from MEH attended the service of thanksgiving for a very special lady.  Christine did not want her photo on the order of service so we will respect her wishes and not put a photo on the blog, but she was a very popular lady who enjoyed her time with us and made many friends.  she will be sadly missed.

afternoon tea

any one for Jenga?

shopping at ASDA?

if you go to ASDA tunbridge wells, be sure to put your green tokens in the MOUNT EPHRAIM box please - one of the chosen charities this month!  Karen shows how its done, yesterday at ASDA after she bought some storage boxes for MEH.