Doveridge residents enjoy WW2-style street party on Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day was celebrated in style at Doveleigh Care's Colyton home, Doveridge, on Saturday, June 26.

Staff dressed up for the occasion in uniforms or as Land Army girls, and residents enjoyed an indoor street party with festive flags and table accessories. Beautifully decorated cakes made by the cook, Stacey, were washed down with sherry and wine.

Registered Manager, Ramune Juciene, explained that the care home has quite a collection of 'fabulous' headgear for residents to wear during celebrations.

She said, "Hats and scarves have always been something that residents like to use at Doveridge, so over the years we've collected lots of them, either from relatives or other staff. So every time we have the opportunity, residents and staff will use them and put them back into our collection to use another time."

She added that staff never miss an opportunity to dress up, because the residents enjoy it so much.

The wartime themed celebration also featured appropriate music, with residents and staff singing the Vera Lynn classics 'We'll Meet Again' and 'White Cliffs of Dover' together.

Some of the residents talked about their own personal memories of the Second World War.

Iris said, "When I was born, I lived in Bromley, but had to evacuate to Gloucestershire in World War Two with my parents and my younger sister. My father was an engineer and used to work on the big red London buses. He was exempt from the war because he had very poorly feet. My mother was a housewife and a very good one. She was so good with needlework, she used to make all our clothes. These days are some of my happiest memories with my parents and my sister. I really enjoyed my younger life with family."

Joan, who recently turned 100 and received her telegram from the Queen, said, "In the Second World War, I started to work as an oxyacetylene welder, making jettison fuel tanks for Spitfires. This was a complete career change, but I enjoyed it so much."

Ramune said celebrating events like Armed Forces Day are very important to her and her staff. She added, "We have a passion for making every day special in our residents' journey, including looking after each and every one's needs and providing the person-centred care to someone that once looked after us and our parents."