Songs, cakes and reminiscences at Thurso care home VE Day tea party
A Thurso care home played its part in the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe by hosting a 1940s-style tea party.
Pentland View was decorated patriotically in red, white and blue and residents and staff dressed up for the occasion.
They enjoyed an afternoon with a local primary school class and visiting emergency services.
Head chef Sumit Dhar whipped up a selection of freshly baked cakes which residents helped to decorate with VE Day logos.
They also enjoyed picnic lunch in the garden, along with pupils from Pennyland P6.
Residents, staff and pupils observed the national two-minute silence and listened again to Churchill’s speech accepting Germany’s surrender.
They reminisced about their memories of VE Day and watched clips of the celebrations that took place outside Buckingham Palace and across London.
Afterwards the residents were serenaded by the children with a selection of wartime songs. The White Cliffs of Dover, in particular, brought tears to a few eyes.
Residents joined the children outside for a picnic lunch.
Then came a surprise visit from local police and ambulance personnel. Residents and children were able to chat to them and explore the vehicles.
Finally there was a huge spread provided by the kitchen, complete with wartime treats such as pork pies and even Spam.
The highlight was the array of baking decorated by the residents for the day. The youngsters also went around and asked the residents questions that they had prepared in advance.
Jeanine Sinclair, activities coordinator at Pentland View, said: “Many of our residents can remember the end of the war and the celebrations that followed.
“We spent the week reminiscing, singing, decorating and talking about how important this day is for all of them. In fact, the day was inspired by our resident Margaret’s story, and how she shared it with the Pennyland P6 pupils when they were in to learn about evacuation during the Blitz.”
Pentland View is run by Barchester Healthcare and provides nursing care, residential care and respite care.
