Welcome to Wardington House’s latest newsletter
Happy New Year!
We hope you are all looking forward to an exciting 2025. It feels like the excitement has never stopped here at Wardington House, with the sights of snow as early as November, then the magic of Christmas.
Do you get that flurry of excitement when you wake up to see snow in the morning, all those wonderful memories in the snow – the residents definitely do! Here’s to another year of creating these moments of joy and heart warming comfort for all at Wardington House.
Activities
We had a variety of interesting visitors in November. Some we warmly welcomed back and others offered us completely new experiences!
Zoolab definitely offered an intriguing experience for many of the residents. They had the opportunity to learn and hold a variety of creatures we certainly don’t come across every day…from a corn snake to a large stick insect. Can you spot the Tree Frog in the photo below?
Another amazing experience was Bhangra dancing. The lovely people from In2Culture, who usually entertain us with African Drumming, taught us Bhangra dancing as well as the history behind it. This was a fun-filled afternoon of music and dancing that we are looking forward to doing again in the near future.
Not something new, but a firm favourite many of the residents never get bored of was a visit from the fabulous volunteers from the British Motor Museum (BMM) and all their motor themed memorabilia. Can you remember your first car? It was lovely to hear how many residents did and their stories about them.
We had a surprise visit from mother nature – snow! The residents enjoyed looking out at the enchanting scenery from the sitting rooms or their bedrooms. Some were feeling inspired to create some beautiful frosty paintings.
Christmas
I am sure you will agree that at Wardington House you cannot help feeling in the Christmas spirit the second you walk in the house.
The house was decorated beautifully, there was a continual festive food selection and a variety of fun activities. It truly was a delightful December. The main events being: Elf Day; two pantomimes; an inhouse Christingle Service and also a Christmas Eve Carol Service (for residents who preferred to stay in their rooms, a few staff members sang carols by candlelight from the christingles); Bodicote Bellringers; Christmas carols with Katie Holland; then Tristan Pate; a Christmas coffee morning and of course the wonderful Christmas party.
The party was thoroughly enjoyed by all, with the staff awards setting off the occasion, then Christmas cracker opening, children playing party games, violin playing and then Santa came to join in the fun!
Below are just some of the photos that captured the magical atmosphere here at Wardington throughout December.
Emma’s Update
“A Wardington Winter wonderland? Yes please! In November…..? No thank you. Especially as it had been so mild that many plants hadn’t yet gone into dormancy. The roses and lavender were having a late flush and were still flowering away!
Great changes in temperature don’t allow the plants to adapt which leaves them vulnerable.
The weight of the snow on leaves, that would not normally be there in snowy conditions, also causes damage and can snap and break stems and branches. Snow looks so lovely and light and fluffy but it really is quite heavy. I even had to brush snow off the barrier as it couldn’t lift the extra weight.
I took the opportunity of snowy days to spend some time working in the carpark area, tidying and pruning, spreading gravel. I also made a start on washing plant pots and labels ready for the spring. Cleaning tools and wheel barrows and tidying the barn.
I think this is the first time the chickens have encountered snow and refused point blank to leave their run. I left the door open and later in the day they appeared, presumably curiosity got the better of them in the end.
With the snow, floods and then the collapse of the bridge on the A361, getting to work has been more challenging than usual for us all. As we have been working on the front drive, planting many thousands of bulbs, we have been enjoying the peace and quiet. Not a vehicle sound could be heard…so that cloud does have a silver lining for us after all.”
Snowy Photos
Hope you enjoy looking at the stunning snowy scenes captured here at Wardington House.
The Month Ahead
These fantastic frosty mornings we are having, have inspired the obvious theme of ‘Winter’ to take place the whole of January. Arts and crafts, with plenty of white paint will definitely be involved, as well as experiencing snow indoors! A winter themed coffee morning will be taking place with some deliciously, cosy, warm mugs of hot chocolate and other heart-warming goodies.
We are also very much looking forward to the heart warming experiences of: Lucia’s Tiny Farm visiting us on the 21st January at 2pm and then African Drumming with In2Culture, on the 31st January at 2pm.
The following regular activities will also take place this month: singing with Tristan Pate and Katie Holland; Exercise Class with Alfie; Bonnie the Dog visit, afternoon tea at Harley Equestrian Cafe and in-house Church Services.
Care at Wardington House
If there is anyone you know, who might need our care, please tell them about us and we will be happy to help.
Wardington House Contact Information:
Telephone: 01295 750622
This goes to the office during the working day, or to the nurses’ office during evenings and weekends.
For general or administration queries, please email Jane Worrall at: [email protected]
For Accounts, please email Julie Linzey at: [email protected]
For George Tuthill, please email: [email protected]
Compiled and edited by Gemma Shaw
