VE Day 2020: Chatburn care home residents take a step back in time enjoying wartime classics

Residents of the Manor House Nursing Home at Chatburn had a busy few weeks leading up to VE Day anniversary.
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The special event marked 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. Daily activities included residents getting creative with painting, making collages, displays, pom-poms and beautiful tissue paper flowers. The home was trimmed for the occasion with flags and bunting to create that “street party” feel. All residents and the team wore red, white, blue and Union Jack hats, adding to the atmosphere. Gents who had been in the various services wore their medals with pride.

A gazebo trimmed with bunting in the garden, overlooked by three lounge areas was perfect for the residents to watch and listen to the entertainer whilst maintaining social distancing.

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Entertainer, Maria Manchester, transported the residents back in time with a fabulous VE.Day sing-a-long. Maria was dressed in full military uniform with ENSA on her lapels (Entertainment National Service Association). Renditions of wartime classics included Vera Lynn’s “White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again” were enjoyed.

Bunting is out in force as staff and residents mark the special dayBunting is out in force as staff and residents mark the special day
Bunting is out in force as staff and residents mark the special day

Spokesman, Janet Harrison, said: "Residents and the team joined in the performance with a variety of percussion instruments or waved their Union Jack Flags, many becoming emotional as they reminisced. Even Maria felt the emotion, singing through her tears. Music can be very powerful in helping people to remember and reminisce about their past. BBC Radio Lancashire played previously recorded soundtracks of residents war experiences. After the entertainment, residents and the staff team were treated to ice cream served in ‘Union Jack’ tubs which was kindly donated by Hudsons Ice Cream Shop. In the afternoon, many residents chose to watch VE celebrations on television, before enjoying a typical ‘War-time’ meal including Woolton Pie."