VE Day memories are shared

Church Farm, a Bupa care home in Church Farm Lane, was decorated with Union Flags for the celebrations.

Activity co-ordinator Fatima Fredericks said a whole host of activities had been organised for the 53 residents, all with a 1940s theme.

The week started with a memory morning, when the residents shared what they could remember from VE Day and what they were feeling at the time.

Fatima said: “We had memory boxes with items from wartime, like silk stockings, ration books and identity tags.

“The residents talked about rationing and we had menus showing what people could make with the food available, then did food tasting with things like beef dripping.

“They loved it. The residents really enjoyed talking about their memories.”

The weekly bingo session featured old-fashioned sweets as prizes and there was a singsong with all the old war songs.

On Friday, residents and staff dressed up as evacuees, soldiers and land girls, and relatives went along for a 1940s quiz.

Fatima said: “We dressed the tables with Union Flags and the residents were a big part of the preparations.

“The residents were waving flags and wearing hats all week. It was a lovely atmosphere.”