Hickathrift House Care Home Marshland St James marks VE Day anniversary with 1940s party
Hickathrift House Care Home in Marshland St James marked the 77th anniversary of VE Day in style by throwing a 1940s afternoon party to remember.
The home was decorated in red, white and blue and residents and staff dressed up in their 1940s-inspired land girl outfits and enjoyed an afternoon of big band music and dancing with KJ & the Catt, musical performers.
KJ & The Catt created a wonderful, themed song list which transported residents back to the 1940s.
Residents danced and sang along to these songs all afternoon in one of the home's garden areas.
Karen Catchpole Photography helped to capture the fabulous memories.
Afterwards, head chef Nigel Coleman whipped up a delicious selection of freshly baked biscuits, sandwiches, cakes and pastries for the occasion, all washed down with pots of tea.
The whole day was themed around the war and in the morning, residents reminisced about their memories of VE Day and searched through replica packs.
Residents observed the national two-minute silence and listened again to Churchill’s iconic speech and an address from the Queen.
In the afternoon, popular war films were played with ice cream.
Paula Colman, general manager at Hickathrift House Care Home said: “Many of our residents can remember the end of the war and we all know what it meant for our country, so we wanted to celebrate the date and listen to our residents' memories of the war and the experiences they lived through.
"I’d love to thank KJ & the Catt for tailoring their set to meet the residents' requests and needs throughout the day. As well as Karen Catchpole Photography for capturing such a wonderful afternoon.”
Elsie, resident at Hickathrift House Care Home said: “I remember these ration books, they look exactly like the one I had. I was evacuated and really liked being in the countryside.
"It was wonderful to reminisce and to celebrate with all the staff, Karen, KJ & the Catt and residents here, we’ve all had such a lovely time and lots of singing!”
Hickathrift House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, and provides residential, dementia and respite care.
