FEBRUARY CHRONICLE

The earliest part of the month was subject to heavy snow storms, from our windows the views were spectacular, travelling was difficult over most of the country. However when it did go, the weather turned dry with brisk breezes at times. Each day becomes more spring like. Snowdrops are in full bloom along the roadside wall. Despite the travelling difficulties all staff turned up for work. “Well done”.

Our chief activities for this month was to follow our ship called the Queen of Hearts around the Mediterranean, from Southampton to Egypt, taking in greece and italy along the way. We had talks and films, on many places, as well as advice about money, clothes we would need for our journey, staff dressed in traditional gowns for each country, making our trip very authentic.

Entertainment on board ship included a guest artist who sang to us. Our valentine’s party, was a great success, all passengers received a flower from the Captains Mate. We were then invited to have lunch at the captains table; tea dance on board ship was enjoyed by all who participated, we where delighted to have Tony Harrison, who played a good selection of dance music. It was nice to see people stepping the light fantastic.

Arriving in Italy we where given the chance to a wine tasting with sam from wine press who was very knowledgeable about all the italian and greek wines that he brought with him. Passengers were shown how to test the wines by swirling the wine around the glass and smelling the aroma’s.

Following day we all sampled a beautiful italian meal which was put together by our very own celebrity chef Mrs Flexer. We went to the opera where we were shown a video of Turandot.

Our next port of call was Greece; we had a film which gave us a chance to view different Greek islands. It also gave us an insight into Greek way of life, passengers were given a chance to view the monuments of Athens Greek cuisine was prepared and cooked by our celebrity chef Andreus.

Arriving in Egypt, passengers had a film about life on the Nile, included was the famous historical sights of Egypt, we returned to the ship, to sit down to a wonderful Egyptian meal produced by our celebrity chef Hazel Kapes. Passengers were treated to a traditional Egyptian dance routine, cruise was enjoyed by all our passengers.

We would like to congratulate Leni one of our carers, on the announcement of her engagement we wish them both lots of happiness.

 

JANUARY CHRONICLE

The New Year’s party was a great success, no hang over’s reported, everyone had an enjoyable time.

The weather has been very mixed, It has been the coldest two weeks for many a long year. Winter fuel payments being paid to many. Icy roads made it very difficult for the mini bus’s to negotiate around the roads of Cheltenham. All staff managed to get to work as normal.

The views from Cleeve Hill where beautiful especially at sunset, There were many children sledging on the hill enjoying the snow while it lasted.

January has been a quite month for Activities, recovering from a very busy December, and no outings due to weather being so cold.

Marta gave a very interesting talk about the Epiphany. Followed by an evening Quiz, Tony our very own quiz master really did test our brains.

We had a showing of (Swing Time) which was shown to us on a very large screen; it was like being at the cinema but without the hassle.

Entertainment this month was provided by The Pearly King, we all had a good sing a long, with some old British songs from the past.

Tony Harrison played his key board which gave us the chance to let our hair down, with an afternoon of dancing and singing.

We had a baking session, Danish pastries were made, which I have to say tasted delicious with our cup of afternoon tea.

Burns night was celebrated with great enthusiasm, Burns poetry was read, we also celebrated with songs, and The Ode to The Haggis was recited by Pat Charlton one of our very old friends, and the Haggis was paraded by Barbara, whilst the Bag Pipes were being played. The evening finished by eating the Haggis with a toast in whisky, followed by the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne.

 

DECEMBER CHRONICLE

No white Christmas, The Met office says it is unusual for Christmas to have snow; the tradition is due to Dickens’s Stories in which he remembers his youth, during a short cold spell which hasn’t occurred since. But the end of the month has been very frosty lasting for days.

We had two Christmas shopping trips one to Evesham and the other to Cheltenham. Followed by outings to Tewkesbury and Cheltenham to see the Christmas Lights; we also visited St Mary’s Parish Church for a candle lit Carol Service.

Father Christmas came, Christmas morning and gave a present to every resident. His beard was better than ever, and he managed to find a parking pace in the car park for his sleigh, and the reindeers found the grasses banks to their taste. What a Christmas dinner we had, the cooks excelled themselves, and the staff served us, Turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies, and we had plenty of visitors.

On the 17th of December we had our Victorian Parlour Evening, our very own compare Helen Brice dressed in Victorian costume, during the evening, Residents and staff entertained us with music and poems, and our carer’s sang Polish Christmas Carols to us which was delightful.

We ended with evening with Carols followed by Mulled wine and mince pies.

Fashion with fun was given by John, Panto of winter wonderland by Eva Entertainments, Our old friends Just Us came once again to enthrall us with their Christmas Show, Winchcombe Primary School came and sang Carols for us, Elaine gave us a flower demonstration with Christmas flowers, which can be seen all over the nursing home. We were silly children again in a silly Christmas Party. Marta gave us a talk about Christmas in Poland, where most of our helpers come from.

We are celebrating our New Year’s Party on the 31st December; this will then conclude another year.

Chronicle is back, and we would like to wish everyone a happy new year.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLEEVE CRONICLE OCTOBER 2008

This is the 34th Chronicle; the first was published in October 2005

The weather was real autumn gradually getting colder both day and night,
Ending up with a heavy fall of snow on the 27th after a hard frost the night before, the snow soon disappeared on the next sunny day, though a few bits in sheltered areas lasted a bit longer, we had showers some of which were very heavy accompanied by gales.

All the flower beds and window boxes were filled with winter plants, and the colours of the winter pansies cheer us up. Tony was quiz master and also gave a poetry reading.

We had several outings one to the Stanton area, also the river Avon at Evesham, then a trip out to Batsford Arboretum, also a visit to Cheltenham Art Gallery.

We had a craft afternoon making Christmas cards; we were entertained to an afternoon of British Traditional Songs, Harvest Festival was celebrated in the usual fashion, with hymns and prayers, Jane made a special Wheatsheaf Loaf to decorate the room.

Halloween was celebrated with a party, activities ladies dressed up as witches and ghosts, the residents were entertained with poetry and jokes, followed by nibbles and punch, the evening ended with memories of absent friends.

We all read only too often of Servicemen killed , wounded or injured on active service but rarely do we hear of a close relation of someone who we know and works with us, Lizzy our receptionist has told us about her son Steve who lost both his legs in a bomb blast in Belfast in 1989, He also lost an eye. He now as two artificial legs, but this is not stopping him from joining the crew of the Spirit of Juno which is being manned by fourteen limbless young men, as Steve cannot stand up on the boat he will have to scoot around on his bottom as the boat as not be adapted for limbless people.

They will leave Cape Verde Islands on November 3rd and hope to reach Barbados within the month. Watch out for the voyage on BBC Television who are covering the adventures of these young men, the programme is to be called Survivors. Congratulations Steve and lots of luck.

 

CLEEVE HILL CHRONICLE JULY 2008

The weather improved as the month wore on with some very hot summer days towards the end, some showers and thunder storms but no damage.

A day long outing was to Blenheim Palace with the latest trainee’s, other outings were to Pitville Park, Imperial Gardens were we saw the new statue of Gustav Holst.

We had two quizzes in the evening with Barbara and Tony as question masters.

We saw some of the RAF fly past, followed by songs by Brian Wynn, and Tony gave a poetry recital with anecdotes.

We were invaded by three large sheep who had escaped from a farmer’s field, they were put up our drive to keep them away from the traffic, and some staff saw danger to our lovely roses and put chairs around them to save them.

Although the main improvements are finished work still goes on updating some of the older rooms, involving much hammering.

Alice Mold received her medal for the Land Army, recognition at last.

 

CLEEVE CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2007

This has been a most unusual month for weather. One newspaper reported it was milder than May. We had many wild days but a frost on the 12th and sleet and snow on the 18th. The snow did not settle but turned to water as soon as it landed.

A severe virus infection affected most of the Residents and Staff. The symptoms were diarrhoea and vomiting. The home was closed for nearly two weeks to visitors. Most of the activities were cancelled due to the virus, but we are back to normal now.

Peter and Geoff gave us a pleasant evening of music by Schubert.

Toots Saunders had a very special birthday party to celebrate her 104th birthday. Toots is our eldest Resident she is a remarkable lady, she was actually born in the Reign of Edward V11.

We celebrated St Andrews Day on the 30th with a Scottish Quiz.

Started making Christmas Cards to sell. Kerensa bought her pet Ferret for everyone to see. On the 26th we had the opportunity of buying clothes from The Clothing Shop who bought in a good selection.