1940s themed fun at Doncaster care home

Residents at a Doncaster care home spent the afternoon singing along to their favourite wartime songs as part of a 1940s themed event.
A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are residents Elsie Price, Harry Woodward, and Joyce Matthews.A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are residents Elsie Price, Harry Woodward, and Joyce Matthews.
A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are residents Elsie Price, Harry Woodward, and Joyce Matthews.

Staff at Brookwood Care Home in Balby are now planning to make the 1940s garden party an annual event after its success.

As part of the extravaganza residents enjoyed traditional music courtesy of the Markham Main Colliery Band and a 1940s-style singer.

A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are Pippa McFarlane, David Maidens, and Lyn George.A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are Pippa McFarlane, David Maidens, and Lyn George.
A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are Pippa McFarlane, David Maidens, and Lyn George.
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The Markham Main Colliery band, based in Armthorpe,delighted residents and their families with traditional tunes from the 1940s as they tucked into cakes and tasty treats.

Elsie Price, Harry Woodward, and Joyce Matthews were among the residents who proudly held Union Jack flags and cheered along and joined in with the singing and festivities in the sunshine.

As well as the entertainment staff put on a cake stall, tombola and bric-a-brac stall as part of the event to help raise funds for the care home.

Cash is still being collected but all the money raised on the day will be used to fund outings and excursions for residents at the home.

A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are the Markham Main Colliery Band.A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are the Markham Main Colliery Band.
A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are the Markham Main Colliery Band.
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Speaking about the event on Saturday Karen Higgs, senior carer at the home, that specialises in dementia care said the day was a big success.

She added: “This was the first time we have held an event of this kind and it was really successful.

“It was something the care home manager came up with and I think we will probably make it an annual event now.

“We had a colliery brass band, a 1940s lady singer, tombola, bric a brac and a cake stall.

A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are Pippa McFarlane, David Maidens, and Lyn George.A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are Pippa McFarlane, David Maidens, and Lyn George.
A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are Pippa McFarlane, David Maidens, and Lyn George.
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“The residents loved it and I think it brought back a lot of special memories for lots of the resident.

“There was a really nice atmosphere all day and the weather was lovely.

“A lot of family members came along to support the event on the day too.

“It would be nice to make this an annual affair and I think because it was such a big hit we probably will.”

A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are the Markham Main Colliery Band.A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are the Markham Main Colliery Band.
A 1940's garden party was held at Brookwood Car Home in Doncaster. Pictured are the Markham Main Colliery Band.
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The event also gave residents the opportunity to recall memories of their past and share stories together.

Staff at the Balby home regularly arrange special events for residents.

Brookwood is a specialist dementia home.