Happy November
Lets start this months News letter off with a BANG
The care team at St Anthony’s have been working extremely hard to make this Halloween and Bonfire night/ Remembrance day transition as easy as possible with a month full of joy and entertainment. come and have a look what we have been up to in November.
On the 5th of November we celebrated Guy Fawkes by arranging a small fire display to take place within St Anthony’s Garden, where our residents and staff had a lovely evening whilst they watched our live display and sipped on a warm terry’s hot chocolate which went down a treat.
One of residents commented ” I have really enjoyed this evenings display it really has brought back some lovely memories from when i was a child”.
However, the fun didnt just stop there, the staff at St Anthonys also organised a bonfire workshop where the residents were able to get crafty using items they found in the garden along with plenty of Glitter, plaint, fabrics and all things crafty to create there own pieces of art. It was a very enjoyable day with plenty of reminiscing. Please see below examples of some of the amazing work the residents completed within the workshop.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them.
Here at St Anthonys we made a great start to remembrance day where we decorated the whole home in memory off all those lives that was affected by conflict in World War 1.
Our residents really wanted to do something special and unique to pay respect to our fallen heroes, and with a number of our elderly residents having fought through or lived through the wars, we know it is a day close to their hearts.
Our residents began gearing up for Remembrance Day early by creating poppies to decorate the lounge. They spent the morning creating the display, before turning the home into a proper service to our fallen heroes.
A period of silence was held at 11am at St Anthony’s to mark the day world war one ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.
Joanne our Registerd Manager said;
“It was a special day. Marking an occasion that means something to them brings back memories. It is a meaningful occasion and it was lovley to see that all the residents joined in various activies that was set out for them throughout the day.
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
We recieved such a great response from families and friends in our last trip down memory lane edit that we have decided to carry on bringing joy and happiness to our readers by making it a monthly occurrence.
BRIDGET KIERNAN
This month Bridget spend time with our Care Manager Jessica Morris on a one to one activity where she shared her life experiences and reminisced about all the good times.
About me
I was born in 1934 my place of birth was Porthall hilford Dongal Ireland i lived with my mum and dad my Mothers name was Bridget Gallagher and my Fathers name was Joseph Gallagher who was a land manager.
I was the second oldest out of six children. My mum sadly passed away when i was eight years old, i left school when i was fourteen to look after my younger siblings.
I always liked to look my best, i loved nice clothes, bags and shoes , i always had my hair done weekly and liked to keep my nails short and painted.
When i was 20 i left Ireland to work in the singer sewing machine factory in Glasgow i sprayed the machines it was hard work !
I even had to work on Christmas day we had fish and chips for Christmas lunch.
I was a theatre nurse until sadly i watched a child pass away on the operating table.
I married my husband Joe on the 3rd of August in 1963 i was given away by my father Joe and Married a Joe.
We then had three children Theresa, Joseph and Siobhan.
Social Activities and interests
I went to mass at the Abbey Catholic Church in England in Erdington every Sunday and i regularly say my prayers.
I also enjoyed a girls night out and the chance to dress up whenever possible.
People who are important to me now.
Meet my beautiful children and their beautiful families, my family mean everything to me. A little message to my family :
“You all don’t just mean the world to me, you are my world and i love you with all my heart”
If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see or hear about in the future issues, then please get in touch by emailing info@st-anthonys.co we always love to hear from you.
Thank you.