5 days ago
Care home residents celebrate International Picnic Day
Residents at care homes in Dorset and Hampshire enjoyed a day of picnics and outdoor fun.
Gardens, courtyards and summer houses at seven Colten Care homes hosted meals, live music and singalongs as guests reminisced about past picnics.
Residents and home chefs collaborated to prepare traditional picnic fare such as quiches, sausage rolls, dips, sandwiches and salads.
There were old-fashioned drinks including ginger beer, homemade lemonade and dandelion and burdock cordials.
Enjoying a picnic in the garden at Colten Care's The Aldbury in Poole (Image: Colten Care) These celebratory gatherings, inspired by International Picnic Day, took place at Canford Chase and The Aldbury in Poole, Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Fernhill in Longham, Whitecliffe House in Blandford, Abbey View in Sherborne and Belmore Lodge in Lymington.
At Canford Chase, several residents spent the morning preparing sandwiches and cutting up vegetables.
Anne Hammond said: "It reminded me of being a Girl Guide and making picnics at camp."
Tony Husband, a resident at The Aldbury, said: "The food was nice and we, our families and the Companions all did very well by the support of the team."
At Fernhill, there was a '1950s retro feel' with gingham-checkered fabrics adorning hampers, blankets, aprons and tablecloths.
Among those performing live music was pianist Kevin Pritchard, a member of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, who entertained at Woodpeckers.
