Tyne and Wear care homes invite local community to honour D-Day

Tyne and Wear care homes are opening their doors to the community for a commemorative ceremony.

On Thursday 6^th June, Care UK’s Armstrong House, on Lobley Hill Road, Grangewood, on Chester Road, and Ponteland Manor, on Thornhill Road, are all welcoming local people to honour the 80^th anniversary of D-Day with its very own lamp lighting ceremony. 

To commemorate the Normandy Landings on 6^th June 1944, Care UK is partnering with royal pageant master Bruno Peek, CVO OBE OPR, coordinator of ‘D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace’. Along with charities supporting the three forces and the Merchant Navy Association, over 100 Care UK homes will take part in this nationwide tribute.

At Armstrong House, the team has been hard at work organising a special event which will take place from 11am-4pm and see residents and guests enjoy a 1940s-themed party, complete with bunting, flags, and popular wartime songs. Team members will be dressed in wartime clothes and the culinary team will serve delicious, themed refreshments. 

The lamp, which represents the peace that followed the end of World War Two, will be lit at Armstrong House at 11.15am by the cadets, following a Royal Air Force march, speech and flag raising ceremony. 

At Grangewood, 2pm-4pm, there will be a street party and live performance from the local brass band to raise funds for the Royal British Legion. The lamp of peace will be lit at 3pm by Roberts Hall, resident and veteran.

Meanwhile, at Ponteland Manor, from 11am-2pm, there will be a live wartime music-inspired concert, followed by a tea party, and then the cadets and local military will be marking the occasion with a lamp lighting ceremony.

Margaret Frater, Home Manager at Armstrong House, said: “Here at Armstrong House, we’re passionate about playing an active role in our community, so we’re delighted to be joining a nationwide initiative by opening our doors to mark the 80^th anniversary of D-Day.

Joleen Rayner, Home Manager at Grangewood, added: “Reminiscence activities are a great way for older people, including those living with dementia, to connect with those around them and help maintain a sense of identity, and in the run up to the day, residents have been sharing their own stories and memories – it’s been fantastic to hear everyone’s experiences and learn from one another.

Paula Routledge, Home Manager at Ponteland Manor, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming new friends and old faces to Ponteland Manor for what we anticipate will be a heartfelt day for everyone involved!”  

To find out more about how Care UK is supporting the initiative, please visit: careuk.com/dday-80th-anniversary 

Armstrong House, Grangewood, and Ponteland Manor are all designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has plenty of space - both indoors and out - for relaxation and recreation. The home has a comprehensive activity programme, offering a mix of themed events, group activities and days out.