Leamington Spa care home veterans honour D-Day anniversary

A Leamington Spa care home hosted a special event to mark 80 years since D-Day.

Care UK’s Priors House, on Old Milverton Lane, welcomed the community for its 1940s-themed street party and lamp lighting ceremony on Thursday 6^th June. 

To commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6^th June 1944, Care UK partnered with royal pageant master Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, coordinator of ‘D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace’. Along with the three Forces Charities and the Merchant Navy Association, more than 100 Care UK homes took part in this nationwide tribute. 

At Priors House, residents and team members adorned the home in bunting and posters, and wore wartime clothes, while singer Gemma Richens got everyone in the party spirit with some 1940s tunes. There was also a D-Day quiz and reminiscence session, featuring old pictures and memorabilia, plus a tasty barbecue prepared by the home’s chef.

In the evening, a special lamp, representing the peace following the end of World War Two, was lit by resident Mick Belcher, aged 78. Two of his uncles served in the armed forces, and one of them even received an MBE for his services as a regimental centenary. 

Mick said: “It was very important for me to pay my respects at this special event. I was enormously proud to be asked to light the lamp.”

Francine Summers, Home Manager at Priors House, said: “It was an honour to join this nationwide initiative and mark the 80^th anniversary of D-Day. 

“Many residents have vivid memories of the years they spent in the Armed Forces, so major anniversaries like these are extremely meaningful to them. Commemorating the anniversary gave everyone a valuable opportunity to reminisce with many people in the community, including other veterans.

“It really was a heartfelt day for everyone involved. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us on the day! 

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

Priors House, which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.