Bromsgrove care home residents and school pupils join forces for Harvest Festival fun

 

A care home in Bromsgrove has joined forces with local primary school children to celebrate Harvest Festival.  

Residents at Care UK’s Chandler Court, on Recreation Road, were joined by Castle Nursery children for an a-maize-ing afternoon as they celebrated the annual festival.  

Everyone enjoyed an afternoon learning about the origins of the festival, what it means for today’s society, and why this long-standing tradition should not be forgotten. The youngsters and residents also spent time together singing Harvest Festival themed songs.

Residents and team members are also encouraging the local community to donate their extra, unused or unwanted non-perishable food items to Bromsgrove’s new foodbank drop-off-point – located in the Chandler Court care home’s reception area. The foodbank, which will see donations made to local charity NewStarts, is now open for drop-offs.

Commenting on the afternoon’s celebrations, resident Betty Daplyn, 90, said: “I always enjoy the church services and so the children coming made it extra special. I remember the harvest festival when I was younger – we went to church to sing hymns, which was always my favourite. I am enjoying seeing all the food collected that is going to charity.”

Team member and beekeeper, Carl Hodson, also gave a talk to residents about the importance of bees in the ecosystem and inspired a themed baking session. Residents enjoyed making bread that looked like bumble bees and used edible black and yellow food colouring.

As part of the celebrations, residents also visited Bromsgrove market to buy local fruit and vegetables for a Harvest Festival-inspired, zero-waste dinner. Head Chef Alex Millchamp prepared a seasonal vegetable soup served with a roasted vegetable focaccia for the starter, roast chicken served with home grown new potatoes for the main course, and a bread and butter terrine with poached local seasonal fruit for dessert.

Lilly Dahms, Home Manager at Chandler Court, said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with NewStarts and welcomed Castle Nursery children to Chandler Court to explore the importance of the Harvest Festival. 

“Harvest Festival is a day in the calendar where we can reflect and show gratitude for the food that we have, while serving as an opportunity to encourage people to donate unwanted or unused items, and connect with others, regardless of age or background.  

“Everyone had an a-maize-ing day and we’re already looking forward to our next event with Castle Nursery children as we race towards Christmas!”

To find out more about Care UK’s Harvest Festival, please visit: careuk.com/harvest-festival

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