Poetry a big success at care home

Huddersfield Giants ambassador Eorl Crabtree with youngsters in the poetry competition from Reinwood Junior School, shown at Lindley Grange care home CARE home residents enjoyed listening to children read poems they had written about their hometown.

The youngsters from Reinwood Junior School in Oakes were tasked with creating their own poetry around the subject of what Huddersfield means to them.

The competition was organised by Becky Crowe, the activity organiser for Lindley Grange care home.

It was judged by Huddersfield Giants legend and club ambassador Eorl Crabtree and Jacqueline Crowther, Admiral nurse for Kirkwood Hospice.

The top 10 shortlisted children attended and enthusiastically read their poems to the residents, staff and visitors while the judges eagerly listened on.

The judges said that the standard of the poems was exceptional and it was extremely difficult for them to make a decision.

However, Imogen Dixon won the first prize of an Amazon Kindle Fire tablet with her entry ‘Appy Uddersfield.’

Isabel Crane came second, winning a £30 Smiggle voucher and Romann Akhtar won a £10 Smiggle voucher when he came in third.

The runners-up were Megan Hirst, Marley Bennett Hill, Alesha Qals, Araam Shehryarei-Far, Bethany Dixon,Priya Sandhu and Haania Siddiq who all received an Easter egg.

All of the prizes were donated by Lindley Grange Care Home.

Eorl said he was really impressed with how the children presented themselves and that they should be proud of their efforts.

Jacqueline commented that she was honoured to be a judge and it was lovely to be involved in events that brought the community together.

Home manager Charlie Kenny, said: “It’s important that care homes maintain community links and break down the stigmas associated with dementia.

“This starts with the school age children.

“The residents at Lindley Grange benefitted from listening to poems about their beloved hometown and spending time with the children.

“They had a laugh and joke with them, even having an impromptu sing-along from one of our residents, Mary Hayden, who couldn’t believe the size of the ‘big Giant’ Eorl.

The winning poems will be displayed in Lindley Grange and Kirkwood Hospice newsletters as well as within the care home.

Lindley Grange is set to open its doors for National Care Home Open Day tomorrow, April 21.

The event takes place from 2pm and everyone is welcome to join in.