Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
As music fans enjoy Glastonbury in the festival’s 50th year, having been postponed in the past two years, some Droitwich care home residents were also feeling festival fever.
Staff at the Westmead Residential Care Home staged “Glastonmead” with Midlands Glam Rock duo Glam Sparrow headlining the “pyramid” stage, performing an array of hits from the likes of The Beatles and Doris Day.
While the band performed, the care home team created a temporary tattoo parlour, where residents could get “inked up”. And there was an array of colourful bunting, bubbles, and flags, bringing the Worthy Farm atmosphere to the Midlands.
The residents were joined by their loved ones who enjoyed a sing and dance together in the garden while soaking up the sunshine!
Resident Brenda Rastall, 82, said: “It was such a treat to have live musicians perform for us. The band were brilliant, and it was so much fun to get together and enjoy the music. My favourite part was singing ‘Welcome To My World’.”
Mark Jankowski, a member of the catering team, played the harmonica to get the festival-goers warmed up for the day.
He said: “I loved it, I absolutely loved it!
They often call me the entertainer, which always makes me laugh, but it is so nice that the residents can enjoy a day full of music and laughter.”
Kate Lockwood, activities coordinator at the care home, who organised the festival, said: “Much like every other family, we love to learn all about our residents’ life stories and interests, so we can create the best experiences that they will really enjoy.
“‘Glastonmead’ festival was particularly special as many of our residents are older people living with
dementia.
“It was magical to see the joy and happiness that live music and a song and a
Angie Houghton from Smallfield, Surrey, took in her beautiful cat Peach when her owner passed away.
Angie says: “She is our angel. Funny and sociable. If anyone is feeling down or ill she is there – in a former life I do believe she was a nurse! She’s always purring, it’s lovely.”
Send your tribute to a beloved pet to siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk