Residents from four Yorkshire care homes head back to the roaring forties

Mayor of Kirklees joins care home residents and staff at summer party.

Residents from not one, but four Yorkshire care homes took a step back in time to the summer of 1940 for one day only this August, at Ideal Carehomes’ ‘roaring forties’ dance party.

The event at Lockwood Park’s Waterloo Suite brought together residents from four Ideal Carehomes – Lydgate Lodge in Batley, Dewsbury’s Ashworth Grange, Greenacres in Meltham and Castleford’s Newfield Lodge, on Thursday 1st August.

The brainchild of care home lifestyle managers Colette Senior and Jessica Skirrow, partygoers were invited to dress up in authentic 1940s outfits and re-enact some of the decade’s most well-loved dances, with a little help from music and dance entertainers, The Andersons.

The new Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Mumtaz Hussain, joined the celebration, opening the first dance with a welcome speech. The dance was followed by a traditional afternoon tea for all guests.

Greenacres resident, Marjorie Scott (88) said: "I had a brilliant afternoon at the 1940s summer dance. Not only did I get to enjoy some of my favourite songs from the era, but I was also able to meet up with friends from the other Yorkshire homes and have a good old catch up.

"It really took me back to the 40s and brought back lots of memories from the good old days. I enjoyed dressing up in a 1940’s dress, which I bought specially for the occasion. I had so many compliments about how lovely I looked. It was so nice to get my hair done and get all dressed up again. It was such a special day that I will always remember."

Mayor Cllr Mumtaz Hussain added: “I thoroughly enjoyed attending this wonderful event. There was a great atmosphere and it was good to see the residents from the different Ideal Carehomes getting together and enjoying the music and reminiscing about their life experiences.”

Jessica, lifestyle manager at Greenacres care home, said: “We wanted to celebrate summer in style this year and what better way than bringing our Yorkshire residents together and indulging them in some music and dancing from one of their favourite eras.

“It was a fantastic day, with over 100 residents donning victory rolls and flat tops to join in the celebrations and reminisce about this wonderful era.”

All four Ideal Carehomes offer 24-hour residential and dementia care in modern and luxurious settings with homes boasting cinema rooms, tea rooms, hair salons, spacious lounges and landscaped gardens. Residents can enjoy a full programme of health, leisure and wellbeing activities which are managed by dedicated lifestyle managers.

To contact Greenacres, please call 01484 855 390 or email greenacres@idealcarehomes.co.uk To contact Ashworth Grange, please call 01924 869 970 or email ashworth.grange@idealcarehomes.co.uk To contact Lydgate Lodge, please call 01924 355 020 or email lydgate.lodge@idealcarehomes.co.uk To contact Newfield Lodge, please call 01977 522 267 or email newfield.lodge@idealcarehomes.co.uk

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