Commonwealth Games: Birmingham's care home residents feel it's 'a great time to be a Brummie!'

A care home has welcomed the Commonwealth Games in its home city of Birmingham by hosting its own version of the tournament.

Residents at Metchley Manor in Edgbaston competed in their own version of the games with a week-long tournament in their garden which had been decorated with flags from participating Commonwealth countries.

Joan McNeish aged 85, who is resident at Metchley Manor, said: “My husband Alexander competed in the Commonwealth Games in swimming for Scotland, so this is a lovely way to remember him and enjoy the excitement the games has bought to Birmingham.”

Boules, tennis and table tennis were among the sports played by residents at the care home run by Care UK. A ceremony was organised by staff with each victorious resident receiving their own gold medal.

Residents will be going to see the games in person when they attend athletics events at the Commonwealth Games on 3 August.

'Fantastic atmosphere in the city'

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games began on 28 July and ends on Monday, 8 August.

Kim-Marie Newton, general manager at Metchley Manor, said: “With the Commonwealth Games literally on our doorstep, we knew we had to celebrate this fantastic moment in Birmingham’s history.

“Here at Metchley Manor, we know just how important physical activity is when it comes to overall wellbeing, so we always encourage residents to stay active – so our own Commonwealth Games-themed activity was a great, topical way to do just that.

“There is a fantastic atmosphere in the city at the moment which is great to be part of. It’s certainly a great time to be a Brummie!"

On the start of day 6, host nation England had to date (3 August) 86 medals in total and 30 golds - putting it in second place on the Commonwealth Games' medals table.

Ms Newton added: “We’d like to say good luck to all of the British athletes – we certainly won a few medals of our own here!”

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