Welcome to the Ivonbrook and Darley Hall Care Homes – August Newsletter for 2020.
Staff Focus of the month
Helen works tirelessly to provide our Residents with clean clothing and immaculate linens.
Nothing leaves Helen’s hands until it is ironed, perfectly folded and smells of roses.
After spending 30 years working in the kitchens at Highfields School, she left the catering industry and came to care for others in another capacity – forever utilising her caring nature to improve the lives of others.
Adam Hodgson, Registered Manager at Darley Hall Care Home described Helen as: “Hardworking and extremely good with the residents.
“She never fails to have a smile on her face and nothing is too much of an ask.
“She is a true asset to the Domestic Team at Ivonbrook Properties.
Bastille Day – En Garde!
This month, we brought France to Ivonbrook Properties.
Our homes celebrated Fête Nationale in style with clay work, snail racing and Beef bourguignon.
Vive le France!
Activities
| Date | Activity | Time |
| Mon 3rd | Art for Wellbeing | 1.15pm |
| Thurs 6th | Bingo | 1.30pm |
| Sat 8th | Paper Kite | 3pm |
| Mon 10th | Art for Wellbeing | 1.15pm |
| Weds 12th | Stephen | 3pm |
| Thurs 13th | Karen – Hairdresser | 10am |
| Thurs 13th | Bingo | 3 pm |
| Sat 15th | Jane Music 4 All | 3pm |
| Mon 17th | Podiatrist | 9.30am |
| Mon 17th | Art for Wellbeing | 1.15pm |
| Weds 19th | Buddy Holly | 3pm |
| Thurs 20th | Sarah Bright | 3.15pm |
| Mon 24th | Art for Wellbeing | 1.15pm |
| Thurs 27th | James – singer | 10am |
| Thurs 27th | Karen – Hairdresser | 10am |
| Thurs 27th | Bingo | 2.45pm |
| Mon 31st | Art for Wellbeing | 1.15pm |
This Month in History
1st August 1774: Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804), was an English clergyman, chemist and author who discovered oxygen while conducting experiments on different ‘airs’.
While employed as the tutor of the children of William Petty (2nd Earl of Shelburne), The British Minister and Chemist Joseph Priestley discovered the gas oxygen.
20th August 1911: The first telegram is sent around the world in just 16.5 minutes
The first telegram was sent from the New York Times office to discover how long it would take for a message to cross the world by telegraph cable. The message, which travelled more than 28,000 miles, simply read “This message sent around the worldâ€.
21st August 1911: The Mona Lisa is stolen in France
Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting was stolen from the Louvre in Paris on this day in 1911. Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia decided to steal the 16thcentury painting after being employed by the Louvre. He spent the night in a closet and was able to remove the painting with ease, hiding it under his clothes and leave the building. He was then let out by a plumber after finding the doors were locked.
The painting was not reported missing until 24 hours later. It was not until two years later, in December 1913, that the painting was finally recovered. Peruggia received a seven-month jail sentence.
27th August 1955: The Guinness Book of World Records is published
The first edition of The Guinness Book of Records was published on 27th August 1955 and printed 50,000 copies in its first year. By Christmas 1955 the book had become a bestseller in the United Kingdom.
Residents Reminiscence
With the start of the school holidays, we thought it would be interesting to see how our residents would spend their summers as youngsters and explore if the start of World War Two in 1939 had any impact on their ability to get away.
It was lovely to watch them become animated and smile at their recollections.
In a group session at Ivonbrook Care Home with Jean, J1, J2, N and B, the majority remembered visiting Blackpool as children.
J1 does not recall going with her Mum and Dad, but with her Grandma and two Aunties. Her sister was seven years younger so stayed at home with mum. She remembers the Pleasure Beach, then known as the Pleasure Garden, but had no desire to go on the rides and only braved the donkeys once. Most of their time was spent on the beach.
J2 recalled going to Blackpool on a bus trip with friends when she was 16 or 17. She braved a ride on the ‘Big dipper’ but was terrified – it’s safe to say she never went again! She also recalled going to Mablethorpe but was not able to recall much detail about her visit.
N had some very clear recollections of going to Blackpool and staying in a boarding house with her Mum and Dad.
Everyone brought their own food - breakfast wasn’t supplied with the accommodation.
The guests had access to a dresser in the hall where they put their own food on a designated shelf. N’s Mum told her later that the landlady was called Little Fairy. She never found out why. She has clear images of a straw basket full of shells, making sandcastles with her bucket and spade and then sticking flags in them. She also remembered her bucket had Mickey Mouse on it.
If you enjoyed our July Newsletter, please leave a comment. Or alternatively, if you have something that you would like to feature in the next newsletter please contact us to make your submission.
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