Private Nursing Home in Guildford gets in the Christmas mood.
Christmas is such a wonderful time of year with all the lights, decorations and presents. The delivery of the enormous 13ft Nordman Fir tree arriving from Oxenford Farm near Milford always marks the beginning of Christmas here at Birtley. Not to mention, it looks wonderful when adorned with all of its decorations creating a wonderful focal point in Birtley’s grandiose foyer.
Christmas is a time for festive fun
In the weeks leading up to the big day, the calendar is always full of fun and games. Our activities team always do their best to encourage everyone to join in on the festive fun and this year it was no different. Here are some of the wonderfully festive activities that went ahead over Christmas at Birtley House.
The Wintershall Singers sang carols to a well-attended hall of residents and staff covering the classic carols and on-stage favourites which we were all encouraged to sing along to as well as Birtley staff performing Christmas carols, with great enthusiasm and gusto!
The annual Christmas Pantomime production always raises hearts and merriment. And, this year’s production was just as much of a sensation with Jack and the Beanstalk. A wonderful way to get into the festive spirit, oh yes, it was! A friends and family afternoon Christmas party was had, a time to get together for nibbles and drinks. The yearly staff Christmas jumper day; from fun to sparkly they always make people smile and all money raised goes to such a great cause Save the Children.
Religion is always an important factor at Birtley. This year, the Christmas service communion was with Chaplain, Rev. Tilly. Each year always provides a time for appreciation of the true meaning of Christmas. And, we can’t go a year without Christmas craft! We got to work with Christmas crafting through a production line of green-fingered little helpers all making the table decorations for the Christmas lunch. A lovely afternoon with Val was had making gorgeous Christmas arrangements for rooms and making Christmas gonks!
Christmas is a time for gratitude
It is this time of year that we also reflect on those less fortunate than ourselves. This is the fourth year that staff and residents’ donations have been collected throughout November for this festive period. Whether donations are either food or money, all are taken to the local food bank. Cranleigh Church then distributes the various goods and packages to local families.
Now is the time to appreciate each other. Spreading joy with token gifts to acknowledge the hard work and friendship bonds that have been formed throughout the last year.
Christmas is a time for reflection
Our staff hear some lovely and funny stories from our residents including wonderful references to going to carol singing with the family, but not all houses they visited being receptive to listening!
Another amazing story was about a father who used to carve tiny mice out of the apple pips they received in their Christmas stockings. Cine film projectors were hired showing Black & White Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin films. In addition, footage of people sledging into their garden, as they could not stop at the bottom of Boxhill. A very famous scenic spot in the Surrey Hills.
Birtley House hopes however and whoever you share Christmas with, it was a happy joyous one where memories were made to last a lifetime.
Birtley House Nursing Home is a privately-owned and family-run care home in Bramley, Guildford Surrey. Nestled in the Surrey Hills countryside. Birtley House offers residential and respite care. Dementia care and nursing and residential care for up to 47 people within 48 acres of grounds.
If you are interested in learning more about Birtley House Nursing home, please call 01483 892 055 or info@birtleyhouse.co.uk
