A DORSET dementia care home held a beach themed garden party to celebrate its 21st anniversary coupled with the opening of a new multi-functional summerhouse.
Residents, relatives, staff, neighbours and community friends all enjoyed the fun of the double celebration at Colten Care’s The Aldbury in Poole.
Home manager Martin Corrigan made a splash by taking the ‘throw-the-sponge-at-a-member-of staff’ opportunity up a gear.
On hearing that he could take aim and throw a wet sponge at Martin for just £1, Steve Selway, a resident’s husband, joined the lengthening queue and joked: “How much for the whole bucket?”.
With Martin’s good grace, Steve then dispensed with the chance of target practice from a distance, picked up the bucket and deluged him in an overhead cascade of cold water to much laughter all round.
“I had to brace myself for a freezing cold shower moment but it was all fine,” said Martin.
As well as the sponge game, party guests had fun at a coconut shy and danced and sang along to music from singer Tyler. And a sand pit proved a great draw for children attending.
Martin added: “It was a superb afternoon and an ideal chance to have fun and celebrate 21 years of serving our community among friends old and new.
“The focus for The Aldbury is just as it was when we opened in 2003. It’s all about supporting people with dementia to live well. The Retreat is a lovely space that will help us do exactly that.”
The party also featured a naming ceremony for the home’s new summer house which has taken pride of place in one of its gardens.
Residents were invited to suggest names beforehand, with winning entry The Retreat put forward by Tony Husband.