This month’s theme was ‘Garden Celebrations Month’ reflecting a very important date in our home’s calendar that of the annual garden party on 19th September.
Friday 4th September
A group of residents from Hill House and Hillbrow enjoyed a trip this morning to the ‘Tweseldown’ pub. Residents chatted over a glass of wine or beer and enjoyed the atmosphere of the ‘local!’ During the afternoon residents enjoyed a sing-a-long tea party moving to music from the sixties. 
Monday 7th September
Residents enjoyed flower arranging this afternoon, vases were creatively and carefully filled with beautiful carnations, roses and sweetpeas as well as some interesting foliage. The home was an array of beautiful flowers thanks to their efforts. 
Tuesday 8th September
With the onset of the children going back to school after their Summer holidays, the residents today enjoyed reminiscing about their school days. This activity included looking at old school books, equipment such as a telescope, geometry set, ink bottle and satchel, slide rule and calculator. Residents talked about school life for them and a comparison was made with school nowadays by doing a ‘Then’ and ‘Now’ chart on the whiteboard. Activity co-ordinators donned old fashioned mortar boards and Residents shared their memories…. we learnt who did and didn’t enjoy school days and even what their favourite subjects were!
Wednesday 9th September
Hill House residents celebrated our Queen becoming the longest reigning monarch ever in history. Here reign of 63 years, 7 months and three days was celebrated with a Royal quiz during the morning. Some residents watched her board a steam train of the Borders railway live on TV During the afternoon residents sang the National Anthem in honour of her Majesty and enjoyed a picture gallery and scrapbook of the Royal family as well as learning some interesting facts about members of her family and the Queen’s life. The afternoon ended with a lively Scottish dance rendition acknowledging her links to Scotland and her current Summer residence at Balmoral.
Thursday 10th September
Residents enjoyed a live musical performance bought to us by ‘Music in Hospitals.’ Musicians played the piano and violin, a very talented duo Gunther and Chinara. Residents enjoyed a mixed programme of classic and contemporary music, including many famous arias as well as music from the stage. The music was accompanied by a wonderful afternoon tea and a nice glass of wine.
Friday 11th September
During the morning Vicar Tara led residents in the monthly church service with some lovely hymns. The same morning a group of residents from both Hill Brow and Hill House embarked on a trip to the seaside, Southsea. It was a lovely Indian Summer day and residents enjoyed a sing-song in the minibus on the way down before arriving at around 11.15. Residents enjoyed a stroll along the promenade in bright sunshine, albeit a bit breezy and enjoyed tea and coffee by the sea. Lunch was delicious fish and chips at ‘Rocksbys’ with a lovely view of the sea, after which residents had another walk in the bracing sea air and enjoyed watching the many ships that were sailing in the area. Residents then all enjoyed ice cream in the sunshine and an open air sing-song, before returning happy but tired after a very enjoyable day by the sea.
Saturday 19th September
This was a very special day in the Hill House calendar, the day of the annual garden party – this year held in the grounds of Hill House itself. The morning dawned bright sunny and warm , we were blessed!!…… Staff were busy making last minute arrangements in the morning and setting the tables up for the various stalls, however soon after lunch everything was ready for the start of the garden party at 2.00pm. Residents from across all three homes attended, many accompanied by their relatives and other friends.
The garden party attractions included; a plentiful tombola, raffle, homemade cake stall, ‘Spongebob’ wet sponge throwing stall, residents arts and crafts stall, lucky dip, Bingo stall and fabulous bouncy castle for the children. Indoors wine, tea and coffee and soft drinks were served along with a delicious buffet in the main dining room. At 3.00pm the entertainment commenced with ’James’ singing a selection of well-known old favourites that got everyone joining in and some even dancing!
Residents and their guests enjoyed the buffet, wine and the musical performance. Everyone enjoyed themselves – there was a nice relaxed atmosphere and residents were very happy throughout the afternoon as all the smiley photographs demonstrate!! 
At 4.00pm Alison announced the winners of the various competitions: ‘Guess the number of sweets’, ‘Guess the weight of the cake’,‘ Guess the name of the bear’ and the raffle winners. All in all a lovely afternoon, with lovely weather and a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere for our residents, relatives and friends!! The garden party raised some £1,300 pounds which Alison has doubled so the final amount raised for our very deserving charity was £2,600!!
Tuesday 22nd September
A group of residents enjoyed a trip to Badshot Lea Garden Centre. They enjoyed a stroll through the various floral displays and particularly enjoyed seeing the tropical fish in the aquaria and the small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs which were very cute. After this residents enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits in the Garden Centre restaurant, before returning home in time for lunch. 
Throughout the month residents enjoyed their regular activities such as quizzes, word searches and skittles.