Last month’s theme was ‘World Cruise’ and we travelled to many different and some exotic locations in our very own cruise ship ‘Hill House I’ or ‘H.H.I’ as she is called (see our vessel on the Summer theme table in the main lounge!)

DSC02770 DSC02773
We started by visiting our very own lovely British seaside. There was much reminiscing about holidays, traditional seaside songs and shanties, all before we moved onto Spain, Nepal and the good old U.S.A.

On 6th of July, residents enjoyed a rousing sing-a-long with a seaside theme. Songs such as ‘I do like to be beside the seaside’, and ‘Yellow Submarine’ were interspersed with some sea themed poetry and a lively quiz. Residents sang along, some danced and then enjoyed tea and cake to finish.

Jenny entertained us on Friday 8th with some well-known British songs, which got everyone singing and clapping along. Many residents joined hands and danced too, some getting very excited at the music and atmosphere! All in all it was a great afternoon that everyone enjoyed.

DSC02741 DSC02764
Hill House residents joined others at Hill Brow for the charity quiz on Tuesday 12th. Relatives joined residents and some staff for the quarterly quiz in aid of our charity ‘Families Supporting Care’. Once again it was a very closely fought competition, but eventually the ‘No Hopers’ team won, with the Hill House team ‘Martians’ coming second!! Everyone that took part enjoyed the evening which included refreshments and a raffle.

Our monthly ‘Singing for the Brain’ session was on 13th July, with the lovely Barbara Raynor. The session included some rousing, good old favourites. A particular song which everyone enjoyed was the wartime favourite ’I want a banana!!’ and ‘Bobby Shaftoe’ which got everyone singing and joining in with the movements. Residents enjoyed tea and cake afterwards.

Our Charity Sponsored Walk and the Spanish Dancing Party took place on 15th July. In the morning, a large group of staff and some friends set off at 9.45am on a 10 mile sponsored walk, in and around the local area in aid of our charity ‘Families Supporting Care.’ So enthusiastic were the walkers they even warmed up with a spot of ‘Zumba’ fitness before setting off. The group walked from the home at Ewshot, on to Crondall, then to Dogmersfield, eventually coming right back to Ewshot, completing in fact well over 10 miles!! They returned tired but happy to be greeted with cheers and bunting waving. To date the walk has raised no less than £2000 for the home’s very own charity, with still more sponsorship money to come in. Special thanks must go to Tesco, Aldershot for supplying all our walkers with drinks and snacks free of charge!

DSC02804IMG_2494

In the afternoon, residents enjoyed some traditional Spanish dancing as part of the Spanish week whilst on the ‘virtual cruise.’ Earlier in the week they had taken part in a Spanish quiz, learnt about the country and its culture as well as some of its most famous landmarks. Today they enjoyed the Flamenco and Pasa Doble performances complete with castanets, as well as singing along enthusiastically to the classic seventies hit ‘Viva Espana!’ to conclude the afternoon.

DSC02828 DSC02833
On Friday 22nd, residents enjoyed watching some of our staff perform traditional Nepalese dances as part of our Nepalese week whilst on the ‘virtual cruise’. Earlier in the week they had learnt about the country and its culture as well as looking at some of its most famous landmarks. They really enjoyed the colourful costumes and unusual Nepalese music and choreography. They also learnt a little more of the culture from our very own Kalpita, who compared the afternoon so well, dressed in a beautiful and colourful Nepalese embroidered tunic and pants. Residents and staff alike all joined in the final communal dance and everyone enjoyed tea and cake afterwards.

DSC02855 DSC02872 DSC02883 DSC02904
Our trip finished in America. On the 27th, residents enjoyed a lively American style party, with line dancing, traditional American songs and a quiz about all things American.

DSC02926

The finale was Friday the 29th, celebrating all things American with George, who sang many well-known songs by American singers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Lynn Anderson. Some residents took to the floor and danced, before they enjoyed their tea and cake.

DSC02935 DSC02939