Charles Court Care Home, Hereford celebrated the centenary of the life and work of renowned local artist Brian Hatton, who died in WWI, as part of its celebrations on National Care Home Open Day (17 June).

The theme was also chosen to celebrate a recent medal honour for one of the home’s residents, Jeanne, who received her Land Army Medal for her services during World War II.

Jeanne met and married a USA GI Tony Picciano, who landed at Omaha Beach and later helped to liberate Nazi concentration camps. After he went to New York, his wife followed aboard HMS Washington. Because the couple remained in America until Mr Picciano’s death, Jeanne missed out on her medal, which was applied for on her behalf by Herefordshire Lore Munitions Group.

National Care Home Open Day is a UK-wide initiative where care homes celebrate and open their doors to the local community. Thousands of care homes across the UK take part each year in the open day event, welcoming the public and arranging events and activities that help to create lasting links between care home residents and their local communities.

Staff at Charles Court went the extra mile to provide a day to remember for residents and participants - and the general consensus was that it was a great success.

A full day’s activities started with creating artwork inspired by renowned local artist Brian Hatton. There was an indoor picnic, and the day finished with a cream tea with home-made scones.

“We had such a party… it was like Glastonbury for the elderly,” said one relative, having enjoyed the singing and dancing to music provided by entertainer Eddie Graham.

Home Manager Bernice Cooper said: “The thunderstorms across Herefordshire meant we were unable to have our planned outdoor barbeque but this did not dampen our mood. We carried on with the day as planned enjoying an indoor picnic with lots of singing and dancing. We all worked together to create a memorable day for everyone involved.”

Celebrations for National Care Home Day also took place at St Mark's Court, Swansea, Buckingham Lodge, Norfolk and Arthur House, Wimbledon where residents enjoyed music therapy, a Mad Hatter's tea party and a visit from a local councillor, respectively.

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