It’s been an amazing April in the Home this year.  The good weather enabled residents to spill outside into the grounds and make the most of our beautiful surroundings.

The gardening club has been busy, propagating house plants and sowing vegetables from seed.  This green fingered resident team is cultivating a wide array of vegetables, herbs and flowers which will be harvested for use in the Home, either within the Cookery Club for lovely home grown lunches, or by our fantastic professional culinary team in our on-site kitchens.  Residents have also expressed an interest in setting up a small fundraising enterprise and have plans for flowering pots and herb planters…watch this space!

We dipped our toes into the waters of the Forth and Clyde Canal with a great gentleman’s boating trip facilitated by the wonderful volunteers involved with The Seagull Trust.  It may have been a dull day outside but it was sunny and bright aboard our little boat!  As we puttered along we chatted about times we’d spent by the water, admired the flowers starting to bloom on the canal bank and spotted rabbits, deer, dogs and ducks!  With a brew and a bite to eat provided on board, the afternoon was just perfect and we are looking forward to many more trips with the Seagull Trust.

Walking Football came home to William Simpsons once more as we enjoyed the first match of the season on our own hallowed turf!  Two teams lined up, each comprising of a mix of residents and staff members primed and ready to play in front of a crowd of spectators who were enjoying a grandstand view.  The countdown to kick off was led by our cheerleading ladies and although the final score is open to debate, the enjoyment on everyone’s faces made our first match at home a clear and outright winner!

National Pet Day on 11^th April was marked by Woody the hairy hound and Keira the spotty dog visiting the Home.  These two staff dogs had a great time, sitting on knees and generally being pampered and petted as they made their way round the flats before heading out with residents for a much needed leg stretch and walk around the grounds.

To finish off this fantastic month we slipped back in time and celebrated 70’s Week which included an Abba-tastic 70’s tribute by Super-Trouper Songsters Sean and Chantelle.  With our own take on well known throw-back game shows, themed film afternoon and fancy dress karaoke, residents had a well-filled week of fun and games!  It was not all tasteless tack during the week as the café was converted into a bespoke Bistro where residents enjoyed a night of fine Italian dining, topped off with a cornetto…well, you’ve got to!