Yes, we are missing our former coffee mornings, keep-fit classes, coffee at Woodcote Green Garden Centre, outings, games evenings and even a walk to the shops or a bus or train trip. All the usual events have been cancelled, including our annual garden party, and we are missing the visits and help from our volunteers.

BUT INSTEAD WE HAVE OTHER THINGS

There has been coffee and tea in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and each others’ company.
Brenda, our lovely house-manager, takes our weekly service and Joyce, one of our residents, runs a keep-fit class. We are having film afternoons and coffee mornings with Brenda.

The staff have been great. We always get our delicious meals despite the early difficulties in obtaining delivery slots and some items on our shopping list. Birthday celebrations continue and they even organised a special high tea in the garden to celebrate VE day.

Our team of volunteers keep in touch with us by telephone, and cakes are regularly found left in the porch with a note.

Being able to go out again for a daily walk is a joy. Bridget’s and Alison’s excitement at being able to drive to Woodcote Green to sit on a bench and watch the world go by was great to see.
It’s lovely now to have family and friends visit us in the garden. As it gets colder the Summerhouse has been cleaned and the conservatory made ready for more sheltered socially distanced visits.

Our annual MacMillan Coffee Morning was cancelled but we came up with the idea of asking our garden visitors for a donation when they were offered coffee and cakes. And with help from our volunteers we raised a record amount for the charity. At our harvest festival service we were pleased to collect £55 for The Food Hub.

Amongst the cheerfulness and appreciation of feeling safe, the house experienced real sadness at the loss of 3 residents and the departure of Betty to a nursing home. None thankfully due to the dreaded virus. The 4 vacant rooms are now redecorated and ready for viewing. We are looking forward to welcoming new residents and our home being complete again.

Here’s to more settled times but until then, a big thank you to everyone for keeping us safe and happy.

The Abbeyfield residents at 2 Purley Knoll.