Valentine’s and Pancake Day fun for care home residents

Those at Westlake House nursing home, in Pondtail Road, celebrated Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 14, by making gift bags with chocolate kisses for each other and by decorating love trees to adorn the home. Valentine Cook – a resident at Westlake House who was given her name because she was born on Valentine’s Day – said: “It has been a lovely day. “It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get involved with the day’s festivities. “I really liked the lovely gifts we made for each other and our families.” The care home was filled with flowers, cards and sweets as residents received gifts from their families, and the day finished off with a celebratory lunch with bubbles. General manager, Kate Day said: “Today has shown us all that you are never too old for love. We’ve had a whole range of treats and Valentine’s themed fun for the individuals that live here, and their guests, and we have enjoyed every moment of it.” Soon after the Valentine’s celebrations were over the Westlake residents had their annual Shrove Tuesday celebrations to look forward to on Tuesday, February 16. The care home marked this Pancake Day with a fun-filled pancake tossing competition which saw residents flipping and turning pancakes all morning in preparation for their annual pancake race. Head chef, Anthony Sayers flipped more than 100 pancakes, which were served to residents with both sweet and savoury fillings. He said: “I like experimenting with the fillings – the residents’ favourites are spinach and cheese, chocolate spread and banana and of course, good old fashioned lemon and sugar. “My secret to the best pancakes is all in the whipping. “Give it some elbow grease when mixing the batter and you’ll get perfect pancakes every time.” For more about Westlake House, visit https://bit.ly/2NJJk2m