Abbotts Barton Care Home got into the Winter Olympics spirit with a fun-filled mini-Olympics for residents. The day kicked off with a chair-based version of curling, using brooms and lightweight pucks.
Eight rounds of spirited competition saw surprising results. The festivities continued with winter sports-inspired challenges, including bobsleigh runs, tobogganing, and skeleton races — all adapted to be safe and enjoyable for residents.
Even the home’s minibus driver, Martin, joined in on the fun. Residents wore goggles and woolly hats, adding to the festive atmosphere, and laughter echoed throughout the home.

Judy, one of the residents, said, “That was such a lot of fun and there was so much laughter. I wasn’t expecting that!”
The Abbotts Barton mini-Olympics provided residents with an active, joyful, and inclusive way to celebrate the Winter Games together.

Abbotts Barton invited residents and their families to take part in a festive Gingerbread House Building and Decorating competition. Each table was supplied with the essential ingredients, and groups had an hour to construct and decorate their creations.
The session revealed a variety of approaches: Frances, assisted by her daughter Liz, meticulously decorated each panel before assembling her house, while Freda and her great-grandchildren focused on assembling and decorating together.
Entries were judged on creativity, sturdiness and overall presentation. The afternoon concluded with homemade mince pies and mulled wine, providing a chance to enjoy the festive treats alongside the judging.

Frances was awarded first place for her intricate design, complete with a picket fence, Christmas trees and a reindeer, while Freda and her family were named runners-up for their spirited effort. All participants were able to take their houses home to enjoy afterwards.
Frances said: “I really enjoyed myself this afternoon. I’ve been planning my entry for weeks!” Carole added with good humour: “I won the bake off in the summer, so I’m disappointed not to win this time. However, there’s always next year.”
The event offered a lively, hands-on way for residents and families to celebrate the season together.

Residents from Abbotts Barton, our Winchester care home, were inspired by VE Day to enjoy a nostalgic 1940s-style journey on a vintage steam train.
Scroll down to watch a special video of our day out on the Watercress Line!
A group from Abbotts Barton joined fellow passengers for a scenic ten-mile journey along the Watercress Line from Alresford to Alton. The railway was decorated with red, white, and blue bunting, and many passengers and volunteers wore period clothing to capture the spirit of the 1940s.
One of our residents, Edna ‘Ruth’ Williams, was particularly delighted to return to the Watercress Line—she used to travel this very route to school from Alresford to Winchester.
Ruth shared:

“This trip has brought back so many happy memories for me. And I remember everyone celebrating the end of the war so clearly, it was a special day to be part of.”

Back at our Worthy Road home, residents marked VE Day with a traditional tea party—a wonderful chance to reminisce and share life stories. Several had even been in Trafalgar Square on VE Day itself.
Dorothy Fendrick, who was working for social services in London at the time, said:

“I remember the happy atmosphere. There were so many people. We were all very emotional, singing and dancing in the square. It was quite a remarkable sight.”

Home Manager Dee Lovewell commented:

“Both the trip on the Watercress Line and our in-home party gave us the opportunity to do VE Day proud.”

Don’t forget to watch our video below to see the highlights from this special day!