Love is all around as Colten Care residents and staff celebrate Valentine’s

Love was in the air and heartfelt messages were exchanged as care homes across the south held festive get-togethers to mark Valentine’s Day.
All 21 of our homes in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Wiltshire joined in the fun of the annual celebration of love.

At Brook View in West Moors, Dorset, husband and wife residents Pam and Trevor Clark shared the romantic limelight with a married couple among their care team, Healthcare Assistants Shadreck and Laetitia Rushambha.

Both couples were presented with surprise gifts of flowers and chocolates during a pink-and-red-themed community Tea & Togetherness afternoon.

Dorset couple Pam and Trevor, who have been married for 58 years, lived in Ringwood and Wimborne before retiring to nearby St Ives.

Pam said they had never especially celebrated Valentine’s until they both moved to Brook View three years ago.
“We’ve made up for it now,” she added. “Everyone pushed the boat out this year and we had a very happy occasion. The dining room was decorated with traditional red roses and pink balloons. It was beautiful.”
After witnessing Trevor putting a rose between his teeth, Pam was even heard to joke with carers: “I think it’s the most romantic thing he’s ever done.”

Adding to the romance of the occasion was visiting singer Bee Chumley who performed a selection of 50s and 60s love songs.
Companion Rebecca Grimsey said: “We all shared the love at Brook View and relished the friendly community atmosphere

“To top it off, our chef Jack Wood baked and served a beautiful cake which delighted our residents and guests.”

At Amberwood House in Ferndown, the Valentine’s focus was on heartwarming connections between young and not so young as the children of team members presented roses to residents.

Each flower carried a message about love or friendship. One read: ‘Life is best when it’s got plenty of good friends and great adventures’.
Companion Kirsty Richmond Cole said: “Gifting the flowers was a small gesture but a touching way to remind our residents how loved and valued they are. The children’s presence filled the room with smiles, laughter, kindness and togetherness.”

Among Valentine’s celebrations at other homes, two resident couples at Bourne View in Poole, June and Keith Osborne and Margaret and John Taylor, were presented with flowers and chocolates during morning coffee.

At The Aldbury, a dedicated dementia care home in Poole, residents created a heart-shaped artwork adorned with written messages about love and friendship.

A ‘picnic on the love bus’ was on offer for residents at Abbey View in Sherborne courtesy of a minibus trip to the Bulbarrow Hill viewpoint overlooking the Blackmore Vale.

And there were Valentine’s-themed lunches, afternoon teas and other events at homes such as Castle View in Poundbury, Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, Kingfishers in New Milton and Whitecliffe House in Blandford.

RAF nurses give retired officer Anne a flying start to 100th birthday

A former RAF Nursing Officer enjoyed a 100th birthday surprise when three serving military nurses came to wish her well in uniform.  
Centenarian Anne Burchell was all smiles as she welcomed Laura Rutter, Pauline Ibarra and Elisa Iannidinardi to the lounge of her Lymington care home, Court Lodge.

The visit, secretly arranged by Anne’s granddaughter, provided a happy opportunity to compare the past and present RAF and was among a series of birthday activities.
“It took me completely by surprise, said Anne. “It was wonderful to spend an hour discussing the differences between nursing in the RAF today and my time sixty to seventy years ago.

“I enjoyed seeing the new uniform and how smart the ladies looked, as well as how confident they were.”
Born in Branksome, Poole, in 1925, Anne joined the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS) in 1947 after completing her nurse training at Middlesex Hospital.

She went on to spend 12 years as an RAF Nursing Officer with two years’ service in Singapore, two in Germany and six months on an aircraft carrier. She also nursed at numerous hospitals throughout Britain.

After she retired from nursing, she did voluntary work and, with husband Frederick, travelled all over the UK and across the world and followed her hobbies of tennis, bowling and gardening.

The birthday call by the serving RAF nurses was just the start of Anne’s birthday celebrations. It was followed by lunch out at The Haven restaurant in Lymington with family members who travelled from France, Scotland and London to be with her on her big day.

Companionship Team members at Court Lodge also arranged a special treat, a birthday lunch on a separate day at The Captains Club Hotel & Spa in Christchurch.

Team Leader Julia Puia said: “Anne mentioned to us how much she would love to return to The Captains Club. She used to visit the hotel regularly and have weekends away there by the river as it made her relax and she enjoyed the beautiful views.

“With this in mind we planned a birthday lunch with a few of her friends from Court Lodge. She had a wonderful time with Gweneth, June and Lesley, and had a nice walk along the river, reminiscing on her past visits and how lovely it was to be there again.”
Anne said: “The food was exceptional, just how I remember it, and that beautiful sunshine sitting in the window made my day. I thank everyone at Court Lodge for taking the time to plan it.”
Court Lodge Home Manager Rebecca Hannam added: “Anne is recognised by the Court Lodge team as being very tech savvy for a 100-year-old and keeps in touch with family using her iPad and phone.”

Lanterns and laughter herald Chinese New Year at Colten Care

Dances, decorations and delicious dishes proved the ideal start to the Year of the Snake in Chinese New Year celebrations at Colten Care.
Residents at Fernhill, our dementia care home in Ferndown near Bournemouth, welcomed a ‘visiting serpent’ in the form of dressed-up Companion Angela Thorn.

Amid smiles all round, the friendly snake toured the home to walking tambourine accompaniment from resident Robert Simpson and fellow Companion Ann Marie Knight.

At Amberwood House in Ferndown, John Ridgeway was among the diners to open a fortune cookie along with their Chinese-style lunch specially prepared by home chefs.

John was delighted when, alongside Waitress Esther Adesulu, the cookie revealed a colourful pendant which he wore straightaway.

Cookies also contained thoughtful and inspiring written messages inside such as ‘Love is the key that opens the gate to happiness’.

Residents at Amberwood House also made their own Chinese lanterns using brightly coloured paper which they hung in the dining room.

Red was chosen particularly because in traditional Chinese culture the colour is said to bring good luck and scare off the mythical monster Nian.
Mary Papworth said: “Our decorations were so colourful.”

Companion Maddee Baker said: “We enjoyed helping each other with cutting and assembling the lanterns and there was a real sense of teamwork.”
Several other of our care homes staged celebrations for Chinese New Year too.

Residents at Brook View in West Moors were treated to a display of Chinese dances as part of a ceremonial afternoon tea.

At Bourne View in Poole, there was the opportunity to make stained glass bookmarks with Chinese-inspired decorations.

Among our Hampshire care homes, St Catherines View in Winchester marked the occasion with a tai chi session and at Belmore Lodge in Lymington, residents had the chance to handle a real snake which was brought in for the occasion under expert care and guidance.

Sparkling night of champions as Colten Care celebrates team successes

Colleagues from our 21 care homes and head office are celebrating success at an in-house awards ceremony.
A glittering black-tie evening saw individual and group wins in nine categories at the Colten Champions awards reflecting all aspects of the care mix.

We honoured excellence in nursing, caring, team work, support services and other ways staff make a positive difference to residents, families and each other.

There were more than 1,000 nominations across our homes in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Wiltshire and our head office in Ringwood.

Over 400 nominations were submitted by residents and relatives.

Bincy Thomas, Senior Care Lead at Brook View in West Moors, Dorset, said she was taken by complete surprise when she heard her name read out as the winner of the Caring Excellence Award.
Bincy said: “Many people work in support of residents’ care and so I knew others deserved the award too.

“Yes, I was a finalist but I really didn’t think I would win it. It was a surprise and then after I went up, everyone was congratulating me and my fellow carers and nurses were saying ‘you deserve it, we are so lucky you are here’.
Asked for her view of the qualities that produce ‘caring excellence’, Bincy said: “Remember that everything is centred around the resident. You should always be honest and friendly to them and their relatives. I try to take care of everyone as if they were my own family. You act as a problem solver and you support your colleagues on the floor. I look at the team as my sisters and brothers.”

Also a winner, picking up the award for Resident Impact, was Ildiko Csanalosine Fuves, a waitress at Braemar Lodge in Salisbury.
“I was shaking and crying when I heard I had won,” said Ildiko. “I am really honoured and so happy. People said such beautiful things about me. I am so thankful.”
The Values award, designed to recognise an individual who exemplifies Colten’s company values of being friendly, kind, individual, reassuring and honest was won by Senior Gardener Chris Marsh.

He said he was ‘truly humbled’ to be nominated and to go on and actually win it was ‘something else entirely’.
Chris, who has worked for Colten Care for ten years, added: “When the guiding principles and values of your employer align with your own, it makes your job that much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

“Working for a company that recognises the value of outdoor spaces, and promotes the well-being that comes from gardens, social interaction and mental stimulation, makes my role one to truly treasure.

“Colten invests so much in these values, and I am proud to be part of an ambitious team that shares and develops this vision.

“At the heart of everything we do is the best cause of all: our residents. We work tirelessly to give them the best experience possible, to heal and uplift them and ensure they feel safe and valued.”
The awards ceremony took place at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel after a champagne reception and dinner. Afterwards, guests danced to live music from pop rock party band We Are Robot.

Event host was Hampshire-based Manley Hopkinson, a polar explorer and round-the-world yachtsman.
Manley said: “It was a superb evening and the energy was infectious. It was an honour to present the awards and speak to the teams. I felt humbled and inspired in equal measure.”
Colten Care residents were represented by guest of honour Mollie Speirs who travelled to Bournemouth from her care home, Kingfishers in New Milton.

For every resident or relative nomination made, Colten Care donated £10 to their respective care home’s charity of the year.

Colten Care Chief Executive Mark Aitchison and Chief Operating Officer Elaine Farrer were both present to introduce the awards.
Mark said: “Colten Champions is a brilliant way to celebrate colleagues who truly embody our values and consistently go above and beyond.

“I thank all those who put in a nomination, including so many residents and relatives, and of course congratulate all the winners, finalists and nominees.

“Their success is richly deserved and it is a privilege to work with them.”

Residents party with Mayor as Avon Reach celebrates 30th anniversary

Avon Reach has continued a summer of 30th anniversary celebrations with a cocktail party and auction in aid of its local foodbank.
The coastal-themed care home in Mudeford welcomed around 80 guests for a sparkling evening of fun in its lounge and ‘Captain’s Table’ restaurant.

They included residents, families, staff, neighbours and members of Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, All Saints Church and the local Rotary Club.

An auction of items donated by residents, community friends and businesses raised nearly £900 on the night for the home’s chosen charity, Christchurch Food Bank+.

Guest of honour was the Mayor of Christchurch, Councillor Paul Hilliard. While wearing his formal gold chain of office, he showed he was happy to share in the party mood by also sporting a bright blue and white Hawaiian shirt.
Addressing the guests, Paul said: “Over the past 30 years, Avon Reach has become fully part of the community. It is more than just a nursing home, it does a great deal of outreach, making life enjoyable for so many people. It is so engaged with the community.”
The drinks choice at the party featured a signature gin-based cocktail for the home called Avon Breeze specially created by residents at an earlier tasting afternoon.

Team members thanked Tim Lloyd, Managing Director of the nearby Captains Club Hotel and Spa, and expert mixologist Matthew Cooper, for their input to producing the drink and attending the evening.

As party guests chatted together and sampled canapés homemade by Avon Reach chefs, they were serenaded by Ringwood-based guitarist Julian Ward who performed a series of Spanish and classical pieces.

All present joined in when it came to singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Avon Reach and there was much interest when the auction began.

A range of businesses and organisations donated items such as afternoon tea experiences, paddleboard lessons, a round of golf for four, cinema tickets, a hanging basket, a cheese board and a painting by local artist Paul Dolman.

Auctioneers for the evening were Colten Care Operations Manager Peter Doyle and Avon Reach Companionship Team Member Pauline Lawrence.

Peter said: “The party was a great opportunity for people who have been, and continue to be, key to the success of the home to join together and have fun.

“There are so many ways Avon Reach engages with the community, from hosting business breakfasts, coffee clubs and Tea & Togetherness events to charity fundraising.”

Among the guests watching the auction progress were foodbank managers Tracy Blick and Sara Veal who expressed delight when the amount raised reached a total of £895.

Resident Brenda Edwards, who had the honour of cutting the 30th birthday cake, said after the party: “It was a brilliant evening, really lovely.”

The cocktail evening was the second 30th anniversary event for Avon Reach in recent weeks.

At the first, children from Somerford Primary School joined residents for an afternoon of traditional games such as Pass the Parcel, Musical Chairs, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Musical Statues.

Avon Reach was the first Colten Care home to be purpose-built by sister company Colten Developments.

A plaque on the wall records that the home was officially opened by Councillor Edward Coope, the Mayor of Christchurch in its commissioning year of 1994.

 

Care home bikers rev up for anniversary fun

Fun-loving motorbike fans at Bourne View care home didn’t need to be asked twice to sit in the saddles of some classic Lambrettas.
When retro bike group the Grumpy Grandads came to help at our Poole home Bourne View celebrate its fifth anniversary, they made sure the occasion had the feel of a 1960s Mod-era road trip.

Excited onlookers gathered to welcome the colourful, Union Jack-bearing motorcycle convoy with the parka-wearing Grandads quick to chat with interested residents and offer them the chance to climb on and feel the handlebars.

For those living in our art deco-themed care home who previously owned motorbikes, the hands-on experience brought back many happy memories.
After sitting on a bike which sported dozens of lights and mirrors, Pam Pamphilon said: “I used to have bikes in the past and it was marvellous to sit on one again.”
Fellow resident Norah Lowe said: “I didn’t want to get off. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Irene Whyment and Joan Blackshaw took their seats on a couple of bikes at the same time, prompting Joan to smile and say: “I can see us going for a ride together.”

And married couple June and Keith Osbourne, who both live at Bourne View, expressed similar joy.
June said: “We used to have bikes ourselves and we absolutely loved this visit. It was wonderful.”
As well as Bourne View residents, children from next door Langside School were invited to go outside to welcome the Grandads’ motorbike ‘cavalcade’ as it arrived along Langside Avenue.

The bikers’ call was among a host of activities Bourne View team members organised to celebrate the home’s fifth anniversary.

An open day for families, friends and community contacts featured a party with music from singing duo the Land Girls.

There was also a visit by the Mayor and Mayoress of Poole to mark the official opening of a bigger dining room and event space on the ground floor.

Building and refurbishment work has involved the merging of the home’s Charleston Lounge and Hepburn Dining Room and the installation of a new ‘snug’ corner in the bistro.

The Mayoral party were welcomed into the new space to the sounds of two songs written and performed by a residents’ choir led by our Music & Arts Partner Fiona Pritchard.

On the piano was 97-year-old Bourne View resident Myrtle Smith, a former professional pianist, chamber musician and teacher.

During the visit, the Mayor, Councillor Pete Miles, spoke with residents including 107-year-old Yvonne Glover.

The pair discussed their shared interest in Poole Harbour.

Born in Boscombe in 1916, Yvonne used to swim between the ferry and quay when she was a girl.

As well as becoming an elite swimmer and Poole’s first national swimming champion, she was a hydrographer who spent much of her career measuring water depths and checking for hazards in the harbour. She even has a harbour buoy named after her near Brownsea Island, Glover’s Buoy.

Outside his political and ceremonial roles, Cllr Miles is a restaurateur and fisherman who began his career working on the pilot boats of Poole.

In a Facebook post after the visit, the Mayor’s office wrote: “The Mayor and Mayoress had the privilege of visiting the new dining room at Bourne View care home.
“Touched by the most wonderful welcome, they enjoyed meeting the staff, residents and guests as well as a tour of the impressive facilities.

“The Mayor was particularly honoured to meet 107-year-old Yvonne Glover who has a buoy named after her in Poole Harbour.

“Having started his career in the pilot boats of Poole, the Mayor was fascinated by Yvonne’s achievements as a hydrographer with Poole Harbour Commissioners.”
Home Manager Gemma Parkin said: “We have all had such great fun celebrating our fifth anniversary with friends, family and other special guests.

“We especially thank the Mayor and Mayoress, and Rod Hall and his fellow bikers from Grumpy Grandads, for coming to see us and sharing in this very happy occasion.”

‘Happy hours’ aplenty as care homes shake and stir a world of cocktails

Fun-loving residents have been in high spirits in celebration of World Cocktail Day.
‘Happy hours’ were held at our care homes in Dorset, Hampshire and West Sussex, with drinks making and tasting sessions and the sounds of jazz adding a touch of style and time-honoured elegance to lounge get-togethers.

At Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, residents mixed some tantalising non-alcoholic ingredients in a bid to win the prestigious crown of King or Queen of the Mocktails.

Companionship Team Leader Jane Bunker said: “The laughter and stories flowed as freely as the drinks. Each mocktail served as a toast to health, friends and the skilful art of mixology.”
Home Manager Priya Joseph, Chef Brian Pearce and visitor Janet McCann from the home’s charity of the year the Brockenhurst Gateway Club had the honour of judging the best mocktail.

In the end, Queen of the Mocktails was declared to be June Farrow with her Grapefruit Surprise concoction.
June said: “I was delighted to receive such an accolade and more than happy to wear my crown. It was a delightful afternoon all round.”
At Wellington Grange in Chichester, residents received an invite to a cocktail evening in the home’s Market Cross sitting room with the opportunity to dress up if they wanted.

A choice of five cocktails was on offer including classics such as Aperol Spritz and Bloody Mary.

“It was lovely and relaxed,” said resident Deirdre Wade Smith. “We all enjoyed nice company chatting and sharing stories with each other over a cocktail or two.”

At Brook View in West Moors, residents and staff turned the in-home café into ‘Brookies Cocktail Bar’ complete with a soundtrack of jazz standards and a cocktail-themed quiz.

Chef Jack Wood ran the bar, creating and serving drinks such as London lemonade, rosemary and orange gin and refreshing mocktails.

Resident Trevor Clark dug out his dickie bow and became a dashing waiter for the occasion, helping Jack with the cocktail shaking and serving.

Companionship Team Leader Lauren Parrett said: “This was a lovely opportunity for residents to get together and enjoy each other’s company.

“We have had a few new residents join us recently so it was a perfect way to introduce them to everyone.”
Resident Paula Marels said: “What an enjoyable afternoon, Trevor was a fantastic host and the drinks were delicious.”
And fellow resident Leah Row said: “I had such a lovely afternoon with everyone. The atmosphere was great and I hope to do this again.”

Colten Care celebrates nursing strength on International Nurses Day   

Some of the UK’s oldest retired nurses have celebrated an official day honouring their profession.
Dozens of former nurses who live at our 21 homes in the south joined fellow residents and care team members to mark International Nurses Day.

Cards, gifts, cakes and good wishes were all exchanged to thank current nursing practitioners for all they do and to remember nursing from years gone by.

Nurses Day is celebrated each year on 12 May, the birthday of Florence Nightingale who earned her famous title of ‘the Lady with the Lamp’ nursing wounded soldiers in the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856.

At Avon Cliff care home in Bournemouth, 103-year-old Barbara Binding recalled her years as a children’s nurse looking at photos of herself in uniform just after qualification.

And fellow resident Betty Nelms, 96, a former TB nurse who qualified around the same time as Barbara in the 1940s, said: “I used to go door-to-door to treat people and I loved the job. My work has long finished and I’m just happy to be part of this commemoration.”

Betty’s sentiments were shared by ex-nurses Wendy Golding and Sue McPhee who live at Kingfishers in New Milton.

Wendy said: “Nurses Day is a fantastic way to celebrate the dedication and compassion that nurses bring to their work, reminding us all of the vital role they play in our community.”

Sue said: “Thank you to everyone who made the day extra special.”

All our homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex are registered to provide professional nursing care and all take part in the annual celebration of Nurses Day by presenting gifts, cards and chocolates to the in-house nursing team.

Several homes, including Abbotts Barton in Winchester, Avon Reach in Mudeford and Belmore Lodge in Lymington, organised trips out so that residents could present gifts and cards to nurses working at local GP surgeries and hospitals.

In a further example of community outreach, a party from Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, led by Home Manager Priya Joseph and Companionship Team Leader Jane Bunker, travelled to Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington with a cake specially baked for the nurses there.

Elaine Farrer, Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer and a registered nurse herself, said: “Nurses are at the very heart of our homes, giving residents and their families the reassurance of comprehensive, person-centred care from the moment they start their care journeys with us.
“Our strength in nursing is a key reason we have such consistently high ratings from independent bodies such as the public review site Carehome.co.uk and the sector regulator the Care Quality Commission. Indeed, seven of our homes are rated Outstanding by the CQC with the rest all rated Good.

“It’s a great privilege to care for so many residents who were themselves nurses in their  professional lives and who now entrust us with responsibilities for their wellbeing in later life.”

Dorset care home’s 30th birthday party lets the children play

Dedicated community care spanning 30 years has been celebrated as Avon Reach care home in Mudeford staged a lively anniversary party.
Special guests for the intergenerational occasion were fourteen children from nearby Somerford Primary School.

The fun was themed on a traditional birthday party featuring games such as pass the parcel, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey and musical statues.

Residents and guests also tucked into a 30th birthday cake and other party-style food, with the young visitors given a party bag to take home with them when they left.
Among the residents enjoying the fun was Doreen Walls who said: “It was lovely to welcome the children and join them in all the games. Everyone had a great time.”
Ruth Wildman, Home Manager of coastal-themed Avon Reach, which has top-floor views over Christchurch Bay and towards the nature sanctuary at Hengistbury Head, said: “Happy occasions such as this help us maintain our community links.

“Seeing our residents chatting and interacting with the children was such a joy. The afternoon was full of smiles.

“Intergenerational activities are so valuable as they bring out the best in everyone.”

A plaque at the entrance to Avon Reach records that the home was officially opened by Councillor Edward Coope, Mayor of Christchurch, in 1994.

The Mayoral visit was among a programme of initial community activities during the home’s commissioning period that year.

Messages of love as care home residents celebrate Valentine’s Day  

Hundreds of our care home residents found heartfelt ways to have fun on Valentine’s Day.
Our 21 Colten Care homes in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Wiltshire laid on events, activities and get-togethers to mark the annual celebration of love and romance.

At The Aldbury, a dedicated dementia care home in Poole, the residents’ garden group took the lead with an art project involving 100 pebbles.

These originally formed one of a series of installations that residents worked on to coincide with King Charles’ Coronation last year.

Several weeks ago, the group decided to repurpose the stones, paint them red and white and invite fellow residents and staff to inscribe and sign personal thoughts on them for loved ones to read when they visit the home.

Rearranged in a heart shape ready for Valentine’s Day, 70 of the stones are painted red and carry the words and signatures, with 30 coloured white and positioned around the outside.

Among the special greetings to family and friends are sentiments such as ‘Love never fails’, ‘You call it madness, I call it love’ and ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, what I wouldn’t give to have a cuddle with you!’.

On a pebble inscribed for her daughter, resident Jean Sandoe wrote: ‘I am very proud that you have accomplished your dream to become a nurse’.

Sue Miles, The Aldbury’s Companionship Team Leader, said: “We call our new artwork ‘Written from our hearts’. It took us several weeks to put it together. The garden group were discussing how we could repurpose the pebbles we had from the Coronation last year and we thought this would be a lovely idea for a Valentine’s celebration.

“Residents, staff and visitors can have a read of them whenever they are taking a stroll in the garden.”

Around 25 residents and 15 staff responded to the idea by adding messages to the stones.

Resident Valerie Sharpe who helped place the finished pebbles into the heart shape in the garden, said: “We always have good ideas.”

At Colten Care’s Bourne View in Poole, a ‘production line’ of residents and team members created 50 individual cards in the run-up to Valentine’s.

On the big day, the cards were placed on dining tables and lunch trays together with flowers and heart shaped chocolates.

Two of the home’s couples, June and Keith Osborne and Margaret and Albert Langworthy, were also treated to chocolates, tulips and special greetings to help them celebrate. June and Keith’s card featured a black and white photo from their wedding day.

Companionship Team member Julie Wathen said: “There were smiles all round as everyone enjoyed the treats.”

Among Valentine’s parties elsewhere at Colten Care, dementia care home Fernhill in Longham, Dorset, held an afternoon of ‘music, dancing, flowers, chocolate, romance and celebration’.

Heartfelt comments included one from resident Margo Johnson who said to her husband Anthony: “Thank you for loving me,’ while Dori Smith said: “I wasn’t expecting to receive a rose today.”

At Abbey View in Sherborne, couple Roy and Barbara Carne, who have been married for more than 67 years, enjoyed a romantic lunch.