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All aboard! Residents take rail journey back in time

Three rail enthusiasts spent an afternoon reliving train journeys of days gone-by at a former station in the New Forest
Anthony Coombes, Peter Clark and Edward Stone, enjoyed a visit to the Old Station Tea Rooms in Holmsley, Hampshire.

Holmsley Station House was opened in 1874 and was a vital line for Dorset at the time.

In the late 1800s, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, Prince Edward, frequently disembarked at Holmsley with his then mistress, Lillie Langtry, on the way to their love nest in Bournemouth.

In 1899, Robert Louis Stephenson, who was a local resident, cast Holmsley Station as ‘Browndean’ the fictional station in his novel ‘The Wrong Box’.

During World War 2, the station played an instrumental part of the troop and freight deployment to the aerodrome at Holmsley South. And in May 1944, with preparations for the D-Day landings underway, Eisenhower and senior government officials were frequently seen there.

Sadly, Holmsley was one of 2200 casualties of the infamous ‘Beeching Cuts’ and closed for good in 1964. But it still retains some fascinating memorabilia of times-gone-by and this was greatly enjoyed by Anthony, Peter and Edward.
Our Colten Companion Justin Corder explained: “All of the gentlemen have had an interest in trains throughout their lives and were very keen to visit Holmsley.
“We had some pictures taken with the old signal post and a crossing sign in the sunshine and then we visited the Tea Rooms for refreshments and a lively discussion about the different railways they had visited in their life in Yorkshire and Devon to name a few.

[caption id="attachment_5214" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Edward ‘Ted’ Stone, a resident at Colten Care’s Canford Chase case home visited the Holmsley Station House[/caption]

“Before we left, the gents also posed with some of the British Rail hats on show, which they greatly enjoyed.”
Edward ‘Ted’ Stone said: “I fell in love with trains as a child, going with my Dad to see the steam engines.
“I really enjoyed the trip to Holmsley, including seeing the model train in the entrance and the luggage on display that would be have been found on the good old British Rail trains.”

Former Marine Commando awarded Korean Ambassador of Peace medal

Resident and former Royal Marine Commando was left speechless and brimming with pride after receiving the Republic of Korea Ambassador For Peace Medal
Our resident Captain Ronald ‘Ron’ Moyse, 94, was presented with the medal by Major General Royal Marines, Andrew Keeling CB, CBE, in front of his family, our staff, other former veterans and members of the Royal Marines Association.

The esteemed award is given by the Republic of Korea to proclaim that Ron is recognised as an “Ambassador For Peace”.

The proclamation that accompanies the medal and which was read out by Major General Keeling states: “It is a great honour and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.

“We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping us re-establish our free nation. In grateful recognition of your dedicated contributions, it is our privilege to proclaim you an “Ambassador for Peace”  with every good wish of the people of the Republic of Korea.

“Let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come.”

[caption id="attachment_5173" align="alignnone" width="819"] Captain Ronald “Ron” Moyse, Royal Marines (retired) with his Korean War medal award.[/caption]

Ron joined the Royal Marines in 1943 aged just 14 years and nine months, beginning his military career as a junior drummer and bugler.

He served in 41 Commando, a unit attached to the US Marine Corps during the Korean War.

The combined force saw intense action during the Chosin Reservoir campaign, fighting off Chinese forces that outnumbered them four-to-one. Almost half of Ron’s unit were killed, wounded or captured.

Ron was most pleased to have held the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major and among his later roles away from military action was that of physical training instructor.

[caption id="attachment_5174" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ronald Moyse’s grand-daughter, pictured here with him, Catherine Moyse (a nurse at Colten Care), reads the citation to him after the presentation.[/caption]

When he joined, Ron continued a family connection with the Royal Marines going back several generations to 1842. 

His son Rob is also a former Royal Marine with 25 years’ service and his other son Graham is a Royal Navy doctor who also served with the Marines.

In recent years, the South Korean government produced framed certificates of thanks for all surviving members of the war, including Ron.

Vicky Day, our Companion said: “Ron is a lovely, unassuming man of very few words. But it was easy to see he was overwhelmed to receive the medal. He gave a wonderful smile when it was handed to him and afterwards he kept turning it over in his hands and reading the inscription.
“I asked him how he felt to receive it and he said: “I can’t believe it.”
“He has told many of us how honoured he feels to have served and his medal is now taking pride of place in his room.”

Forces’ sweetheart charms our residents with birthday reply

Iconic wartime singer Dame Vera Lynn has surprised and delighted our residents with her personal response to a card they made and sent for her 103rd birthday
As lockdown approached in mid-March, staff and residents decided to cheer themselves up by decorating a birthday card with a heartfelt greeting and a montage of photos showing them holding yellow flowers.

“It was a rather wet and grey afternoon and everyone was naturally apprehensive about lockdown,” recalled our Companionship Team Leader Julie Wathen. “Vera Lynn had just put out a public message, as her birthday was a couple of days later, encouraging everyone in Britain to ‘keep smiling through’, as she’d sung in the lyrics of We’ll Meet Again at the start of the Second World War.
“We decided to create a card for her as a fun activity to cheer us all up. I felt she was a great role model again for these troubled times and one our residents could really relate to. Her message about smiling seemed especially appropriate for us to rally behind.”
The greeting in the card wished Vera a very happy birthday, stating: ‘Here at Canford Chase, you will be pleased to know we are still smiling through.’

Julie researched a contact address in East Sussex for Vera Lynn and posted the card that day, not expecting a reply.

Three months on, all at the home were thrilled to receive a letter from the famous lady herself, typed and sent by a personal assistant, and addressed to ‘all the residents at Canford Chase’.

It read: “Thank you so much for the beautiful handmade birthday card, which took pride of place on my mantelpiece.
“It was very special to see your happy faces and to know that you ‘keep smiling through’.
“In these difficult times, it’s so important to smile and the beautiful yellow flowers in your photos are bright and cheery.

[caption id="attachment_5018" align="alignnone" width="768"] Jean with Vera Lynn’s reply[/caption]

“I send you all my very best wishes and thank you again for taking the trouble to produce such a very special birthday card.”

Resident Doris Storey, who celebrated her 101st birthday in lockdown just after Dame Vera became 103, said: “It was so lovely that we did the card and photoshoot, and that Vera Lynn replied. She would obviously have had lots of cards.”

When Julie reminded Doris that her birthday and Vera’s were around the same time, she laughed and said: “Not bad for a couple of old ones.”

In a TV broadcast for the recent 75th anniversary of VE Day, Vera Lynn said that while people may be apart due to lockdown measures ‘hope remains even in the most difficult of times’.

High-flying circus duo make resident’s wish come true   

We brought the circus directly into our garden to help make a wish come true for a resident
Hilary Timson told our staff of her long-held desire to see a show at the big top again.

Our Companionship Team Leader Vicky Day researched the options, saying: “We looked at various ways we could make it happen but we couldn’t immediately find a circus taking place locally that would be accessible for Hilary, so we thought we’d bring circus artists to visit her instead.”

Vicky and colleagues found out about the Poole-based aerial hoop class Secret Circus.

Two instructors there, Chloe Bradwell and Gemma Clark-Nation, a teacher of Dance at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne, were only too pleased to come along and show off their skills at Canford Chase.

The pair performed a show using hoops that proved a real hit with onlookers gathered in the garden.

[caption id="attachment_5012" align="alignnone" width="701"] Canford Chase resident Hilary Timson, with visiting aerial hoop performers Chloe Bradwell, top, and Gemma Clark-Nation.[/caption]

Hilary said: “It brought back lots of very happy memories of going to the circus with my children.”

To increase interaction for Hilary and the other residents, Chloe and Gemma handed out flash cards detailing specific rolls and spins that the audience could hold up to guide and direct their next moves.
Vicky said: “Everyone had a brilliant time and really enjoyed watching Chloe and Gemma. They put on a beautiful display, performed with skill and finesse, that really wowed residents, especially our lovely Hilary.
“We had great fun with the flashcards, and we sang and danced along with the show as our two wonderful artists performed.”

Vicky added: “Having seen the show by Chloe and Gemma, a number of residents have told us they want them back to perform at other events and celebrations so hopefully we will see them again.”

Our homes put the icing on the cake for Macmillan

Our homes are huge supporters of the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning and this year is no exception, with performances, quizzes, music – and more mysterious golden cupcakes – than ever
All our homes across the region raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event, which this year takes place on Friday September 30.

Here residents iced cakes in preparation for an afternoon tea party with games such as How many Sweets in the Jar? and Name the Animal.

Resident Barbara Rivette, a former nurse from Essex, was happy to get involved.
She said: “As a nurse I would sit with cancer patients during the night. I was also a Marie Curie nurse for a period.

“It’s wonderful to be part of the Macmillan Coffee Morning events as they do so much to help cancer patients and their families and also fund cancer nurses.”
At Outstanding rated Kingfishers in New Milton residents are holding a cake sale and enjoying music by visiting performer Retro Rita.

While at Outstanding rated Amberwood House in Ferndown, companions and residents have been getting crafty before the coffee morning creating banners and bunting with messages to loved ones who need support, to those they have lost and to the Macmillan nurses.

Amberwood House is also inviting family and friends of residents and members of the local community in for a coffee afternoon in the garden. Residents have been baking cakes for the occasion and entertainer Nigel Revill will play a concert.

Over at The Aldbury in Poole residents are having a coffee morning with a vinyl music singalong, a staff mufti day and a quiz. At Avon Cliff in Bournemouth there is a cake sale. And at Bourne View in Poole they are inviting members of their regular customer support advisors’ breakfast meeting to join in their coffee morning.

As with all Colten homes a golden cupcake is also being hidden somewhere amongst the sweet treats, with its lucky finder winning a special prize.

Outstanding rated Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst and Belmore Lodge in Lymington have really raised the bar this year. The two homes have been working with Colten Care’s Music & Arts Partner Fiona Pritchard for over a month on a hilarious fundraising show.

Being performed in the garden at Woodpeckers, residents and staff are entertaining each other with jokes, short stories, dancing and singing. Also attending are members of Brockenhurst & Sway Friday Club, which offers friendship for local people who would like some company. Cakes are also being sold for Macmillan after the performance.

Elaine Farrer, Chief Operating Officer for Colten Care, said: “The Macmillan Coffee Morning has become a much-loved part of the annual events calendar here at Colten as it centres on three of our favourite things: welcoming our loved ones and the local community into our homes, having fun raising money for a great cause – and eating delicious cakes!”

Birthday bugle call delights ex-Royal Marine Ron, 93

A former commando enjoyed a 93rd birthday surprise thanks to some clever, covert manoeuvres by his family, our staff and the Royal Marines Association
Ron Moyse said he was ‘absolutely flabbergasted’ to witness a ‘mess beating’ performed in his honour by five musicians from the Royal Marines along with a visit from two servicemen he fought alongside in the Korean War 71 years ago.

Ahead of the birthday, close co-operation on keeping the arrangements a secret took place between the Association, Ron’s family and our home.

On the day, Ron said he suspected ‘something was happening’ when his son Rob, himself a former Royal Marine with 25 years’ service, arrived in uniform and there was talk of Ron being invited to go into the garden.

But Ron quickly entered into the spirit of the occasion, asking for his beret and medals, and saying he would be delighted to be taken outside.

Unbeknown to him, five bandsmen had arrived and, temporarily stationed in the home’s summerhouse at the end of the garden, changed into their uniforms until the order came that Ron was in position and it was time to play.

The five then stepped out onto the lawn and in full ceremonial regalia saluted Ron on drums and bugles watched by a gathering crowd of Association members, residents and staff, and other well-wishers.

Among the visitors were former Royal Marines Jack Edmunds and Cyril Blackman who served with Ron in 41 Commando, a unit attached to the US Marine Corps during the Korean War.

The combined force saw intense action during the Chosin Reservoir campaign, fighting off Chinese forces that outnumbered them four-to-one. Almost half of Ron’s unit were killed, wounded or captured.

The unit’s contribution was recently recognised by the South Korean government producing framed certificates of thanks available to all surviving members.

[caption id="attachment_5027" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ron Moyse celebrated his 93rd birthday with a display from his old marine bigrade.[/caption]

Ron, Jack and Cyril were proud to show off their certificates in Korean script during the birthday visit.

Ron joined the Royal Marines in 1943 aged just 14 years and nine months, beginning his military career as a junior drummer and bugler just like the bandsmen who performed for him on his birthday.

He was most pleased to have held the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major and among his later roles away from military action was that of physical training instructor.

When he joined, Ron continued a family connection with the Royal Marines going back several generations to 1842.
Reflecting on his birthday, Ron said: “It was a complete surprise, I was absolutely flabbergasted to see all my old friends especially those I served with in Korea. I realised something was happening, but I had no idea it was anything on that scale. When I watched the bandsmen play I thought to myself, ‘That was me at 14’. It was such a happy day.”
In a thank-you note to the home, Ron’s son Graham, a Royal Navy doctor who also served with the Marines, said: “It really did cheer up my father, an upstanding man and a gallant Royal Marine.”

Canford Chase Companionship Team Leader Julie Wathen said: “We were privileged and delighted to help Ron and family celebrate his 93rd birthday. It was a truly special day and a great spectacle for everyone to enjoy. We thank the Royal Marines Association, especially their representative Rod Playford, and everyone else who helped make it happen.”

Ex-BSO leader Brendan enjoys ‘great pleasure’ of care home concert   

It’s not every day you have the chance to see and hear professional orchestral players performing live in your own garden
But that’s exactly what residents here at Canford Chase were able to do thanks to a visit by musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

And for the performers, there was added incentive to shine as the audience of residents included Brendan O’Brien, a former BSO leader and principal violinist who spent 29 years with the orchestra until his retirement in 2011.

French horn and piano player Kevin Pritchard and violinist Jennifer Curiel delighted the spectators with a varied, one-hour set that featured pieces by Puccini, Gershwin, Scott Joplin and Debussy.

There were tunes from musicals including Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music and even a classical take on Abba’s Thank You for the Music.

The afternoon concert took place with performers and audience seated in separate, suitably distanced gazebos.

Team members expressed thanks to neighbouring builders who downed tools for the duration to ensure there was no noise disturbance.

In addition, the timing was perfect as planned maintenance work inside the home meant power was briefly shut off but with residents gathered in the garden to hear the music, no-one was affected.

Brendan, who was married to the Irish violinist Anita Dunkerley, was first appointed leader of the BSO in 1968.

He said: “When I started with them, they were celebrating their 75th year and it was a wonderful season.

“David Oistrakh, one of the greatest violinists ever, played Shostakovich’s violin concerto and Rostropovich the cellist also played. It was a huge honour for me to be celebrating that wonderful time with them.
“Now, to be here as an old man, living in this nursing home which I like very much, it was a great pleasure for me to meet some of the present-day members of the orchestra and enjoy their playing. It would be great to enjoy a repeat of the experience.”
Our Companionship Team Leader Julie Wathen said: “The musicians wove a magical spell over our garden, with 17 residents watching the performance in hushed silence, their faces a picture of peace and contentment. There was complete stillness as everyone listened in awe to the beautiful music.
“There was obvious pride in Brendan as he spoke with Jenni and Kevin afterwards and I overheard Edna, another of our residents, say to the musicians that she found the performance ‘absolutely charming’.
“With our power briefly off for maintenance work, it could have been quite chaotic for the residents, but the garden became an oasis of peace for them. Thank you BSO.”

In a note of thanks to Canford Chase afterwards, Kevin praised the ‘generosity of staff for providing lunch and refreshments and being attentive throughout’.

Kevin and Jennifer were accompanied on their visit by organiser Ben Jennings, the BSO’s Participate Programme Manager.

The concert was part of a ‘tour’ being delivered with the generous support of Tapper Funeral Service.

Throughout the pandemic, BSO musicians have engaged with all ages through live music-making workshops and performances.

Symphonic performances by the orchestra were also livestreamed for government ministers attending the recent G7 summit in Cornwall.

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