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Residents captivated by Gentlemen of St. John’s 

Castle View residents were left moved and delighted following an evening with the Gentlemen of St. John’s choir
Five residents attended a performance by The Gentlemen of St. John’s at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester.

Nina Lines, Oscar Winsey, Esme Ware, Liz Thompson and Betty Hollywood joined in with the rousing musical programme and later enjoyed a glass of wine with two of the singers.

The Gentlemen of St. John’s is a septet formed of the choral and organ scholars of the world-renowned Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge.

The choir has been performing for over 40 years and its eclectic repertoire spans an incredible six centuries, from the early renaissance to modern day hits.

Our Colten companion Katja Williams, who accompanied the party said: “Nina attends St Peter’s Church and asked some of her fellow residents if they’d like to go with her to the concert. They were extremely keen.

[caption id="attachment_4769" align="alignnone" width="827"] At the request of Nina, who attends St Peters Church in Dorchester, Castle View residents attended an evening with The Gentlemen of St Johns Choir.[/caption]

“The music was hugely diverse, from “Fever” and a “A Hard Day’s Night” to the “Bare Necessities” and our residents had a fabulous time with much foot-tapping, broad smiles and applause.
“Afterwards, Hamish MacGregor and Joe Hancock, both Tenors for the choir took the time to speak to the residents during a Prosecco reception. They were all thrilled and had lots of questions for the singers.”
Esme Ware spoke of how special the evening was for her.
She said: “My late husband loved that type of music and I could feel he was with me during the performance.”
Nina Lines added: “What a delight it was to spend time with my friends and how super and talented the gentlemen are.”

Residents re-discover joy of a cycle made for…three

Residents enjoyed the wind in their hair and the thrill of a cycle ride, some for the first time in years, thanks to a new initiative in Poundbury
Residents took part in ‘Cycling Without Age,’ a global movement aimed at building intergenerational relationships through the joy of cycle trishaw rides.

Kat Williams, our Companion Team Leader at Castle View said: “Cycling Without Age’ signs up volunteers to charter these amazing trishaws around the community allowing older and less able passengers the freedom of cycling without peddling.

“The scheme was started in 2012 in Copenhagen by a man called Ole Kassow, who wanted to find a way to help his elders get back to cycling.
“It has gone on to become a success across the world and we are thrilled it has now been launched in Poundbury, where trishaws are taking people on tours around the Great Field and Poundbury Estate.”
Kat continued: “In their younger years, many of our residents loved riding bikes, some in their leisure time and others to commute to and from work.

“David Gale, Dee Bustin and June Anstey spent many years enjoying bicycles in their youth and adulthood and were only too pleased to have a ride in a trishaw, which evoked some wonderful memories of their youth.”

Resident Rosemary Hannon also enjoyed a ride.
She said: “I used to cycle everywhere when I was younger and found the experience simply exhilarating. It was wonderful to feel the freedom of cycling again.”
Resident David Gale enjoyed his ride with some VIP company – Dorchester’s new Mayor, Councillor Jane Hewitt.

David said: “It’s been a while since I was on a bike, but I really enjoyed it and it was especially nice to be accompanied by the Mayor.”

‘Talented and amazing’ mouth artist inspires residents

A prominent disabled artist who paints with his mouth has amazed our residents as they witnessed his skills and technique close up
Rob Trent spent an afternoon demonstrating his artistry to produce a picture of a robin on the branch of a tree in winter.

Rob was born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting the joints and muscular development.

He developed his talent in art, particularly landscapes and nature scenes, after a home tutor encouraged him to paint by holding the brush in his mouth.

Joining him were residents with an interest in art including Elizabeth Thompson and historian and former school master George Clarke, who continues to paint despite his degenerative eyesight.
George said: “I was particularly interested to see how Rob paints and hear how he has overcome the challenges he has had. He has clear mastery in using his mouth to paint.”
Elizabeth said: “It was wonderful to have Rob visit our home. It was amazing to watch him put his skills into action before our eyes.

“I only came to painting later in life, at the age of 80, but I could appreciate seeing an artist at work.”

Both George and Elizabeth are now looking forward to trying mouth painting for themselves at a forthcoming arts and crafts session.

“You never know,” said Elizabeth, “It could be a hidden talent about to unfold and it will certainly be a fun activity to try.”

Rob, who is from Dorchester and now lives in Hedge End near Southampton, is a member of the disability arts group Mouth & Foot Painting Artists (MFPA).

One of his paintings, of the Houses of Parliament, was chosen as an MFPA Christmas card image.

[caption id="attachment_4797" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rob Trent at work on his painting during the visit to Castle View [/caption]

Alongside his art, Rob excelled at academic subjects, gained a degree in information science and was a senior manager at national mapping agency Ordnance Survey before taking early retirement in 2018.

He has served as a trustee of the charity Disability Rights UK and is managing director of AccessAdvisr, a web platform for and by disabled people keen to improve accessibility in the built environment.

He is also a trustee of Flat Spaces, a Hampshire disability holiday provider.
Reflecting on his visit to Castle View, Rob said: “I was delighted to be asked to come and meet the residents.
“It was an ideal opportunity to talk about how much I have loved painting since I was a child and how the MFPA have given me the freedom to develop as an artist.
“I found Castle View to be a lovely place, so warm and engaging and with everyone there very happy. I had a great time and was well looked after.”
Katja Williams, our Companionship Team Leader, said: “Rob’s visit left all who attended feeling inspired. He is a very talented man.”

Prince’s walkabout delights our residents

It’s not every day the heir to the throne is in the neighbourhood, so our team members and residents made the most of their chance
The Prince of Wales was opening a new playpark in his Duchy of Cornwall community at Poundbury, just across the road from our home.

Our Companionship Team leader Katja Williams was having her lunch when she heard from a resident’s son that the Royal visit was taking place.

She, colleague Sue Goodwin and several residents grabbed a clutch of Union Jacks and went over to view proceedings.

Katja then found herself in a prime spot for her very own Royal audience, with the Prince – in grey suit, blue tie and sunglasses – taking time to speak with her and ask about Castle View.

Katja said: “I stepped forward and as I did he reached out and shook my hand. I told him that we were from Castle View and he said, ‘Oh yes, I have been there before, a few years ago’.

“He was genuinely interested in the residents, asking how we all were. He said the trees outside our home were looking beautiful. He had apparently walked round the outside taking them all in. Our residents were thrilled to see him.”
Asked how she felt afterwards, Katja said: “I couldn’t believe it actually happened. We were speaking just the two of us for a couple of minutes. I have no formal training in what makes a Royal greeting but he was very engaged and made it easy.”
Residents spoke of their delight at seeing the Prince. Freda Cruickshank said: “It was excellent that he came and such a special moment for all the children who may have met him at the play park.”

And for Jan Saunders, it brought back memories of meeting the Prince many years ago when he was visiting a friend’s farm near Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort south of Dorchester.

Jan said: “I remember we had coffee. We were all in a group and spoke to him for over an hour. I sat on a carpet while other chairs where occupied. He was terribly shy. He was only 24 years old at the time.”

The last time the Prince visited Castle View, was in 2014. He also performed our home’s official opening in 2002.

We team up with local school to send aid to Ukraine  

Residents have donated mother and baby supplies to be taken to stricken families in Ukraine
We decided to get involved in the relief efforts within days of the invasion of Ukraine.

Residents including Pat Hills, Jill Kember and Freda Cruickshank donated money which was used by staff to buy baby supplies such as nappies and female sanitaryware.

Staff also operated a fundraising ‘sweetie trolley’ to add to the funds.

Staff then took the supplies to The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester, which is working with the Bournemouth-based food store, Food Plus in Boscombe to take the much-needed aid into the stricken country.

Our Colten Companion, Katya Williams, explained: “As soon as the invasion of Ukraine happened, our residents said they wanted to help the people there in any way they could. They knew women with babies would be finding it very hard to access supplies and so they decided all their donations would be used to buy goods around their particular needs.
“In no time at all we had amassed a large supply of nappies, nappy cream, baby wipes, etc. We then learned that Gary Spracklen, the fantastic headteacher of The Prince of Wales School had opened a collection point at the school and we were able to go along and hand over our own supplies, knowing they would get to the Ukraine and the people who need it.”
Residents Freda and Jill accompanied Katya to the school for the handover.
Freda said: “It makes us so grateful to be able to help the people of Ukraine in some way and we are also very grateful to Gary and his wonderful school who are working so hard to make sure the aid gets through.”
Gary Spracklen said: “It was very special to receive a donation from the residents at Castle View. Speaking with them further confirmed to me the strength of feeling felt across our whole community and the desire from all, no matter what their age, background or religion, to stand with Ukraine. The items donated will go to those most in need and further strengthen our resolve at this time.”

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