‘Oompa loompas’ bring sweet surprise to The Aldbury dementia care home in Poole

Book lovers at The Aldbury were all smiles as they welcomed a fun visit by seven ‘oompa loompas’ from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Staff, relatives and residents at The Aldbury dressed up as members of the classic story’s diminutive workforce and went around the home spreading laughter, sweets and chocolates.

They were joined by a resident’s husband, Stephen Selway, in the role of eccentric chocolatier and entrepreneur Willy Wonka.

And one resident, Pip Smith, posed as Violet Beauregarde, the chewing gum-obsessed girl who, after she can’t resist eating a ‘three-course gum meal’ turns blue and inflates into a giant blueberry.

As the colourful array of characters toured the home, one resident was heard to ask: “Are you multiplying?”.

Afterwards, resident Colin Palmer said: “It was just so funny to see.”

Home Manager Martin Corrigan, himself an oompa loompa on the trip round, said: “We have many book lovers here at The Aldbury.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a favourite as residents used to read it to their children and grandchildren.”

In true Wonka style, the oompa loompas’ visit was followed by an afternoon tea that featured marshmallows and raspberries dipped in a chocolate fountain.

The fun, inspired by the recent World Book Day, included a lucky dip and golden ticket with £45 raised for residents’ charity PramaLife.

Among other literary-themed goings-on at Colten Care homes in the south, team members at Court Lodge in Lymington arranged for resident and avid reader Eileen Drake to revisit her local library.

She spent an afternoon flicking through the pages of various books before deciding on a handful that stood out from different genres which she borrowed and took back to Court Lodge.

Eileen said: “It’s been so long since I’ve visited the library, and I am really happy to have come back. It’s just as lovely as I remember it to be.”

Companionship Team Member Rachel Avetoom said: “There were a group of children singing nursery rhymes at the library, all in costumes for World Book Day. It was heartwarming to see Eileen smiling and enjoying the afternoon being somewhere she loves, with other people from the community. It was a perfect outing for Eileen and we will be sure to visit again.”