This weekend as the nation celebrated the Coronation we hosted indoor street parties, afternoon teas and singers in honour of the new King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Each of our homes celebrated in their own unique way, ensuring residents could share in the moment in history.
Goodwins Hall Care Home, in King’s Lynn, hosted a BBQ for residents and guests.
Among those celebrating was Royal fan Gloria Waite, who moved into Goodwins Hall last week.
Gloria shared her memories of the Royals with her fellow residents during the weekend of celebrations.
Gloria and late husband ‘Dickie’ originally hailed from the New Forest but moved to King’s Lynn when he was looking for a new work challenge.
“We had no idea when we came up here in 1959 that he would be working for the Royals. He was an architect and someone rang up one day asking him to help solve an issue with one of their farms, and then he went on to design the Sandringham Visitor Centre,” she said proudly.
“He did a lot of work for the Royals.
“We were invited to a cocktail party at Sandringham for friends and neighbours of the Royals, it was a real privilege.
“I met the Late Queen, Prince Charles, as he was then, and the late Duke of Edinburgh. I didn’t want to talk to the Queen so I walked the opposite way and bumped into the Duke of Edinburgh. He was a lovely man, so good looking and refined. He was very friendly.”
Gloria, 96, watched the Coronation ceremony with her son.
At Ashlynn Grange in Peterborough there were Royal cakes prepared by the kitchen team, and a party vibe across all four communities, including the newly-refurbished Milton Lodge.
Aria Court, in the very regal Coronation Close in March, had four days of festivities starting on Friday with a craft session which was filmed for Sky News.
The decorations the residents had made were then strung up in the cafe ready for Saturday’s party. The sound of bells rang through the communities on Sunday as residents took part in Ring for the King and on Monday they reminisced about Royal celebrations in a session designed to support those living with dementia.
A traditional street party was planned at Avocet Court in Suffolk but in true British style the rain intercepted play so they moved it to the cafe area. The whole room was awash with red, white and blue and teams entertained residents and guests.
They were flying the flag At Amberley Hall, in King’s Lynn, with a huge party in the cafe area attended by many of the residents while the ceremony was screened in all lounges for those wanting to celebrate in a more intimate environment.
