We have been having croquet games on the lawn during the lovely weather which has been great fun for both those playing and the spectators. This brings back memories for residents who played it when they were younger and is really enjoyed by care staff who had never played before.

We also have had a fund raising day for the roof fund for Grange Methodist Church. The members of Church give us such support that we felt we wanted to give something back.

Our residents bring many talents with them into the Home and one of our residents, Gwen Ash, has written a book called Ninety Nine Not Out in which she recalls events from her century. Copies have just arrived from the printers so our picture is hot of the press! We have a display in the entrance where we are selling them so here Gwen sitting by them.

And here is a recently written, beautiful and poignant poem by Anne Pounds:

Autumn

Thoughts on an autumn of life

 

The autumn leaf will in the end fade and perish,

The tree will remain,

So the tree will go on, for many years

Producing decades, and even centuries of leaves.

It is the same for the human race.

But what about each individual?

We like the leaves will fade and die,

But the human race, we hope will go on.

 

What is it like to be a fading leaf?

I am so aware now of my failing powers,

Especially my loss of memory

This feels very hard for me...

I am losing my grip like a leaf,

Losing my abilities,

Just hanging on,

Forgetting much of the past,

Forgetting what people say to me,

Forgetting where I am and where I should be,

Lost and rootless and powerless.

 

But I am not a leaf

I am a human being,

And will not rebuke myself for my grief,

But will try not to wallow in it.

I will think of myself

As a tree, rather than a leaf,

As one who has to let things go.

 

Anne Pounds    Westerley, Grange-Over-Sands.