LIME TREE VILLAGE
FEBRUARY 2010 UPDATE
Dinner for 70?
So much for a romantic meal for two! Here at Lime Tree Village we abandoned the idea of lovey-dovey two-somes enjoying dinner on Valentine’s Day and instead staged a three course meal – for 70 – in our restaurant.
And we followed our ‘not very romantic but lots of fun’ meal with dancing to a live band.
Laughter really is the best medicine
What better way to cheer things up on a miserable February than by injecting some laughter into the village. Our guest speaker David Howe has us all giggling during this talk ‘Laughter is the best medicine’.
Poetic inspiration
Our resident Shirley Roberts was inspired to put pen to paper by the view from the lounge windows of her apartment at Lime Tree Village. This is her poem which she called Peace.
Peace
by Shirley Roberts
Heavy curtains splashed with peony blossoms
Frame the scene
Through the glass the stage is set
Willow trees trail delicate fingers
Across the lake.
A squirrel skips with silent feet
To pass my view
Pausing briefly to scratch the soil
For a nut he may have left
In early Spring.
A family of moorhens
Busily pick about with
Pointed beaks
Moving with hurried steps
To stop then on my patio stones
And peer into my room.
The sun has travelled fitfully
Across the sky
Leaving a golden path
To touch the lake
Until the night falls
And lamps are lit
To shine on through the dark
Of the village.
JANUARY 2010 UPDATE
Happy New Year from Lime Tree Village
The new year got off to a wonderfully relaxing staff with residents sitting back and enjoying a January 1st brunch cooked by our village manager John Hall and maintenance supervisor Michael Bayliss – and their wives.
About 60 of us took advantage of the Halls’ and Bayliss’ cooking skills and very impressed we were too. In fact, we were so impressed we did suggest it was something they might like to repeat on a regular basis – we’re not entirely sure they agreed!
Whale of a time
Wildlife photographer Simon Coates is presenting a talk, film and photos at the village called ‘Whales Tale’ later this month. Wildlife photographers always have incredible stories to tell about the patience, time and adventures they go through to capture amazing footage of animals, fish and insects so we’re looking forward very much to Simon’s presentation.
Steel band
Ocho Rios are a local steel band who have played here on several occasions. No one who hears them can fail to smile – steel band music just sounds happy!
They came again in the middle of the month and put their own spin on some old and new favourites as well as sharing some traditional Caribbean tunes – wonderful!
DECEMBER 2009 UPDATE
Charity benefits
Here at Lime Tree Village we have long been supporters of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. So we are very much looking forward to welcoming a representative from there to receive a cheque from us next week.
Recently, the last properties at Lime Tree Village have been sold so there was no longer any need for the show home or the sales and marketing suite which has been here right from the start.
So, the Lime Tree Village Partnership which developed the village sold the furniture and bits and bobs from both.
Some of the items were bought by residents which means they’ll be staying in the village which is nice! The left over bits were given to the local Sue Ryder Shop.
And the sale raised a brilliant £3,100 which the Partnership has donated to the Air Ambulance – and that’s the cheque they’ll be presented with next week.
Gala dinner
No one can ever accuse us of not getting excited about a party. Our Gala dinner – to be held this weekend – was fully booked within two days!
The ladies are using it as an excuse to put on their posh frocks and get their hair done so we are expecting it to be a glittering event.
Dinner will be followed by dancing in our function room which has been beautifully decked out so it should be a great start to the Christmas season.
Village Manager turns waiter
Our village manager John Hall found himself serving up mulled wine and mince pies at this year’s first Christmas concert.
John was helped by our grounds supervisor as the Woodland Singers sang a range of traditional and new Christmas songs.
It’s all in the presentation
Our photography and computer clubs are joining forces to do a little demonstration on presenting and mounting images. The idea is to give those in the village who have never tried it a taste for what they can achieve.
With two weeks still to go until Christmas they may even give producing cards or presents a try!
NOVEMBER 2009 UPDATE
Resident’s design in print
With Christmas fast approaching, we entered into the festive spirit, taking part in Retirement Villages’ ‘design a Christmas card’ competition.
Keith Woolley’s ‘Flower Arrangement’ design (click picture to enlarge) was chosen as a runner up, with Dorothy Green-Armytage, John Hughes and Daphne Harben also taking part.
Keith’s work is one of seven runner-up designs from across the villages appearing on the reverse of the 2,000 Christmas cards, available for suppliers, residents, their families and friends. Keith receives a box of chocolates to mark his efforts.
Strutting their stuff
Our latest fashion show, featuring clothes from Wanda’s Fashion in Dunchurch was a success. Fashion shows go down well here at Lime Tree Village – it seems to be an excuse for the ladies to get together, not that they need one!
Christmas fun
Christmas and New Year will give the ladies the perfect opportunity to wear their new clothes. We have two balls in December – one which we call our Winter Ball and the other on New Year’s Eve, which is always the party night of the year.
We’ll be wearing an awful lot more on Carol Singing Evening.
An intrepid bunch of villagers will be wrapping up warm and heading out round Lime Tree Village to sing for their friends and neighbours in aid of charity. We expect a few tales to tell from that event!
An invitation to the Palace
Isn’t this a gorgeous picture? The tall girl second from right is our very own Bill Baker who was in the Land Army during the war.
Her involvement earned her an invitation to meet the Queen recently, something she was very proud to do.
OCTOBER 2009 UPDATE
Coffee morning success
We were delighted to raise almost £700 at our Macmillan Coffee Morning. It’s a great cause and loads of people turned out to support it.
We didn’t stop at serving cups of coffee.
We held a tombola, raffles and a guess the weight of the cake competition – which, incidentally, was won by our Village Manager John Hall!
Hallowe’en Ball
Dressing up for Hallowe’en isn’t just for the children. And us adults get much more mile-age out of the jokes to be had on October 31st about witches, masks and broomsticks! Our Hallowe’en Ball, held in the function room in Cawston House, is set to be a bewitching evening – see what we mean about the jokes.
There’ll be a suitably ghoulish meal cooked up by our very own Lime Tree Village chef and lots of talk of pumpkins and things that go bump in the night.
If the photos aren’t too scary we might even share them next time.
On the catwalk
The Lime Tree ladies were enthralled by a fashion show held earlier this month. There was a beautiful array of clothes on show sparking lots of ‘that would be lovely for the Christmas party’ type comments.
Sporting chance
We’re a sporting lot here at Lime Tree Village and we very much enjoyed showing off our prowess on the pitch at our annual Sports Events Final.
The competition was stiff though friendly with old scores settled, some emerging talent discovered and some predictable wins for those who’d put in the practice!
The winners were:
Bowls – Patrick Drennan and David Sanderson (pictured)
Croquet – Patrick Drennan and Jo Masters
Putting – Mike Cole and David Armitage
Boules – David Sanderson
The prize-giving by Residents’ Association Social Secretary Pat Beasley was followed by a meal in the restaurant – offering the winners a chance to lap up the praise and throw out the challenge for next year’s contest!
SEPTEMBER 2009 UPDATE
Lime Tree Walk resurfaced
The tree-lined walk from Lime Tree Village through to neighbouring Bilton has always been popular. Lots of us use it to stroll through to Bilton to use the services there – the Post Office, shops, hairdressers, that kind of thing. But it’s always been a little difficult to negotiate – especially when it’s been wet or icy.
Now the Lime Tree Village Partnership which developed
Lime Tree Village has refurbished Lime Tree Walk for us with a brand new surface which will be much easier to use in all weathers.
As residents, we did our bit, putting money into the pot to buy more than 8,000 bulbs which are going to be planted over the coming weeks. They’ll add some wonderful colour to the verges of the 300 yard walk which is bordered by the Lime Trees that gave our village its name.
We were delighted to welcome Retirement Villages Ltd’s Chairman Nigel Welby to the village to perform the official opening ceremony.
AUGUST 2009 UPDATE
Lime Tree Village Flower Arrangement Group Competition
By Jill Porter
The Flower Group staged its very first competition at the end of July with members and non-members taking part. The Flower Group was formed some two years ago meeting approximately once a month. Various topics are explored from traditional to contemporary styles and the approaches needed to aid successful work.
Some tuition is given if requested and plenty of discussion! Special attention is paid to the limited resources of members because of downsizing, lack of readily available plant material, limited containers and accessories and lack of space. Members are also on hand to help with flowers for special functions and events held in Cawston House.
Fifteen competitors bravely submitted their exhibits after a little ‘gentle persuasion’ -most for the very first time. The class title ‘Summer Time’ proved popular especially as there were no rules and regulations. Any material could be used including fresh, dried, artificial or any combination. Judging was by popular vote with a small charge for voting slips. There was a huge response from Village residents who showed keen interest.
Staging took place on the Friday morning with the room open all of the weekend culminating in the afternoon tea on Sunday when the prizes were presented. The Group are delighted that as a result money has been raised towards new Christmas decorations!
‘Cotton Street’ after L.S. Lowry
By Ruth Burdett
I started working on this tapestry on May 2003 and completed it on May 2009, exactly six years from the first stitch to the last. There were times when I wondered if I would even complete it and on several occasions it remained untouched for months. So there was a sense of relief and pleasure when the canvas was finally ready for framing.
The tapestry consists of at least eight different stitches, including Hungarian, brick, knitting, cushion, eyelet, small mosaic, diagonal and tent, thus lending texture to the picture. My thanks to John Hughes and Keith Woolley for producing this excellent photograph (click image to enlarge).
Village visits
A group of us were thrilled to join residents from other Retirement Villages’ villages heading down to Elmbridge village near Cranleigh in Surrey for their summer fete. The weather did us no favours but we received a very warm welcome at Elmbridge and enjoyed all the fun of the fete.
We also made a stop at Thamesfield retirement village in Henley-on-Thames for lunch – a truly delicious meal – and a pleasure to meet other Retirement Villages’ residents.
JULY 2009 UPDATE
Band of steel
The 10-piece steel band Ocho Rios paid a return visit to Lime Tree Village recently. They always create a fantastic atmosphere with the amazing music they play. It’s impossible not to smile as you’re listening to it.
We had a brilliant turn out – there must have been around 80 of us at the concert. They won’t let us pay them but instead ask for donations to go to the Myton Hospice in Rugby – a very worthwhile cause and one we’re always happy to donate to.
From village to village to village
We were delighted to receive an invitation from residents at another Retirement Villages village – Elmbridge, in Surrey (click picture to enlarge) – to join in the fun at their summer fete. A group of us have organised a day trip down to the event – at the beginning of August.
And we’re going to call in on the way at Thamesfield Retirement Village in Henley on Thames for coffee. Three retirement villages in a day – not bad going!
Minibus trial a success
For the last few weeks we’ve been trialling the idea of having a minibus in the village for use by residents. Our village manager arranged to hire one to see whether it was something the company should consider investing in. It’s worked out really well.
It goes on regular shopping trips into Rugby and once a week goes further afield – into Northampton or Leamington Spa for example. Once a week we use it to go on a trip – which we as residents organise. We’ve been to lots of places of interest from Birmingham Botanical Gardens to Kenilworth House and down to the Cotswolds.
It means a big group of us can go out without having to organise drivers, cars and lifts. It’s certainly proved popular and moves are now in place for us to have our own minibus – something we’re very much looking forward to.
JUNE 2009 UPDATE
Our Summer Fete
It was wonderful to see so many residents, family, staff and friends join in the fun at our Summer Fete which has now become a regular fixture on our calendar.
This is what our staff had to say about the event:
Tammy O’Farrell – housekeeping. “My daughter Milly wanted to see where Mummy worked and to meet the residents. We went to different stalls including the Spot the Dalmation game which involved taking a spot of the dog and collecting a prize. We liked the jewellery stall too and brought a bracelet and a cat brooch. I showed Milly around Cawston House – she was very keen to meet the ghost who is supposed to live there – but he didn’t put in an appearance!”
Lynn Tysall – senior nurse. “I bought my parents Meg and John. Mum was keen to buy me a Victoria Sponge cake but the cake stall was so popular they’d sold out by the time we reached it. Dad had a go at the Spot the Dalmation stall and won some lollipops!”
Malvenia Richmond – assistant village manager. “My mum Maureen came with me and we made a beeline for the cake stall – she wanted a homemade cake for tea. I had a go at ‘Throw the Wellie’ and was rather embarrassed to score the shortest throw – even beaten by a very small girl! We had a lovely wander round the village – the ducklings on the pond kept us entertained for ages.”
Michael Bayliss – maintenance supervisor. “I brought my wife Chris and granddaughter Poppy to the fete. Poppy won a bubble maker on one of the stalls and loved running around the lawn blowing bubbles. I was happy with the bottle of win I won on the hoopla.”
Paul Harris – mini bus driver – bought a cake for his wife who was having to work on the day and Village Manager John Hall found himself and wife Angela accosted on every stall by residents determined to make him part with this money.
The event was very popular with everyone who attended and provided a great afternoon of entertainment.
New computer
We’re in the process of buying a computer desk for the library so we can set up the computer Retirement Villages have given us. It will be available –with full internet access – to residents to use for whatever they want – internet shopping, emailing, research, booking trips….
It’s a welcome addition to the facilities we already have here.
MAY 2009 UPDATE
Village fete
Our village fete promises to be the biggest and best yet. Pictures from the event will hopefully be available next month. This year’s fete will include a range of stalls and activities – something for everyone.
A huge thank you to every resident and their families and friends who have helped in organising the event. We just hope the weather will be kind! Here’s a picture (click picture to enlarge) taken at one of our previous summer events.
Village events – spring/summer diary
- Monday - Tai Chi , whist
- Tuesday - craft afternoon
- Wednesday - line dancing, art class
- Thursday – keep fit, bridge, line dancing
- Friday – flower arranging
Competitions galore
The competition is hotting up among our sporting residents. Many will be entering our tournaments which this summer will include: croquet, boules, putting and outdoor bowls.
For those with an artistic flair, and there are many among us at Lime Tree, there is the photographic competition, organised by our village Photographic Group. This year’s village calendar was produced by our photography team and includes images taken in and around Lime Tree (click picture to enlarge) all with an Edwardian theme.
The calendar was a huge success and sold out immediately!