THAMESFIELD
FEBRUARY 2010 UPDATE
Love is in the air
What’s that saying – you’re never too old for a spot of romance? We wholeheartedly agree. And that’s why we’ll be pushing the boat out on Sunday for a proper Valentine’s Day celebration.
There’ll be heart-shaped helium balloons for the tables which will also be scattered with heart shaped confetti – aaahhhh! There will be tomato soup – it’s red you see – with heart shaped croutons, and heart shaped cheesecakes with strawberry – red again – coulis for dessert. Unfortunately the chef couldn’t source any heart shaped roast chicken for the main course!
And to drink? Why nothing less than pink champagne!
Spring is in the air too
We hate to say the ‘S’ word when the weather forecast map is still a shiver-inducing blue but the first signs of spring are definitely arriving here at Thamesfield.
We have snowdrops peeking through the soil and there are definitely buds on some of our trees which weren’t there last week. Thamesfield is beautiful in the spring with the dew on the grass and the gardens starting to burst into life. And of course more sunshine so we can get outside more to enjoy the amazing views we have of the river and the town.
VIP visit
We shall be welcoming the Mayor of Wokingham to Thamesfield later this month. Councillor Barrie Patman will be coming along to have a chat and a coffee with some of us, which will give us chance to show off some of the redecoration work that’s going on here. We’ll let you know how it goes.
JANUARY 2010 UPDATE
Ladies – and gentlemen – who lunch
Thamesfield once again shone on December 13th when we held our annual Christmas luncheon for residents and their families. All the guests joined us in a glass of champagne as they made their way down to the Orangery and the Garden Room which had been decorated beautifully by the staff.
Everyone was happy and eager to see the fantastic buffet which had once again been prepared by our award winning Chef and his team. There were whole poached salmons beautifully laid out on mirrors with scallops and langoustines.
The Chefs carved fresh whole turkeys and gammons which were accompanied by a rainbow of salads and piping hot new potatoes. The only difficulty was what NOT to have!
Once the main course had been received the tables were transformed with the freshly made desserts. Once again a whole selection of patisseries and fresh fruit all prepared by the Catering team on site.
The whole day was a happy joyous occasion enjoyed by residents, their families and the staff - many of whom gave up their time willingly to ensure the residents had the best day EVER!
Happy new year from us
New Year celebrations kicked off with the obligatory champagne reception followed by the famous New Years Eve buffet which is very popular with residents and their guests.
All the food is laid out in chaffing dishes and by special request included eggs, bacon, sausages, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, and FRIED BREAD! Served by the waitresses, residents indulged on the last day of the year!
It’ ‘snow’ bother
Staff kept Thamesfield open during the recent bad weather - walking when the cars were in drifts and even staying overnight when the roads proved too treacherous.
It actually encouraged a wonderful community spirit but it didn't stop the catering team taking the opportunity to enjoy some light hearted snow ball fights with our Village Manager Rhona as the main target.
The roads in the village were kept clear and safe and everyone was happy and warm and kept entertained.
DECEMBER 2009 UPDATE
Christmas Carols
by Catherine Hinman
If you want to hear your favourite Christmas Carols played and sung the way they should be done, you should go along to the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate Christmas with the Salvation Army. The presentation, the music and the singing of the various choirs is just magnificent.
I go every year with my family and every time I come away thinking what a wonderful service they provide for needy people all over the country. Well done the Salvation Army!
Hairdressing
by Iris Packe
My hair is not my crowning glory. I envy those who, apparently without effort, always look well-groomed. Several years ago I tried a wig but it was so much thicker than my own hair, and caused such an outcry of derision from the family that it was quickly abandoned.
So, as a newcomer to Henley, how do I choose a hairdresser? Help is very close at hand as Thamesfield has its own salon staffed by a qualified hairdresser. No worries about that death to a hairdo, rainy weather or finding a parking space in town.
Book in handbag, I leave my flat five minutes before my appointment. A wash, a trim, a spell under the dryer with my book and a coffee – it’s all very pleasant and easy, rounded off by a chat with Lesley, our hairdresser, and others.
Inaugural Thamesfield Book Club meeting
By Annie Gillett
On Tuesday, eight residents and one relative joined me round the fire in the sitting room at Thamesfield. I served the coffee and wine and we were all set up for our first ‘proper’ Book Club Meeting.
Over the last six weeks we had been reading The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett, a small book which had already been read by Angela, and was considered a good one to start with.
Everyone enjoyed this amusing book – The Uncommon Reader being the Queen! It portrayed her in a very different way to how we normally see her and had an interesting twist at the end. The local library will loan up to 15 books to book clubs and had sent me a very comprehensive list, so we spent some time deciding on the next book.
It wasn’t easy as we all enjoy different books but the whole idea of a book club is that we read something we wouldn’t normally read. We chose To Kill A Mocking Bird by Lee Harper and decided to give ourselves six weeks before the next meeting!
We all agreed this had been a great way to get together on a cold, miserable evening and we look forward to the next time.
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.
Celia Scholfield’s ‘Snowmen’ design (click picture to enlarge) was chosen as a runner up, with Elizabeth Martin, Claudie Phelips and Lady Sandy Trewby also taking part.
Celia’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. Celia receives a box of chocolates to mark her efforts.
Let battle commence
A rash of general knowledge books have suddenly appeared all over Thamesfield. Staff and residents have been spied flicking through them on the sly – yet we’ll all deny it!
All this secret swotting is in aid of the quiz our activities organiser Annie has organised. The teams? Staff versus residents. We’re pretty evenly matched on numbers but we think there could be a few dark horses on both sides when it comes to knowledge banks.
We’ll let you know how it goes!
OCTOBER 2009 UPDATE
We did it!
The staff here did us proud! Not only did they finish the eight mile Henley and Marlow Stride – they raised a phenomenal £1,000 with more money still to be collected.
A team of six plus some family members (click picture to enlarge) took part in the walk in aid of cancer charities. They were inspired by our activities organiser Annie Gillett, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She was the star of the day, completing the walk in fine form.
The eight intrepid walkers were sent off in style with bacon butties cooked up by our kitchen team. And we were all ready with a round of applause when they arrived back – looking remarkably fresh faced. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements – especially Annie’s. What an example to us all.
SEPTEMBER 2009 UPDATE
Striding out for charity
We’re all busy training for this year’s Henley and Marlow Stride. It’s an eight mile walk along the Thames towpath from Marlow to – no prizes for guessing – Henley! We won’t be doing it all but a fair few of us will be undertaking parts of the walk.
It’s a beautiful route – Thamesfield is on the banks of the river in Henley and we can vouch for the fact you get amazing views around here.
The Stride is held in aid of Cancer Research UK, a charity close to the hearts of a lot of people here at Thamesfield so we’ll be hoping to raise a lot of money in sponsorship. It’s taking place on Sunday 4th October starting at 10.30am.
We’ll let you know how it goes!
AUGUST 2009 UPDATE
Messing about on the river
Over the years we've built up a good relationship with the River and Rowing Museum here in Henley-on-Thames. It's a really interesting place to visit with lots of memorabilia, history about the river's relationship with the town and how they feed of each other.
Not everyone here can get out to the museum so it's really kind of the staff there come here sometimes. They came this month and brought a new selection of artefacts for us to look at. They currently have a Wind in the Willows exhibition on so they talked about that. And they bought some musical instruments too which proved to be great fun.
A few of us have been inspired to visit the museum with our families over the summer holidays.
JULY 2009 UPDATE
A royal outing
by Marjorie Stringer
Our activities organiser Annie arranged for eight of our residents to meet the Queen - not literally of course. But we travelled from Henley through the Great Park and along Dukes Ride where the Queen and Prince Phillip along with guests, drive to attend Ladies Day at Royal Ascot.
Annie and Lesley, our hairdresser, were in charge of the arrangements and had gathered together chairs and tables plus a picnic lunch. When we arrived, already members of the Royal Household were in attendance.
It is a very happy occasion - we rather feel we too are going with the Queen. Two beautiful grey horses along with their riders in red and gold livery were very near us. Annie and Lesley set up our chairs close to the barrier. Blankets and umbrellas produced (in case). The weather was inclement but no rain. Our chef at Thamesfield had done us proud – a lunch fit for a Queen. Champagne was also produced to toast the Queen and all friends around us.
At 2.45pm the four beautiful carriages arrived to await the Queen and her entourage from Windsor Castle. The first limousine to arrive brought the Queen and Prince Phillip. The hoods had been put down in the carriages. The Queen alighted and the Prince stepped into the carriage.
The Queen looked very elegant in a lovely blue ensemble. Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice joined them in the carriage. They acknowledged everyone with a wave and a smile. Three other carriages had members of the family.
All too soon the carriages headed off down Kings Row towards Royal Ascot. We can pretend we went to the Races, maybe won a bet! Our thanks to everyone who made this day possible for us. It was fun!
Row row row the boat
River life is very much a part of Thamesfield with our grounds leading down, as they do, to the Thames. We welcomed some very special guests who moored up at our dedicated landing stage during a charity row down the Thames from Gloucestershire to London.
The 10-strong crew enjoyed coffee and cake on our lawn in the company of Peter, one of our residents and an uncle of one of the crew. The four day sponsored row, in a hand-crafted replica of a 42ft Shallop, was raising money for the Save Canterbury Cathedral Fund and Odyssey – a charity which helps improve the lives of adult cancer victims.
By the time the crew stopped for coffee with us they had already rowed nine miles and went on to cover another 22 that day! The picture shows Peter, who is 99 this year, with two of the crew, watched over by Jan Wade, a trustee of Odyssey.
JUNE 2009 UPDATE
Messing about on the water
One activity that has become our favourite is the ‘Boat Trip’. Last year there was a new boat available, specially built for the elderly, with an electric lift for boarding, comfortable seats, good windows, a sun roof, radiators for colder weather – and the loo is magnificent.
We embarked from our own private landing stage. A charming young lady was our captain, very knowledgeable and efficient at navigating the locks en route.
We turned right down the river towards Marlow. We saw the preparations for Henley Royal Regatta, the tents for entertaining visitors and the grandstands. It wasn’t long long before we were in open countryside and for a while it was fields, lush riverside trees, a few sheep and cottages.
At lunch time we are fortified with a glass of pink champagne, served by Activity Annie, and a delicious meal cooked by our Thamesfield chef. All too soon we reach Hambleden Lock where the river widens and it is time to turn round.
We all had a lovely day and are looking forward to the next trip.
Celebrating the regatta
Henley-on-Thames is transformed during the Royal Regatta and we don’t like to miss out. We have a village barbecue planned for Regatta Friday when we’ll all be gathering on the terrace to enjoy a glass of Pimms and a barbecue while watching all the excitement on the river which runs just at the bottom of our garden. Perfect!
Summer timetable
- Monday: Happy hour with canapés and drinks
- Tuesday: Exercise class
- Wednesday: Quiz
- Thursday: Housey-Housey (Thamesfield’s own version of bingo)
- Friday: Art class
New for summer
We have teamed up with a Bridge Club from Henley-on-Thames and will be taking turns to host games.