Gittisham Hill Park Residents Diary

We have always said our residents are our best ambassadors. That’s why we’ve dedicated these pages to the residents of Gittisham Hill Park to fill with news, views and events, in the hope it will give you a genuine insight in village living Retirement Villages’ style.

Congratulations to our manager

We are absolutely thrilled for our Village Manager Carol White who has been shortlisted for a national award!

Carol has been named as a finalist in the Dementia Care Manager category of the National Care Awards 2011.

We are so pleased that Carol’s incredible efforts for all of us at Gittisham Hill Park have been recognised and wish her luck for the finals!

Royal Wedding Update

Fruit and nuts, two types of sugar, marzipan, layers of icing, eggs and flour… yes, we’re baking our own Wedding Cake in time for the celebrations.

The cake will be accompanied by a glass of champagne – already cooling in the fridge!

Staff and residents of both the nursing home and the apartments will be joining together to watch the wedding in the main house – we’re really excited!

Village manager turned chef 

Our village manager Carol White is a wonder – she can turn her hand to anything. And, on Christmas Day, as usual she will be stepping up to the mark and cooking Christmas dinner for all the staff and residents who are celebrating here at the village.

It’s become a tradition for Carol to do this and one which we all look forward to. She cooks a mean roast potato and the tables are always laden with wonderful food.

Long service

We were delighted to mark Lyn Halcrow’s 20 years service at Gittisham Hill Park with a special presentation. Lyn was joined by some of her family members on November 5 – the actual day she started working here.

We have a very tight knit team of staff and it was lovely to be able to celebrate such an incredible length of service.

Fish and chips… 26 times please!

One of the residents of our independent living bungalows threw open an invitation to her neighbours - and their families - to join her for a fish and chip supper.

It became something of a party with 26 guests joining her. A big order for the fish and chip shop!

MP visit 

The MP charmed us all during his visit here last week. Neil Parish is our local MP, a Conservative, elected in May. He’s a real Devon man and knows the area well so we were able to share local stories with him.

Our village manager Carol White showed him around and talked to him about the bungalows and the care home we have here. They looked to be having a good old chin wag as they went round the site with two Retirement Villages directors.

Unfortunately the rain didn’t stop and they did all get slightly damp. But, once they’d finished the formalities, we gave them a nice warm welcome in our lounge. The kitchen staff had prepared scones and jam with tea – a traditional Devon tea – which we all tucked into.

Mr Parish spent a while talking to different residents – and their families. He seemed very keen to learn about us and our home and we all enjoyed filling him in!