The Oaks Care Home in Newtown, Powys is celebrating the most romantic night of the year by holding a Valentine’s Ball for its residents.
Staff have been working hard to create a special day for everyone in the home, including a number of married couples who live there together.
As well as a special afternoon tea with homemade decorated cookies, there will be Love Bingo with prizes to be won, a couple of familiar game shows to take part in and a chance to dress up with the theme of wearing something red.
Jen Roberts, Registered Manager of The Oaks, said: “We have got a lovely day planned for all our residents.
“We’ll be handing out roses at the door along with glasses of cranberry fizz in champagne glasses. The ladies have had their hair and nails done in the salon and we’ve helped them make red brooches and designed lovely gift bags.
“We’ve asked residents to reminisce about their favourite love songs and we’ve drawn up a playlist with numbers by Vera Lynn, Elvis, Billy Joel, Tom Jones and the Welsh Male Choir.
“We’re going to finish off with a ball dance and waltz and some karaoke.
“The pandemic has bought enormous challenges for the entire care sector and there hasn’t been a lot to celebrate in lockdown but we thought a Valentine’s Day Ball would be something everyone could look forward to and get involved in. We have been delighted with the response we have had from everyone in the home.”
Brian and Frances still in love this Valentine’s Day
A couple who have been married for 57 years and who moved into The Oaks Care Home together eight months ago have shared their tips for staying together this Valentine’s Day.
Brian Rogers, 85, a retired long-distance lorry driver, says the secret to a happy marriage is being able to work well together and be able to compromise.
His wife Frances, 83, who worked in a window factory before she got married, says Brian’s poetic tendencies make him a true romantic.
The couple first met each other at a hospital where Brian was visiting his sister, who had just had a baby. Frances says it was love at first sight and that he was ‘the best looking out of the four brothers visiting their sister.’
The couple, who have a 58-year-old daughter called Chris, have found it difficult not being able to see their family during lockdown.
Frances said: “It has been very hard not being able to see our lovely daughter for so long but we’re so glad to still have each other in the home and to have Facetime with family.
“Brian has always been romantic and his poetic side surprised me on our 50th wedding anniversary. Some couples buy flowers or chocolates but Brian wrote me a poem about our love which he sent to the local newspaper.
“My favourite part of the poem. “I’ve got the answer to that question I asked so long ago except, with life’s experiences and finally reaching gold the answers wiser than the question: we love each other now we’re old.
“I’m so happy we can be together in The Oaks – with him near me, I will never be alone.”
Jen Roberts, Registered Care Manager of The Oaks, said: “It’s lovely to have such a moving example of true love with us in The Oaks this Valentine’s Day.”
The County Times ran the story about our Valentine’s Day Ball which you can read here
