HILLSIDE retirement home at Great Cornard has launched an urgent appeal for a bagpipe player to entertain residents at a fun-packed Scottish knees-up planned for St Andrew’s Day (November 30).
The ‘Hillside Highland Fling’ to mark Scotland’s national day is the latest fun event lined up for the Sudbury care home’s 34 residents – most of whom are in their 90s.
“Most of our residents love a good knees-up and are really looking forward to it,” said deputy care home manager Carol Wright. “If we could only find a Scottish bagpipe player it would be the icing on the cake. We know the residents would be absolutely thrilled but we haven’t a clue where to find a Scottish bagpipe player in the heart of Suffolk.”
Meanwhile, care home staff are hurriedly putting together their very own Scottish dance routine to entertain residents on the day and also plan to turn up for work in Scottish dress. The home will also be decorated in the Scottish national colours of blue and white.
“Haggis will also be on the menu at lunch time and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of our more active residents didn’t join in with a bit of very gentle Scottish dancing themselves,” said Carol.
The St. Andrew’s day knees-up comes hot on the heels of the care home’s Halloween celebrations for which both staff and some residents dressed up in fancy dress.
Carol added: “At Hillside we like to make sure the residents always have something to look forward to. We also celebrate St Patrick’s Day, St David’s Day and St George’s Day.”
Hillside Care worker Linda Rock, who comes from Scotland, is particularly looking forward to the celebrations. “I shall feel quite at home,” she said.
Any local bagpipe players interested in putting in an appearance at the Hillside Highland Fling event should contact Carol Wright or Janet Warner at the care home at Kings Hill on 01787 372 737.
The care home is also interested in hearing from any Scottish dancers interested in putting in an appearance.
Hillside is part of the UK’s largest independently owned care home group, Caring Homes, and was recently awarded the coveted Hospitality Assured standard for services and business excellence.