Castle View Residents Enjoy A Royal Day To Remember
When the news broke that His Majesty King Charles III would be visiting the Isle of Man, the Wellbeing Team at Castle View immediately put the wheels in motion to be part of the day.
Always up to speed with community events on the island, the team knew that a visit by King Charles would be a wonderful opportunity for some of Castle View Nursing Home’s residents to be part of a historic occasion. They began putting plans in place a week before the visit and everything came together quickly.
Planning Fit for a Meeting with the King
Every detail for the outing was carefully planned - from parking arrangements, sun cream, drinks, snacks, hats and of course of special Union Jack flags featuring His Majesty. Castle View’s wonderful kitchen team also rose to the challenge, offering to prepare a delicious picnic for the residents who would need to leave at around midday to arrive in plenty of time for the King's visit to the Horse Trams. Wellbeing Team member, Hannah, spoke with resident Joyce, who excitedly said she would love to see the King. She even chose a beautiful dress especially for the occasion and the sense of anticipation soon spread amongst everyone who was involved.
Team Effort Brings Residents to Douglas Parade
It was a real bonus for the Wellbeing Team to have additional help on the day and Hospitality Team member, Elienith, was given special permission by Deputy Manager, Jewel, and the home’s Chef to join the group. The extra support meant they were able to include another wheelchair user in the party so four residents – Margery, Joyce, Dorcas and Brian – were accompanied by Karen, Hannah, Louise and Elienith. On the morning itself, they all boarded the home’s minibus and set off across the island to the capital, Douglas.
The team had carefully planned where to position the group of residents on Douglas Promenade and they were delighted to see the King travel a short distance on the historic Horse Tram, celebrating its 150th Anniversary, before greeting members of the public. Everyone waved their flags proudly as he passed by.
Magical Moment with the King for Resident Margery
One particularly special moment came when some thoughtful children from Beehive Kindergarten who were standing in front of the residents kindly moved aside, allowing Margery - smartly turned out in navy with a neat straw hat - to stand for a short time with Hannah's support. As King Charles approached he stopped to speak to Margery and she proudly told him she is 98 years old. To her absolute delight, the King shook her hand and also asked her if she was doing a good job looking after the children, to which she replied, "Oh yes”.
It was a truly unforgettable moment and one that left Margery absolutely over the moon.
Making New Friends Across the Generations
Residents Dorcas, Brian, Joyce also enjoyed wonderful views of His Majesty as they waved their flags. Everyone chatted with the nursery children and their teachers Miss Alice, Miss Teagan, and Miss Lacey, who kindly asked for a photograph, celebrating the coming together of young and old for a memorable occasion. Dorcas enjoyed chatting with the children telling them how much she liked their Manx flags and they generously gave the residents some of their small Manx flags, which were tied to the wheelchairs. Sharing such a joyful experience with different generations made it feel extra special.
On their way back to the minibus, the group met several members of Castle View staff who were delighted to see the residents out enjoying such a wonderful day out. Margery couldn't stop talking about meeting King Charles and shaking his hand.
Memories of a Truly Special Day
Back at the Castle View, the residents were eager to share their news of the day. The first thing Margery did was excitedly tell Deputy Manager, Jewel, about her royal encounter. She was absolutely beaming and continued talking about the experience for the rest of the day. Dorcas said it was lovely to see the King and the children, Joyce couldn't stop smiling after finally seeing his Majesty and telling everyone about it, and Brain thoroughly enjoyed the outing and was so pleased to have been part of such a historic event.
As news of the royal outing spread, it was lovely to see and read comments from family members who were delighted their loved ones had been to Douglas to see the King. Of course, residents loved telling their relatives about their ‘royal day to remember’ – and are still talking about it, to this day!
A Warm Welcome to Castle View
Choosing the right care for your loved one is never easy, but at Castle View Nursing Home in Peel on the Isle of Man, families find peace of mind. Offering nursing, dementia and palliative care in a warm and friendly home environment. Nestled in landscaped grounds with breathtaking views over the hills and down to the sea, our care home offers a safe and nurturing environment where residents can thrive.
With a safe, homely environment, residents can truly feel at ease”, engaging daily activities and spaces designed for both relaxation and companionship, life here feels fulfilling and reassuring. Just minutes from Peel’s shops, cafes and cosy pubs, our residents enjoy both the comfort of home and the beauty of the island.
