“ Sometimes on a sunny day it began even to be pleasant and genial, and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps Flowers peeped out amongst the leaves; snow-drops, crocuses, purple auriculas, and goldeneyed pansies.”
Those of you who have braved the cold and ventured out recently may have been treated to the welcome sight of some lovely snowdrops, much like the eponymous Jane Eyre in this passage by Charlotte Bronte! Snowdrops are one of the first flowers of spring, and thus often symbolise new beginnings, hope, rebirth and the ability to overcome challenges.
The symbolic language of flowers has been recognised for centuries in countries throughout Europe and Asia
In the Victorian era, learning the special symbolism of flowers was a popular pastime, and gifts of specific floral arrangements were used to send a coded message to the recipient, allowing the sender to express feelings of romance and courtship which could not necessarily be spoken aloud in Victorian society.
Nowadays, we are less likely to reject someone using a bunch of yellow carnations, or express distrust with lavender; however some of us will still mark Valentine’s Day with a gift of red roses - meaning romantic love, of course!
However, our Valentine’s bouquets in the UK are often made with roses which have been grown using huge amounts of water and pesticides, then flown in from sunnier climes. Perhaps we should look to Victorian floriography for a greener, seasonal alternative?!
From The Activities Coordinator
The Christmas trees and decorations went up, gorgeous food was served, carols were sung, Church services were held, entertainers entertained us, schoolchildren, friends and family visited us and a wonderful Christmas was had by all. Clearly all the residents had been good as Father Christmas turned up with presents galore. There may also have been a few sherries consumed!
A big thank you to all the staff for making the Christmas period so much fun with dressing up, joining in with activities and creating a lovely atmosphere for all.
After a few quiet days we welcomed 2025 and have enjoyed some lovely music throughout January, kicking off
with the Brettingham String Quartet, Rachel playing the flute and piano and our rocker Nick on his guitar. We have also had a visit from The Troshers accordion band (below) We are so blessed to experience all this live music.
We had a right giggle with an inclusive panto “Aladdin” – everyone was a fantastic sport, particularly Geoff who played Princess Honeysuckle!
There are a dedicated group of quizzers who all take turns to write and host a quiz each week; these are enjoyed by many of the residents who are always keen to learn something new.
There have been several birthdays – Elsie had a special one her 100th! Her room was filled with flowers and cards and her friends gave her a beautiful scarf Bobs shares her birthday with Sean (head of Catering) and once again she received some lovely cards and flowers.
Billy our therapy dog was grateful for her Christmas dog treats and we are so grateful to her for the joy she brings to so many of our residents.
Community Events
FEBRUARY
Wednesday 19th - U3A Talk: Newhaven Court: Love, tragedy, heroism, intrigue. 2-3pm, The Assembly House Talk by author and historian Helen Murray; learn about the colourful and illuminating history of Newhaven Court in Norfolk, a Victorian mansion destroyed by fire in 1963. FREE ENTRY with u3a membership cards which are available from the Activities Team and Scheme Managers. £3.50 for non members. Refreshments available.
Wednesday 19th - Understanding Dementia Risk: Strategies, Stories and Support. 2-3pm, The Forum. Join UEA academics as they shine a light on the groundbreaking dementia research happening in Norwich. This relaxed event will also offer practical advice from local charitable organisations, and inspiring stories to support and guide those affected by dementia FREE ENTRY Booking via Norwich Science Festival website
Thursday 20th - Infinite Life: Eggs and The Evolution of Life on Earth. 3-4pm, The Forum
Join zoologist Jules Howard as he shares a fascinating and revolutionary story of eggs, evolution, and life on Earth. Tickets £6. Booking via Norwich Science Festival website
MARCH
Tuesday 1st - Corton House Community Cafe with Intergenerational Music & Movement. 1-3pm, The Jubilee Community Centre, NR1 2EX. Includes free lunch and light refreshments. FREE, no booking required Transport can be arranged, contact Imogen on 01603 978007
Tuesday 1st - “Women in the Cathedral” Tour of Norwich Cathedral. 10:15am Tour exploring the women ’ s stories which are woven into the fabric and history of Norwich Cathderal. Tickets £5. Booking via Norwich Cathedral website.
From The Scheme Manager
Update on where we left off in our November/December issue – what a transformation!
The landscaping of our gardens is complete, apart from the planting which should happen as Spring approaches. They look amazing and will give easier access to those who couldn’t enjoy them before the work was carried out
We have such lovely patio areas and pathways, and I guess we will be seeing lots of activity there when the weather improves!
We have resumed our events once more following the Christmas period. Tenants enjoyed Burns Night (opposite, top right) hosted by two of our tenants, Ed & Rosemary
Scotch broth and haggis were the order of the evening! Next, Sue and I hosted a Bring & Share Buffet lunch, which included a lovelycontribution of scotch eggs and mini quiches from our fabulous Chef, Sean!
Tenants Les & Barbara are hosting one of their famous quizzes as I sit here typing my piece for Neighbours!
Other upcoming events include a Film afternoon, Fish & Chip lunch, Prize Bingo and a Pancake lunch.
Looks like Sue and I are going to be very busy with our entertaining throughout February!
Happy Days! - Lorraine
Fridays - NEW Friendly Fridays, 5:306:30pm Bring your own drink and stay for a chat with others
FEBRUARY:
Friday 14th - Book Club, 2pm Members only, please see Scheme Managers to sign up
Sunday 16th - Songs of Praise with Rev Steve Thomasson. 2:30pm.
Monday 17th - Bible Study, 11am
Friday 21st - Fish and Chip Lunch, 12:30pm. Please place your order with Scheme Managers in advance.
Saturday 22nd - Coffee and Cake with Sue. 2pm. £1
Friday 28th - Prize Bingo. 2pm. £4. *
MARCH:
Monday 3rd - Holy Communion, 10:30am.
Tuesday 4th - Pancake Lunch, 12:30pm. £4 *
* Please sign up outside the Blake Lounge
Mondays (Fortnightly) - beginning 10th February. Corton House Choir, 2:30pm, The Leisure Room. No experience necessary!
FEBRUARY:
Tuesday 11th - Care Home Quiz with Friend in Deed, 3:15pm, The Leisure Room.
Thursday 13th - Fun and games with The Norwich Beavers Group, 6:30pm, The Myers Lounge.
Friday 14th - Valentine’s Day Face & Hand Painting with Millie, 2:30pm, The Leisure Room.
Wednesday 19th - Little Visitors Music & Movement with Glow Worms, 11am, The Myers Lounge.
Thursday 20th - Poetry Group with Josie on the theme of Love. 2:15pm, The Leisure Room. †
Please note activities and events are subject to change and more are to be announced.
† Tenants at Brakendon Close may attend this event; please sign up outside the Blake Lounge and do not attend if you are feeling unwell.
Just a Thought...
We always appreciate your submissions for Neighbours! If you would like to submit something please send it to Imogen via the Activities Team and Scheme Managers, or by emailing ibowers@cortonhouse co uk Thank you for this month’s thoughts!
“You may recall that I wrote recently of my pal, Gulliver - a stately seagull sentinel atop a chimney pot which I see from my window in Brakendon Close.
Well, with all the leaves gone from the intervening trees, I have a host of chimney pots in view - some, to my delight, sending curls of smoke up to drift and disperse in the air.
My thoughts wander down these chimneys, to families below, enjoying glowing fires - perhaps roasting chestnuts on a shovel (slit the shell to avoid explosions!) - toasting crumpets on a long metal fork, while feeling the skin
on your knees get red and wrinkly
The hearth was the central point of the home - a ‘family’ place. Now, TV, iPads, smartphones, the media and even AI fill our time, leading to individual, almost separate lifestyles
What next? Messages from the man-inthe-moon destined to get stuck in my Victorian pots? - ANON
Artwork - Left: Pierre Edouard Frere - Roasting Chestnuts, 1882
Above: Maria Jimenez, Chemical Dopamine, 2018
“The time has come when we should give thanks for Corton House and all it represents. A newly refurbished home, a manager who is ‘hands on ’ , listens to complaints, comments and suggestions and acts on them (sometimes yes, sometimes no!)
Two excellent activity organisers who try to keep all active in mind and body; with activities like prayer meetings, poetry, reminiscence; to bands, singers, choirs, guitarists, accordionists etc; to board games like Scrabble, Bananagrams etc. Not forgetting Knit and Natter, and Bingo! Maria tries to keep residents active with regular exercises too
There is office staff who keep us ticking over. Supervisors who give us the pills and listen to our moans and groans Carers who look after us every day Domestic staff who keep us clean and tidy. Kitchen staff who provide us with good food and drink. And last but by no means least, our laundry staff, who take care of our personal laundry and the home linen. Well done all of you.
Nothing is too much for any of them. We are lucky to be spending our final years in such a lovely care home, and now there is even the cafe for visitors!
- ANON
“Two men were working for the local Council One was digging a hole and the other was following and filling the hole in. They worked up one side of the street, and then down the other, then moved onto the next street and did the same.
An onlooker was amazed at the hard working men and tried to work out what they were doing Eventually, he caught up with one of them and asked him the reason for this effort The man wiped his brow and sighed, “Well, I suppose it probably looks odd to you, but you see, we are usually a three person team - but the lad who plants the trees has called in sick!” - ANON
Millie Makes a Mark!
Just before Christmas (doesn’t that seem a while ago now!) residents in Corton House enjoyed a face and hand painting workshop with local artist Millie Evans, who also visits our fete every year with her face painting stall.
Everyone had a wonderful, creative time painting festive florals on their arms and hands, and Millie will be returning to Corton House for a Valentine’s Day workshop this Friday.
The Boys are Back in Town!
Residents in Corton House were joined by staff and some lovely tenants from Brakendon Close for our first ever Men's Club!
A special space for for the gents at Corton House to socialise with one another and meet new people over a beer and some delicious snacks.
There will also be a different activity each month, kicking off this time with Scalextric.
Fundraising into Fruition!
Have you seen our new piece of kit in Corton House? The Omi interactive projector, packed with games reminiscence and sensory activities! The Omi has been purchased with the proceeds of our 2024 Golf Day and an incredibly generous donation from Equans. Thank you to Equans employee and Corton House volunteer Matt for nominating us to receive funds!
Above: an illustration of Mike in a card given to him to congratulate his completion of another walking route!
Below: A photo taken along the pilgrim route.
Hiking with Mike!
One of our tenants at Brakendon Close is all set for a sponsored walk across northern Spain this spring, and he is generously fundraising for us here at Corton House and Brakendon Close.
Mike will be following the pilgrim routes of the Camino del Norte and Camino Frances; beginning in Biarritz, France, crossing the Pyrenees and finishing in Santiago de Compostela - taking in Pamplona, Santander, Oviedo, Leon and more along the way The journey will cover approximately 1000km (621 miles) and Mike, who will be celebrating his 75th birthday en route, will be carrying equipment of around 11.5kg (over 25lbs) with him, and self-funding all his flights and accommodation
If you would like to sponsor his walk, a sponsorship form is available in the office at Corton House and on the Brakendon Close notice boards Our online fundraising page can be found at donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/hiking -the-camino-with-mike
Community Cafe Greets City College
You may recall, the Corton House Community Cafe - our monthly venture at Lakenham’s Jubilee Community Centrehas partnered with Friend In Deed and Age UK Norwich to include little visitors for intergenerational music and movement sessions led by Glow Worms.
Alongside the usual free hot meal and chance to socialise, the most recent session also welcomed students from the Early Years Practitioner course at City College, who enjoyed the chance to meet and chat with participants young and old Next month they will return with some games they have invented for everyone to enjoy!
Resident Workshops Return
Our Resident Workshops are a great, informal way of gathering feedback. We recently discussed our annual surveyshow they could be improved and clarified, and what changes could be made to ensure they are accessible for all
