Last week here at Loose Valley Care Home, we enjoyed a fascinating look back in time at some interesting historical places and people
Maidstone Zoo and Cobtree Manor
On Monday 22 January, we talked together about the history of Maidstone Zoo, opened in 1934 by the owner Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake who had inherited the land from his father. He created it in the grounds of his house, Cobtree Manor, just outside of Maidstone.
The zoo had lions, tigers, bears, horses, puma, leopards, ostriches, kangaroos and many smaller creatures, with around 250 animals on display. Sir Garrard even bred cream ponies for a circus and put on pantomime productions with them pulling a Cinderella coach! The zoo finally closed in 1959.
Our residents love to chat and discuss topics that are relevant to them, and so many remembered going for a day out to Maidstone Zoo when they were young and how exciting it was to see all the animals up close.
The bears were a favourite along with the lions, as most had only seen pictures from books, so to witness these magnificent creatures right in front of their eyes was amazing to them!
Leeds Castle
On Tuesday we turned our attention to Leeds Castle which has been called the ‘loveliest castle in the world‘, magnificently standing on an island surrounded by a moat and past home to many kings, queens, lords and ladies. Henry XIII updated it for Queen Catherine of Aragon to live in.
It’s a beautiful place with swans, gardens and playgrounds for children to play in, along with many cafes and lawns to have picnics on.
Two of our residents use to live at the back of the castle’s estate and would cut through the grounds to visit the castle, and our lovely Doreen used to work there and had fond memories of the castle and gardens.
Robert Burns
On Thursday 25 January (Burns Night) we chatted about the writer and poet Robert Burns; his life growing up and the history of his stories and songs he wrote, which included ‘Auld Lang Syne’. We discussed why Scotland celebrates this man and his achievements during his life.
As part of our Burns Night celebrations we piped in our Haggis with bagpipes on the iPad, and Paula and Charlotte played the ‘Flower of Scotland’ (the rugby anthem) along with many more bagpipe tunes throughout lunchtime.
A number of our residents were trying haggis for the first time, whilst others had a love of it being from Scotland or surrounding areas. Ada said it was “Not too bad, a little spicy though!” and quite a few of our ladies and gents decided to pass on it!
What a lovely week of going back in time and enjoying some historical facts, photographs and reminiscence together.
