Memorabilia from the last century is the backdrop for a special event commemorating the world wars to be held this week at St Catherine’s.
A Royal Artillery dress uniform, an ATS soldier’s service book belonging to resident Agnes Ramsay, a book of notes and doodles dating from the Great War, sheet music and contemporary publications are among the artefacts which have been collected by the care home’s activities coordinator, Richard Dobinson, for a reminiscence project culminating at St Catherine’s on Friday, 9 May.
Residents and their families have offered the items for display and Richard has arranged for representatives from Beamish Museum to bring some souvenirs from the time and give a talk about the war efforts.
The highlight of the event will be the presentation of Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps Veteran’s Badge to resident Agnes Armstrong which Richard applied for on her behalf from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
“The commemoration is going to be a fantastic event,” says Richard, “As well as the presentation, there are ten children coming from Kenton Bar Primary School who will be performing a song they have written with illustrations, we will have the room decorated with flags and posters and there will be tea and cakes.”
The event starts at 2pm this Friday.