Celebrating Community, Creativity, and Connections
This summer has been filled with moments of creativity and togetherness for our community. From exhibitions of national significance to our own home-grown celebrations, we’ve had so much to share.
A Visit to the Chiltern Open Air Museum
One of the highlights was our trip to the Chiltern Open Air Museum, where residents were able to experience The Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War—a spectacular 60-metre knitted and crocheted tapestry marking 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Every three-dimensional panel has been lovingly stitched by volunteers, capturing stories of courage, resilience, and everyday life on the British home front during World War II.
The project began in 2024 when Normandy-based retiree Tansy Forster unveiled The Longest Yarn, an 80-metre tribute to the D-Day landings inspired by the film The Longest Day (1962). The sequel, Britain at War, has been travelling the country ever since—growing with new panels at every stop. By the time it arrived at COAM, it featured over 60 intricate and moving scenes.
A Taste of Home: Baking Together
Closer to home, our residents have been busy baking, enjoying sessions that not only filled the air with delicious aromas but also provided wonderful opportunities for exercising cognitive skills. This month’s favourites included rock cakes, rice pudding, and cookies—simple, comforting treats that brought smiles all round.
Special Celebrations
We’ve marked several resident birthdays recently, including one truly remarkable milestone—a very special 100th birthday. Its an honour to be able to celebrate such a momentous occasion together.
A Summer to Remember
This summer also saw our largest gathering yet, with around 100 people coming together to enjoy the sunshine, live background music, and a traditional afternoon tea in our glorious gardens. The weather was perfect, allowing everyone to relax and make memories in a wonderful setting.
Throughout the season, residents also made the most of the sunshine with picnics, walks into town, and coffee outings. We feel truly blessed to have enjoyed such a beautiful summer.
Looking Ahead to Autumn
