Crandon Springs residents saddle up for Wild West day

Cowboy hats, country music and a member of staff dressed as a cow brought a change of scene for residents at Crandon Springs Care Home.

The home's Memory Lane community was decorated as a Western ranch, with residents and staff playing Buckaroo and hoop the cactus and posing for wanted-style photographs.

For resident Neville, who spent much of his working life as a dairy farmer, the sight of a staff member in a cow costume prompted a familiar response. Smiling, he said: "We've got a lot of work to do!"

Country music, including songs by Dolly Parton, accompanied the activities. Residents later sat down to burgers, hot dogs, potatoes and beans before an evening screening of a Western film.

Resident Margaret said: "This is lovely; you have changed the whole place. It feels like we have gone somewhere completely different today".

Marion added: "I've had such a laugh today. Everyone looks so funny in their cowboy hats. It's nice when we all do something together like this."

General manager Darius Ivana said: "We wanted our residents to feel that something special was happening at the home. They were right in the middle of it, enjoying themselves, talking and laughing with staff, and creating new memories while reconnecting with parts of their past."