Priors House hits the right note with Vera Lynn sing-along

Home news

Mar 28, 2017

Residents at Priors House sung their hearts out when they celebrated Vera Lynn’s 100^th birthday by joining a nationwide sing-along.

Residents from Priors House enjoyed a day of singing in celebration of the forces’ sweetheart’s milestone birthday.

The local community joined residents for the day, and enjoyed turning back the clock to sing the popular wartime song “We’ll Meet Again”.

Everyone got in the party spirit for the celebration with the Priors House team dressing in period attire including army uniform and 1940’s frocks complete with rollers. Musical entertainment was provided by local singer, Maggie O’Hara. There were also wartime refreshments on offer for guests, including spam and jam and sugar sandwiches.

BBC Newsnight also visited the home to speak to residents and discuss their memories of Vera Lynn, and why the song, “We’ll Meet Again”, is so important for those that lived through the war.

Home manager at Priors House, Francine Summers, said: “We had a brilliant day celebrating Vera Lynn’s 100^th birthday and the residents thoroughly enjoyed singing memorable hits from their younger years.

“Singing can be a powerful reminiscence activity, and many of the residents will have grown up listening to Vera Lynn’s music. Even when memories become particularly hard to remember, often music can still be recalled, so a group sing-along can be calming for those living with dementia, and can encourage them to talk about memories from their childhood.”

Jon Sneath, lifestyle coordinator at Priors House, who organised the singalong added: “It was great to be joined by the local community for this special celebration. Everyone commented how much they enjoyed the sing-along and taking a trip down memory lane for the milestone occasion.”

More than 50 Care UK homes took part in the nationwide sing-along, culminating in a filmed tribute to the national treasure