Cardiff care homes invite community to honour VE Day

Two Cardiff care homes are opening their doors to the community to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. 

On Thursday 8^th May, Care UK’s Llys Cyncoed, on Cyncoed Road, and Llys Herbert, on Ty-Draw Road, are welcoming local people to honour the 80^th anniversary of VE Day with nostalgic garden and street parties.

Llys Cyncoed will be hosting their event from 2pm-5pm, while Llys Herbert will be welcoming the community from 3pm-6pm. 

VE Day was celebrated on 8^th May 1945, after Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end. This emotional news sparked celebrations across the country, with many taking to the streets for spontaneous parties.

To honour the 80^th anniversary of VE Day, the team at both homes have been hard at work organising their own special commemorative events, which will see residents and guests enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, entertainment and dancing as they embrace the spirit of the 1940s. 

At Llys Cyncoed, guests can enjoy live entertainment from a fantastic brass band, as well as an informative talk delivered by a member of the Royal British Legion about World War II and the significance of VE Day.

Over at Llys Herbert, attendees will enjoy live entertainment from the local high school orchestra and live music from a full military tribute singer. Guests will also be joined by the Mayor of Cardiff, councillors and the local PCSO to light the beacon. 

Llys Herbert resident, Rachel Chegwin, said: “It is important to remember the end of the war in Europe on VE Day because we should never forget the horrors of the war and the courage of the men and women who fought in it, especially those who died. Everyone was at risk of their lives at one point or another. My mother held a vivid story of hiding under the stairs with me in a moses basket as a German bomber screamed low over the chimney pots in an effort to avoid the guns and search lights nearby. Young as I was, I remember the whine of the sirens and the glorious tea party that seemed to emerge from nowhere on VE Day. It was a day to look back and give thanks and a day to enjoy the promise of the future.”

Gillian Irish, Home Manager at Llys Herbert, said: “We’re passionate about building and maintaining relationships within our community here at Llys Herbert, so we’re pleased to be opening our doors to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day for a special day of sharing memories. 

“This is an incredibly important milestone for many residents, and we’re keen to honour all those involved. Music is also a fantastic way to bring back memories for older people and a wonderful way to bring communities together, so we’re thrilled to have live music to get everyone’s toes tapping.”

Carly Hunt, General Manager at Llys Cyncoed, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our doors to the community for VE Day. The event is a chance to re-awaken old memories and offers a meaningful way for older people, and those living with dementia, to connect with others and celebrate a momentous event in our history. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and old faces into Llys Cyncoed for a nostalgic and heartwarming day to remember!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Llys Cyncoed provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The home has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

Llys Herbert is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.