Farm Animals Bring Joy to Young and Old
Henley Manor Care home’s car park on Mill Lane was transformed into a mini farm yesterday afternoon with goats, donkeys, sheep, ducks, guinea pigs, rabbits and ducks thanks to Basil & Crew bringing the animals for the residents to see along with special visitors from St Mary’s School Year 1 and Kindergarten classes.
The children were invited to the home after Year 1 entertained the residents a few weeks ago with some music and poetry.
Sarah Honke, Year 1 Class Teacher said, “It was really kind for the care home to invite us today. The children really like hands-on experiences. They were so excited to see the animals and would stay here all day if they could. They also enjoyed see the residents again after singing for them a few weeks ago.”
Pete Holmes from Basil & Crew said, “We’ve been made very welcome and it’s a very enjoyable event and the weather is even playing ball. It is beautiful to see the interaction between the older people and the children. It really does work and offers unique opportunities that you cannot create.”
General Manager, Ellie Faramarzian from Henley Manor Care Home said, “It was a pleasure to have Basil and Crew Mobile Farm visit us on Thursday. It has been a while since we have been able to host such an activity and you could really see what it meant to the residents. Having animals visit the home brings so much joy, as does having the children from St Mary’s School come to see us, so it was an extra special day having them all here together. We are very much looking forward to hosting similar events in the future, we already have Basil and Crew’s Christmas Grotto booked for a date in December and we will be looking to invite more of the local community. It’s so important to us that the residents get a varied and engaging activities programme here at Henley Manor and occasions like this really support that goal.”
