A care home, in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, is opening its doors to the community for a commemorative ceremony.
On Thursday 6th June, from 2pm – 4pm, Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, is welcoming local people to honour the 80th anniversary of D-Day with its very own lamp lighting ceremony. To commemorate the Normandy Landings on 6th June 1944, Care UK is partnering with royal pageant master Bruno Peek, CVO OBE OPR, coordinator of ‘D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace’.
Along with charities supporting the three forces and the Merchant Navy Association, over 100 Care UK homes will take part in this nationwide tribute. At Mercia Grange, the team have been hard at work organising a special commemorative event which will see residents and guests enjoy a 1940s-themed party, complete with bunting, flags, popular wartime songs from singer Tony Wall and the attendance of the British Legion.
The culinary team will serve wartime themed refreshments. The lamp, which represents the peace that followed the end of World War Two, will be lit at 3pm by Gerald Rose, 94, who was part of the army, serving in Africa, Judy Redgrove, 66, who served for 13 years in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, and Roy Hubbard, Chair at the British Legion.
Gerald said: “I am very proud to be chosen to light the lamp. It is so important for the community of veterans to come together to remember this day.
“The Veterans Group in Sutton Coldfield meet regularly and have even had a lunch meeting at Mercia Grange.” Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “Here at Mercia Grange we’re always grateful for an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our neighbours, so we’re looking forward to welcoming the community for a special event marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“This is an incredibly important milestone for many residents, and we’re keen to honour and remember all those involved. Music is a fantastic way to bring back memories for older people and a wonderful way to bring communities together, so we’re thrilled to welcome Tony to get everyone’s toes tapping.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and old faces into Mercia Grange as we mark such a significant moment in history.” Mercia Grange is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia, and short-term respite care.
The three-storey care home, which features 67 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.
