The final heat of ExtraCare's Stars in our Eyes competition
involved residents and staff from all over the country, many of
whom were new to performing when they came to ExtraCare.
Lark Hill Village resident Beryl Russon, who performed a song by
Norman Wisdom, said that she has discovered that being on stage
gives her confidence. "I only started a couple of years ago, but
now I'm part of the drama group and I do other acts as well," she
said. "I even do Lili Marleen wearing stockings and a garter, but
that's a bit too racy for something like this!"
The choir from St Crispin Village dedicated their musical
performance to one of their team, Colin, who passed away
recently.
Residents and staff from Camoys Court in Stoke-on-Trent, who had
a combined age of 634, did a cancan dance by waving legs made out
of draft excluders at the audience. 91-year-old resident Doris
Bromley, who has lived at the housing scheme for three and a half
years, said that the group had not practised much: "We never
expected to be chosen to perform today, but we're relying on our
natural talent to get us through!"
ExtraCare's Traditions and Events Manager Donna Ball thanked all
of the residents for participating and also the activities staff
for their help in organising the event at the Chrysalis Theatre in
Milton Keynes.
Berryhill Village's Gladys Ball, who sang Wind Beneath My Wings,
was asked by Donna to sing at ExtraCare's Blackpool Tower event
next year. "I love singing," Gladys said. "I sing in the shower,
around the flat, everywhere I go. If I come to Blackpool, I'll
definitely be singing there."
Additional entertainment was provided by Beacon Park Village's
Activity Facilitator Keir Pedley, who sang with a friend,
sixteen-year-old Tom Edis, who also sang several songs alone. Tom
was a big hit with many of the ladies, who were all eager to get a
picture with him! Lovat Fields residents Sharda Patel and Christine
Ward said they were both impressed by how smart he looked.
Picture: St Crispin Village resident Elsie Lewis
with Tom Edis.
See pictures on Flickr!
For further information, please contact:
Lucy Henson, PR officer
0789 105 3062
lucy.henson@extracare.org.uk