Former RAF Soldier Joins VE Day Celebrations in Doncaster
Dunniwood Lodge Care Home in Bessacarr, Doncaster marked VE Day with something few people get to experience: an afternoon listening to a former RAF soldier share his stories in person, surrounded by residents who lived through the era themselves.
Paul Grimley, National Chairman of the RAF Regiment Association, visited Dunniwood Lodge to spend the day with residents, bringing with him kit and artefacts from both World Wars. For many residents, it was a chance to reminisce and to share their own stories.
The day had been shaped in part by the residents themselves. Residents Lynn and Keith worked alongside Wellbeing Lead Laura to create a wartime display, with Keith's own tank clock taking pride of place at its centre. It also included wartime adverts, old recipe books and ration books. Vintage vocalist Paula Marie performed songs from the era and the kitchen team prepared a wartime-themed menu of corned beef pie, spam and beef stew and an old-fashioned trifle for dessert.
Gemma, Home Manager at Dunniwood, said: "It was fantastic to watch residents and team members come together to remember and reminisce. Our residents have so much to offer and days like this are a reminder of how important it is to create space for those stories to be heard."