First World War centenary marked by Ripon care home residents

RIPON care home residents have been creating poppy displays to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Residents at Sycamore Hall Care Home, on Kearsley Road, have also taken a trip to Ripon Cathedral to see The Remembrance Day exhibits.

The activities brought back memories for many of the residents, who had relatives and friends who fought and died in the war.

Doreen Ainsley and Ellen Knowles were among those painting poppies for displays in the care home.

Doreen said: “It is a time to remember the people we have lost during the war.”

Ellen added: “I think we all lost someone in the war and the poppy displays make you remember things.”

As part of the First World War centenary, the home’s staff arranged a visit to Ripon Cathedral, where displays of poppies have been laid out for visitors.

For one resident, Sylvia Nelson, the trip was a walk down memory lane.

She said: “Mum and dad were married in the cathedral. I was christened in the cathedral and married there.

“Both my children were christened in the cathedral and I went to the cathedral school.”

Chrissie Medway Steele, home manager at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “To commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War the residents wanted to do something special.

“The centenary brings back a lot of memories for many of the residents and they were all very enthusiastic about making poppies for displays around the home.

“The trip to Ripon Cathedral was also fantastic and everyone really enjoyed it.”