The Swallows Gazette
No. 12Sample issueThe Swallows care home
Front page
Packed house for the spring bingo
On Saturday afternoon the dining room turned into a party hall: forty-two players, residents, families and neighbours, competed for lines and full houses. The first prize, a hamper prepared by the kitchen team, went to a resident from the second floor, who promised to share it with her table. Volunteers from the local residents' association ran the refreshments, and the grandchildren took turns calling the numbers. The autumn bingo is already in the diary.
Life at the home
Life story workshop: schooldays
For one session, eight residents went back to their school desks. A dip pen, a slate and an old class photo were passed from hand to hand. Talk turned to grey smocks, merit points and the playground where everyone played marbles. Next session: a working life. Everyone is welcome to bring a tool or a photo.
The children from the school next door came back
A class of eight-year-olds came to sing and read poems. The pupils had prepared questions for the residents: "What was it like without phones?", "What was your favourite game?". The answers caused plenty of laughter on both sides. The teachers have offered to come back every term.
The library now visits on Tuesdays
The library trolley does its round every Tuesday at 3 pm. Large-print books, audiobooks and magazines: just ask at reception to reserve a title.
This month's birthdays
Happy birthday!
Germaine B. — April 3 Roger T. — April 11 Aimée L. — April 26
Welcome to…
They have joined us
Odette M. — since April 8. A former seamstress, she has already offered to take up the hems for the whole house.
The memory of the house
My first tractor
Marcel R. remembers…
I was fifteen when my uncle let me drive the tractor for the first time. It was a small grey model that had to be cranked by hand when it was cold. He showed me once, just once, and said: "Now, the bottom field. And keep it straight." I have never stared at a…
Read the full story in B.ond
The blue dress for the dance
Yvonne P. remembers…
For my first dance, my mother cut a dress from a length of blue fabric bought at the market. She spent three evenings on it, by lamplight. I was so afraid of staining it that I hardly drank anything all night. I danced with a boy from the next village who…
Read the full story in B.ond