Banstead Care Home Residents Sing Down Memory Lane

Residents of local care home, Sunrise of Banstead were treated to a trip down memory lane and an afternoon of entertainment as part of a special concert series organised by The Not Forgotten on Monday 20th July.

The Not Forgotten, a British Armed Forces charity for serving and ex-service men and women recently launched Those Not Forgotten Years, a nationwide outdoor concert tour of care homes to entertain, boost morale and lift spirits by reaching 1000’s of residents across the country.

Around 50 residents and members of staff all dressed in red, white and blue gathered in the grounds for the Surrey concert – at a suitable social distance, for a memorable afternoon to lift the lockdown blues.

Residents sang along, tapped their feet and waved flags as The Not Forgotten professional entertainment team of singers and musicians performed a set of popular classics and rousing favourites from the 30’s to the 60’s including a poignant special tribute to the late Dame Vera Lynn.

Commenting on the day, Suzanne Garston, General Manager, Sunrise of Banstead said: We always celebrate the VE day event within the community but to have visitors come and share this with us at this difficult social distancing time has been amazing and it is very important to our residents to have these special dates NOT FORGOTTEN. An emotional but happy time spent today.”

Brigadier James Stopford, CBE, CEO of The Not Forgotten said: “Sadly, events to commemorate VE Day, VJ Day and D Day could not take place properly this year, so we were determined to help WW2 veterans and those who have served their country mark these important days by bringing the celebrations to them.”