Salisbury Care Home’s Charity Barbecue Hits All The Right Notes

Residents at a family-owned Salisbury nursing home welcomed dozens of guests for a music-filled summer barbecue in aid of a hospital charity.

Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge staged the get-together to help its good cause for the year, Salisbury Hospital League of Friends.

Chefs and waiting staff working from the Tea House in the home’s award-winning garden served up home-cooked tasty treats including kebabs and burgers.

And Salisbury-based singer and guitarist Dave Dawson entertained the party with country, rock and jazz covers, taking song requests from guests.

Among the residents welcoming visitors was Dora Williams who caught up with old friend Susan Carey.

Dora, who helps look after the garden, said: “We have such a beautiful outdoor space here and it was a joy to show it off once again to family and friends.”

The barbecue was part of a fundraising campaign for the League of Friends that has already raised more than £1,000 this year.

Trustee Alix Ricketts, who attended the barbecue along with other charity volunteers, said: “We rely totally on donations and are so grateful for the home’s fundraising. A big thank-you goes to everyone involved.”

Braemar Lodge chose the League of Friends as its main charity this year under a Colten Care policy of enabling residents at all its 20 homes to support good causes in the community.

In line with its overall focus on residents’ quality of life, the Stratford Road home has a growing reputation for the excellence of its garden.

Earlier this summer it held its first open day under the National Garden Scheme and in successive years it has won gold medals at the Salisbury City Council Garden Awards.