October at James’ Place: A Month Bursting with Fun and Creativity
Dear gentle JP readers,
October at James’ Place was bursting with fun and creativity!
From an Alice in Wonderland, themed adventure and homemade baking, to celebrating Diwali and pumpkin picking, our members made the most of the season.
We even joined Dashwood Care Home for some brilliant pumpkin carving, before finishing the month with a terrifyingly good Halloween party. What a fantastic way to wrap up October!
Down the Rabbit Hole We Go!
Our James’ Place members tumbled down the rabbit hole this month for a truly whimsical Alice in Wonderland adventure!
The room was filled with laughter, colour, and creativity as everyone embraced the theme in style. Members rolled up their sleeves to bake their very own Queen of Hearts jam tarts and freshly made scones, filling James’ Place with the sweet aroma of homemade treats.
Once the baking was complete, the fun continued with a flurry of arts and crafts, creating wonderfully eccentric Mad Hatter hats and beautifully decorated teacups.
To bring it all together, everyone gathered for a charming afternoon tea, complete with their delicious bakes and handmade decorations.
It was a delightful celebration of friendship, imagination, and creativity, a truly mad and magical tea party straight out of Wonderland!
Whisking Up Confidence in the Kitchen
Our talented James’ Place members have been busy in the kitchen this month, practising their baking and cooking skills and discovering a love for trying new recipes.
With enthusiasm and teamwork, they rolled, shaped, and baked delicious homemade pretzels, mastering the perfect golden twist.
The culinary adventure continued with the creation of fresh samosas, filled with flavour and spice, giving everyone the chance to explore new tastes and techniques.
It was a wonderful way for members to build confidence, share ideas, and enjoy the satisfaction of making something truly delicious from scratch.
A Festival of Light at James’ Place
To celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light, our James’ Place members came together to honour one of the most joyful and meaningful celebrations in Hindu culture.
Diwali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Rooted in the ancient story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his victory over the demon king Ravana, the festival is marked by homes and streets across the world glowing with oil lamps, candles, and colourful lights, welcoming peace, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead.
At James’ Place, members fully embraced the festive spirit by creating their own beautiful rangoli patterns, carefully crafted with bright colours and intricate designs to symbolise good fortune.
They also made their own lanterns, adding a magical sparkle to our space and reflecting the light and hope that Diwali represents.
The celebration was filled with laughter, creativity, and a sense of togetherness as members learned about the cultural significance of Diwali while sharing stories and traditions.
Happy Halloween
We had a frightfully fun afternoon when our friends from Dashwood Care Home joined us at the barn for some pumpkin carving and Halloween treats!
The space was filled with laughter and creativity as everyone got stuck into carving their spooky designs, from friendly faces to fearsome jack-o’-lanterns.
Earlier that morning, our talented James’ Place members had been busy in the barn preparing a delicious Halloween afternoon tea, which everyone enjoyed together after the carving fun.
The spread included mummy brownies, boo-berry pies, quivering quiches, and mini Halloween pizzas, all lovingly homemade and perfectly themed for the occasion.
It was a wonderful afternoon of community, creativity, and plenty of spooky smiles.
Pumpkin Picking Adventure
Our James’ Place members enjoyed a fantastic autumn outing to Rotherwick Pick Your Own for a day of pumpkin picking in the crisp October sunshine.
Surrounded by colourful fields and the scent of autumn in the air, everyone had a wonderful time searching for the perfect pumpkin, from tiny, round ones to huge, lopsided giants!
The trip was filled with laughter, muddy boots, and plenty of photo opportunities.
A Spooktacular Halloween Party
To finish off a fantastic month, our James’ Place members celebrated in style with a spooktacular Halloween party!
The barn was transformed with eerie decorations and plenty of spooky surprises as everyone got into the spirit by dressing up in their best costumes, from friendly witches to party pumpkins.
The afternoon was packed with fun party games, including the ever-popular Frankenstein Pick or Treat, before everyone headed to the sensory room for a lively Halloween disco filled with music, laughter, and dancing.
It was the perfect way to end an amazing October, full of creativity, friendship, and frightful fun!
What’s Next at James’ Place?
What another fantastic month at James’ Place, full of smiles, friendship, celebrations, and community.
We can’t wait to share with you what we get up to next month!
Stay tuned.