A care home in Quorn made a resident’s wish to see a tap dance performance come true.
Lifelong dance lover and Fred Astaire enthusiast, Jennifer Cornaby, aged 85, and a resident at Care UK’s Lonsdale Mews, on Farley Way, danced in a number of shows on stage from a very young age – and wished to see a tap dance show once again.
As part of the wishing tree initiative, the team at Lonsdale Mews encourage residents to submit wishes, no matter how big or small, whether they’re related to something they’ve never been able to do, or something they’d like to do again.
Jennifer, and her childhood best friend Brenda, used to make up dance routines when they were 14 years old, spending all their time practicing and forming a dancing duo where they called themselves ‘The Astaires’. The pair used to choreograph the routines and then perform them all over Lincolnshire and Leicestershire at dance shows and clubs.
Upon hearing about her unique hobby, the team at Lonsdale Mews decided to get in touch with the local Quorn AMC Dance Group and got busy organising a special visit to make Jennifer’s wish come true.
On the day, Jennifer enjoyed her very own tap dance show where she was able to watch and tap her feet along to the dancers who performed Fred Astaire’s ‘Top Hat White Tie and Tails’ and ‘Putting on the Ritz’. Following the performance, Jennifer and the residents enjoyed tea and home-made cake, and chatted about their favourite parts of the show.
Jennifer said: “It was such a special afternoon and made me think back to the good times that Brenda and I had on the stage – I loved it.”
Toby Sturgess, Home Manager at Lonsdale Mews, said: “We had a wonderful time watching the impressive performance from the local Quorn AMC Dance Group, and Jennifer loved every minute of it.
“Jennifer often shares fond memories of dancing in her younger years and I’m thrilled we were able to create new memories with this special performance.
“We’re delighted we were able to make this happen for her – the tears in her eyes when the dancers performed to Fred Astaire said it all. Thank you again to the very talented Quorn AMC Dance Group for helping us to make Jennifer’s wish come true!”
Lonsdale Mews offers full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite. The home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.
To find out more about Lonsdale Mews, please call Customer Relations Manager, Jenny Cartwright, on 01509 801 587, or email jenny.cartwright@careuk.com
To find out more about Lonsdale Mews, visit: careuk.com/lonsdale-mews