When Britons Croft offered us a budgie, little did we know how it would become such a big part of the daily routine. You may have read that the residents decided to call her Valerie Bluebell, but they also thought she could do with a bit of company.

It was with this in mind Andrew and I accompanied two residents to a local garden centre, who had another budgie for sale. We made straight for the pet’s department and were told that they had only one female left, a lovely Yellow/Green bird, which we promptly purchased and brought back to Valerie Manor as soon as we could.

The new companion for Valerie Bluebell, was eagerly anticipated as residents and staff gathered to welcome the new arrival.

I am very pleased to say that Valerie Bluebell and her new friend Emerald are getting along famously – most of the time!

Valerie Bluebell has also made a name for herself recently by featuring in the local press.

Our gardener Clare has certainly done us proud with her planting at Valerie Manor – to compliment the daffodils that have recently sprouted throughout the grounds, we’ve now a beautiful display of tulips in deep reds and yellows as you enter the home. She has certainly achieved her goal of creating a beautiful garden full of colour. Thanks Clare!

Welcome to our new blog site – we hope you like it. You can still view our past blog items (prior to March 2012) by clicking here.

As you may know, Britons Croft care home in Steyning is sadly closing down. I was visited last Thursday by one of our local district nurses who suggested that Valerie Manor would be a good home for their budgie who would become homeless if not housed. I was delighted by the offer and by Friday we had a new resident! By chance our monthly residents’ meeting was planned for Friday morning and to close the meeting we introduced our new budgie and I was delighted with the response – it has made the residents so happy. The Budgie did not have a name so we asked the residents for suggestions…. as discussions were being had one resident, Chris shouted out…. ’well you have to call it Valerie of course!’ This was agreed although everyone also liked the suggestion of Bluebell by Nancy…. therefore we have welcomed ‘Valerie Bluebell’ to Valerie Manor.

I was also delighted when I found out that Andrew, one of our care assistants used to have an Avery and he has agreed to co-ordinate all the care for Valerie Bluebell with the residents, it also generated a lot of conversation as several of our residents used to have budgies at home so it brought back a lot of memories for us all.

Thank you so much to the district nurses and staff at Britons Croft for thinking about us and bringing smiles to all of our residents.

Following our residents’ meeting in February we were asked to develop the lounge in the original building into a library and quiet area. Now that we have overcome the problems of damp we are delighted to say that the lounge has now re-opened as a library and area where residents can go and read, entertain guests or play board games. The TV has been removed and the seating areas are cosy and peaceful – I must say I am delighted with the results and think that the residents’ idea was a fantastic one. Hopefully visitors will enjoy the beautiful old setting when they enjoy a drink with their family or friend.