How a community has rallied to make sure Thornton care home residents mark Remembrance Sunday

Concerned that the 14 residents at The Conifers, in Victoria Road East, would miss the annual service this Sunday because of lockdown, owner Suzanne Clague put a social media appeal out to the community to help them mark the occasion by filling the gardens with poppies. As part of it, she also asked if local school children would write to the residents, who have an average age of 95.

And since then, no fewer than 800 letters have arrived.

Now, Suzanne and the staff, are putting together a special, half hour Remembrance Sunday service, which will take place in the safety of the care home.

They will sing Abide with Me, 15-year-old musician Poppy Taylor, who lives in Thornton, has offered to play The Last Post and they will mark the two minutes silence. “It’s more poignant than ever this year, we’re amazed by the community spirit,” said Suzanne. "We should never forget our elderly, they fought for us and we wouldn't have had our freedom without them. It's such an important occasion for them. I have been amazed at the community spirit shown. We have had hampers donated for the residents, a three-year-old even brought some little hand made wooden poppies for us." With all the kind donations, staff have decorated and lit the care home grounds for Remembrance Day.