North Devon Nursing Home Throws Birthday Dance Party

Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, North Devon, recently held a birthday celebration for one of its newest family members (the home’s fond term for residents), bringing people together for an afternoon filled with nostalgic music, dancing, and homemade cake.

Helen, described by her daughter as ‘a really fun lady with a wonderful sense of humour’, has been living at the North Devon Nursing home since December 2025, having moved into the home following a hospital stay for a period of respite. To mark her 73^rd birthday, the team arranged a celebration in the lounge. Helen wore a sparkly birthday badge, and everyone sang Happy Birthday as the team presented her with a homemade cake!

Music from across the decades set the tone for the afternoon. Songs such as Country Roads and Let’s Twist Again prompted smiles, singing and movement, with some family members choosing to dance together in the lounge while others joined in from their chairs, clapping or singing along.

The celebration reflected Edenmore’s approach to everyday life in the home, where people are supported to choose to take part in the ways which feel right for them, whether that’s being at the centre of the action or enjoying the atmosphere from a quieter area of the room.

Helen, who has a real fondness for singing, shared about the day, ‘It was one of the best days I have had in a long time!’

Home Manager Gayle shared, ‘For us, it doesn’t matter if you’re living in our home for a few weeks as you get back on your feet or moving in longer-term. For the time you are with us, we want you to feel at home, and we will make a fuss about special occasions like birthdays because that’s what makes each person feel loved and cared for.’

 

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing care in Ilfracombe, North Devon, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com for more information. 

SPRING IS NIGH. Birdwatching in North Devon

The birds are getting lively, the Blackbirds are trilling at dawn - I expect they are getting ready for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which starts today. Here is a beautiful Robin posing for me in the sunshine at Rosemoor last Saturday. Leave a comment if you'll be taking part.

Not sure about the timing, as last year there is heavy rain and another named storm (Storm Ingrid) on the way today in the Southwest which seems to be par for the course for the Big Garden Birdwatch so a good oportunity to have a cup of coffee and count the birds through the window.

Want to attract a variety of birds? By far the favourite food for most of them are Sunflower Hearts but its best to have a variety of birdfood and always keep birdbaths filled up as they need water and love splashing about preening and fluffing their feathers at this time of year

My tips to encourage all types of birds to your garden.

Sunflower hearts - Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Starlings will take over the feeding stations at this time if year.

Peanuts - Blue Tits, Woodpecker, Sparrows, Chaffinch, Robin
 

Niger Seed - Goldfinch, Blue Tit

Sunflower Seeds - Bullfinch
 

Meal Worms - Loved by ground feeders including Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock and Wren
 

Fat balls, Suet cake - all the birds love this

 

Attention -  its time for the Big Garden Birdwatch. Photo copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus

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"Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are doing right now.

Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey 23th-25th January 2026" - Find out more at  RSPB 

Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are doing right now.

Annual Schools Exhibition launch event at the Burton at Bideford

The Burton at Bideford Annual Schools Exhibition launches 2026 with a diverse range of artworks showcasing the talent, imagination and creativity of young people aged 4-18 from the local area. With no set theme, the exhibition is a glimpse into the inspirations and concerns of our next generation of artists. It is also a celebration of their teachers and the contribution of art to encouraging creativity and innovation across the curriculum. Submissions are accepted from schools and colleges across Torridge and neighbouring boroughs, and include artworks in a variety of media. An awards programme organised by The Arts Society North Devon spotlights outstanding entries in the exhibition and culminates in an awards ceremony. You are warmly invited to help celebrate the opening of the exhibition at the gallery on Friday 30th January, 4pm–6pm.  Speeches at 5pm, refreshments kindly provided by Asda.

Artwork from 'The Annual Schools Exhibition', 2023. ----------------------------------- Launch Event The Annual Schools Exhibition - Burton at Bideford Friday 30th January, 4pm – 6pm Exhibition dates: 30th January – 15th  March 2026 👀👀👀 The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ  Tel: 01237 471455 open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm  Entry to galleries is FREE