Residents at Colten Care homes across the region raised a dram, toasted the haggis and even staged their own ‘Highland Games’ to welcome in Burns Night.

HOOTS: Colten Care residents and staff enjoy the Burns Night festivities

Colten’s Avon Cliff in Bournemouth staged its very own version of the famous ‘Highland Games’ for Burns Night.
Colten companion Elise Woolnough explained: “After piping in the haggis and feasting on Scottish scones we divided into two rival ‘clans’ and held three knockout rounds of balloon relay, Beer Pong and the Ring Toss. “Much fun was had by all.”
Resident Dottie Dixon agreed: “There was a real sense of community this afternoon. Everyone got involved and I even played beer pong for the first time.”

At Colten’s Amberwood House in Ferndown staff dressed in tartan and residents enjoyed making shortbread and whisky tasting to toast their haggis.
The home also staged a Scottish-themed Scrabble match.
Canford Chase in Poole celebrated the poet’s life with a Whisky Social, Burns poetry and plenty of singing.
Colten companion Justin Corder said: “We began proceedings with the telling of Robbie Burns’ story and recounting his life and legacy and the first supper held in his honour.
“Bagpipes played The Flower of Scotland by the Royal Scots Dragoon guards as the haggis was shown to the residents, before I addressed it in my best Scottish accent!”
Resident Margaret (or Peggy as she likes to be called), read My love Is Like A Red, Red Rose.
She said: “I was born in Scotland but I did not live there for very long. I enjoyed this afternoon very much, especially the haggis and the whisky.”

HOOTS: Colten Care residents and staff enjoy the Burns Night festivities

At The Aldbury dedicated dementia home, also in Poole, Scottish residents Frank McCouirt and Ruth Taylor were in the spotlight and everyone celebrated with a taste of haggis, washed down with a wee dram of whisky or Irn-Bru.
Resident Winifred Clowery who is 101 years old said: “Gorgeous, wunderbar and lovely,” as she drank her Irn Bru.
Resident Frank enjoyed his haggis with a wee drop of whisky mixed in. And Ruth taught  companion Cara Duroe how to correctly pronounce haggis in a Scottish accent.
The celebrations ended with a Scottish sing-along including Bonnie Banks O’Loch Lomond, Donald’s Where’s Your Troosers? and Auld Lang Syne.

Over at Whitecliffe House in Blandford Forum ex-Colten companion and professional musician Caroline Pugh entertained with some Scottish songs, including some one-to-one singing with residents.
Resident Ruth Horrocks said: “I enjoyed the singing with Caroline and the haggis.”
At Kingfishers in New Milton, members of the New Forest Scottish Dancers took residents and staff for a spin on the dance floor.
And at Abbey View in Sherborne residents enjoyed a traditional feast of Cullen Skink, haggis, neaps and tatties and Raspberry Cranacin.

The haggis was piped in and Jean Picton-Turberville, who is 100 this year, shared stories about her Scottish heritage and fantastic school holidays spent with her granny in Broughty Ferry.