Residents from The Manor House care home in Barnard Castle visited Orchard Cottage in Beamish.

The 1940s farm cottage is full of familiar sights, sounds, smells and tastes for people who lived through the war years. Beamish’s specially trained staff led conversation, reminiscence and activity sessions which included making toast on the open fire, which the residents then enjoyed eating with homemade jam and lots of tea.

Some unusual guests have made a visit to The Manor House care home in Barnard Castle, to the delight of the residents who met them.

Hoot the southern white-faced Scops owl, a tiger salamander named Sam and a French Lop rabbit called Molly to name a few were accompanied by handler Martyn from Teesside-based animal experience company Animal Story.

Whickham Rotary Club has made a donation of £250 to the residents’ fund at The Manor House Whickham to provide extra entertainment activities.

Pictured at The Manor House are Whickham Rotary Club Community Service Committee chairman George Craig and wife Joan Craig, lifestyle coordinator Krysta Bruynson, resident Sheila Jackson, home manager Jane Tworkowski and lifestyle coordinator Maxine Miley.

Mrs Kathleen Thompson celebrated her 100th birthday on 8 February at The Manor House care home in Barnard Castle.

The Mayor of Barnard Castle Councillor John Blisset presented Kathleen with a bouquet of flowers and friends and family enjoyed a special birthday afternoon tea.

Hadrian Healthcare Group has made a donation of £5000 to support the creation of the first dementia friendly garden in a public park in the UK at Springhead Park in Rothwell, Leeds.

Garden project leader and dementia awareness campaigner Peter Smith BEM said: “We’d like to thank Hadrian Healthcare for this very generous donation. The whole community has come together to support the project and we’re delighted to have raised the £35,000 we need to go ahead. We can’t wait to get started.”