Residents and team members from care homes, run by OSJCT, marked D-Day with parties to share memories, singalongs from the era, guest performers, afternoon teas and dressing up in 1940s attire. Here is a selection of the ways homes commemorated this momentous occasion.

D-Day at Marston Court, in Oxford, was marked by the home in a special way as Home Manager Sharon visited the site of the D-Day invasion in Normandy. She shared videos from the famous D-Day beaches – Juno and Sword – and boats at sea with residents and team members. Sharon also shared a photo of Prince William who was at the event in Normandy.

Marston Court held an afternoon tea celebration party, where residents thoroughly enjoyed watching Sharon’s videos and seeing photos to get a real feel of Normandy today and how much it has changed. The celebrations concluded with an old-fashioned sing along to wartime favourites. These included We’ll Meet Again, famously sung by soldiers’ sweetheart Vera Lynn.

OSJCT’s newest care home, Wellford Gardens, in Wheatley, hosted the amazing Velvet Tones big band who played 1940s music. Residents, families, and lots of friends from the Wheatley community joined the garden party and enjoyed tea and cakes. The event was supported by wonderful volunteers at the home. Jo, Deputy Manager, arranged for a family friend to bring an army vehicle to the home. It was parked outside for residents and visitors to view. 

At Isis House, in Oxford, teams and visitors took part in a special non-uniform day to commemorate D-Day. The dress code was 1940s classic styles, such as vintage dresses, tailored suits, or any other iconic 1940s attire, and was worn to celebrate together and bring a touch of nostalgia to the day.

Larkrise Care Centre, in Banbury, held a street party to commemorate 80 years since D-Day with singer Donna, who sang many classics from the 1940s. A celebration tea with sandwiches and cakes including fresh scones with clotted cream and jam was served.

Each resident was issued with a ‘ration book’ that doubled up as a menu and an identification card. Team members added to the atmosphere by dressing in 1940s attire.

Residents were interviewed about what they remember from 6 June 1944. Ron Tuckey, who was 16 at the time, remembered having a street party in Brackley. His two older brothers were fighting in different countries during World War 2, and Ron vividly recalled his ID card and ration book. 

Cecelia Howie was 12 at the time, and she remembered street parties with flags out and a big feast. She said: “Everyone was singing and dancing. There were a lot of scones and tarts, big, long tables full of food and lots of sandwiches.” 

Cecelia remembered that she had two brothers and two sisters in the army, but only her brothers took part in the fighting. 

Diana Baskervyle-Glegg, a resident at Madley Park House in Witney, had her article published in a Town Council book to mark the 80th anniversary of D Day. The Deputy Mayor and Town Cryer came to present Diana with a copy of the book on 6 June, and they discussed Diana’s pride in her late husband’s involvement in the planning of the D Day landings.

Diana spent many days at Burford Library using books and the intranet to carry out research for her article. Congratulations Diana, we are really proud of you.