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Bonehill Lodge resident, Thelma, 83, reunited with Tamworth Ladies choir in special care home performance

Thoughtful staff at a care home in Bonehill have reunited resident Thelma Peet with the choir she was part of for more than 30 years.

The 83 year old, who lives at Bonehill Lodge on Park Lane, performed across the region as a member of Tamworth Ladies Choir but her singing came to an end when she developed dementia four years ago.

Staff at the 26 bedroomed family-run home knew how much music and singing meant to Thelma and arranged a special performance by some of its members.

“We wanted to give Thelma the joy of not only meeting up with friends she spent so much time with, but also the opportunity to perform with them,” said the home’s manager, Mandy Chapman.

“She has a CD of the choir and we were able to use that to practice one of Thelma’s favourites, All Things Bright and Beautiful, so she could feel confident on the day. She still has a lovely voice!”

Residents took their seats in the home’s lounge to watch Thelma perform with five members of the choir, who also treated them to favourites from musicals such as Oliver and The King and I. Her husband, John, said the music had a great impact on her.

“She knew her friends straight away,” he said. “She was a little shy at first but as the music progressed, I could see the enjoyment spread across her face. She had a very happy afternoon, the staff at the home did a wonderful thing for her.”

Music has been a family passion for Thelma, who met John when they both worked for the East Midlands Electricity Board in the late 1950s. Her sister was a singer in church choirs and her father was a violinist who kept silent-film audiences entertained at the Grand cinema on George Street.

Rhona Pownall from Tamworth Ladies Choir said it was wonderful to perform with Thelma again.

“It was so moving when Thelma came to join us and sing the pieces that she remembered,” Rhona said. “Not only did she know the words, but also sang the familiar alto part which surprised all of us!

“The residents requested favourite songs, and this was quite a challenge, but the ladies coped admirably. This was the first we’d performed at Bonehill Lodge, and we all loved the experience. The choir has been asked to return, and we hope it will become a regular occurrence. We hope Thelma will sing with us again, whether that’s from the front of the room or from the audience. It’ll be lovely to hear her voice.”

The personalised care provided at Bonehill Lodge means the team make music part of every day for Thelma, who also loves the entertainers who come to the home.

“Music is popular among all of our residents,” said Mandy, “but for those with dementia, like Thelma, who find conversation difficult, it’s a great way to communicate. Finding that the words to songs are still there is very empowering for them and we enjoy time together, singing and moving to the music.

“We take the time to understand who our residents are and what they love so we can make those things part of their day to day life.”

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