The Firs care home in felixstowe builds a retro bar for its residents

Staff at a care home in Felixstowe have spent months working with activity group The Men’s Shed to create a retro bar for all its residents.

The Peewit Lounge, named after a nearby hill, at Anchor’s The Firs in Grange Road will be officially opened on Care Home Open Day on Friday 28 June.

Residents, their relatives and staff will be able to enjoy a wide variety of drinks and activities in the Art Deco bar as part of home’s packed programme of events.

Manager Anna Richards said: “We decided to turn one of the unused lounges into the retro bar after we asked residents what they would like to see at The Firs.

“This has generated a lot of excitement and one of our former residents, Gillian Rutherford, came up with the name as the home is on top of Peewit Hill.

“The bar will be used for reminiscence sessions as many of our residents would have spent many happy times in pubs when they were younger. We have many future events planned for the retro bar including casino nights, cocktail parties, general meetings and residents’ parties.

“I would like to thank The Men’s Shed. Without their fantastic help and guidance, this project would have never been completed. They have made the residents so happy.”

While members of The Men’s Shed have been working on building the bar area, The Firs’ Handyman Brian Mann has been putting up brick wallpaper along the adjoining corridor, painting the residents’ doors and putting on proper door knockers so the corridor looks like a street leading up to the bar.

Catering Assistant Jim Lait has also painted one of the doors to look like a post box to add to the residential setting.

The residents had been looking forward to the official opening of The Peewit Lounge after watching the bar being built over several months.

For resident John Kennet, the opening of the bar brought back many happy memories.

Grandfather John, 87, said: “I used to work in a hotel so there were parties every night. I used to love it – I got paid for being there.”

While for fellow resident Margarete Hughes, 81, who said her favourite tipple is a glass of whisky, said she and her family were looking forward to having a drink during the planned quiz nights.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the Firs, can phone 0800 731 2020.