• Lear House, Darmonds Green, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 5DT

Abbeyfield
Hoylake & West Kirby

An Afternoon of Poetry with Anne

Have you ever had one of those afternoons that’s just filled with warmth, laughter and a touch of poetry? Well, we certainly did at Abbeyfield Lear House, part of Abbeyfield Hoylake & West Kirby, during our recent Reading Session with Anne.

Anne’s sessions are always a hit, and this one was no exception. Imagine our cosy lounge filled with smiling faces, cups of tea and, intriguingly, a table adorned with beautiful, vibrant daffodils. Now, here’s a little clue for you, these cheerful flowers were not just a decoration. They were a hint towards the star poem of the day, William Wordsworth’s beloved classic, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”

If you’re raising your eyebrows, thinking, “Which poem is that again?”, you might know it better as the “daffodil poem”. It’s an absolute favourite here at Lear House, and some of our talented residents can proudly recite every word from memory (which impresses us every time!).

Several elderly women relax in chairs, some holding papers as they discuss poetry. In the afternoon light, Annes walking frame stands prominently in the foreground.
In the afternoon, light spilling through large windows, Anne speaks into a microphone. The four elderly women, captivated by the poetry she shares, sit attentively beneath the clocks quiet ticking.

A quick dip into literary history (because who doesn’t love a good story behind a poem?) tells us Wordsworth was inspired during a walk with his sister Dorothy around Glencoyne Bay in the Lake District. Picture it: April 1802, with fields of golden daffodils fluttering in the breeze beside the lake. Dorothy captured this delightful scene in her diary, describing the flowers “fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” Wordsworth later transformed her lovely observations into the timeless verses we cherish today.

During our afternoon together, Anne beautifully guided us through the poem’s rhythm and meaning, sparking lively discussions and sharing personal memories of nature’s beauty. The daffodils in the poem aren’t simply flowers, they’re symbols of joy and the gentle power of nature to lift our spirits and linger in our memories.

Anne stands speaking to five seated elderly individuals in a bright room, sharing her poetry. They seem to be listening attentively while holding papers. A vase with yellow flowers sits on a table beside them, adding a touch of warmth to the setting.
Anne, a spirited leader, guides the group of elderly women one afternoon. They sit in orange chairs, engaged in poetry activities. Nearby, a vase of daffodils brightens the cosy room.
A group of elderly women sit in chairs at a care home, holding papers, as Anne stands and reads poetry to them. Daffodils add a touch of colour on a small table in the foreground, brightening the afternoon gathering.
In the bright afternoon light streaming through large windows, Anne recites her poetry into a microphone to a group of elderly women. Wheelchairs and walking frames are scattered about the cosy room.

At Abbeyfield Lear House, we’re all about creating community-centric living experiences. Our adaptable care allows everyone to participate comfortably and enjoyably. Events like Anne’s poetry afternoons perfectly highlight our ethos, providing meaningful, enjoyable activities that engage and delight our residents.

By the end of the afternoon, it wasn’t just the daffodils on the table dancing. Our hearts were doing a little jig too, uplifted by the beautiful poetry and the warmth of good company.

Next time you spot some daffodils, maybe pause for a moment and recite a line or two of Wordsworth’s poem. Or even better, pop in and join us for one of our next poetry sessions, Anne always has a spare chair waiting for friends new and old!

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