Wrexham care home hold surprise concert for residents

Pendine Park’s Hillbury Care Home in Wrexham welcomed The Adderbury String Quartet for an afternoon concert, funded by artist Angela Scott.

Angela hosted a charity art exhibition in honour of her sister Jenny Holbrook, a 91-year-old resident and former Mayor of Knutsford, who suffers with dementia.

The watercolour painter was joined by leading ceramist Caroline Pearce for the fundraiser, which netted more than £3,500 from the sale of 10 of Angela’s paintings while Caroline made a generous donation of £525.

The funds were split between Alzheimer’s Research and Hillbury Care Home, where Angela and Jenny’s niece, Rose Redgrave also helped.

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“It was amazing, it really brought a smile to my face and I just thought to myself, this is just what people with dementia need,” said Angela.

“Jenny was really animated – it was lovely to see. One of the care workers got a lady up to dance and soon, another joined in. There was plenty of foot-tapping and everyone really seemed to enjoy it.

Pictured resident Jennifer Holbrook with her sister Angela Scott

“We had ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Yesterday’ by the Beatles. It was popular music they would remember and enjoy, mainly from the 70s and 80s. Rose plays the viola and teaches as a professor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire so she searched for a playlist that dementia sufferers could respond to."

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Hillbury manager Cindy Clutton added: “It was an extremely successful afternoon and the residents really enjoyed it. Music does make a huge difference to anyone suffering with dementia.

“We had a bit of a waltz and a few of the residents were tapping their fingers or feet.

“It’s been really difficult through Covid but we’re starting to bring entertainment in again now, especially music. It has huge benefits for mental health and seeing new faces is so important for our residents.

“Hillbury is very grateful for everything Angela does. As an artist, she plans to come in and hold some art therapy classes with the residents herself so we’re hoping to do that soon.”

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Angela became a studio potter in Llangollen before teaching part-time at Wrexham College and then bringing up her family. It was after she was asked by a neighbour to illustrate a poetry book she considered returning to painting.

Angela's large watercolour paintings have been exhibited extensively throughout the UK including at the RWS Bankside Gallery in London and the Air Gallery Dover Street, London, as well as winning numerous prizes.