CARE home residents in Gillingham headed back to the 60s for one night only as they attended their own festival.

Fern Brook Lodge care home, off Fern Brook Lane, hosted a 60s festival featuring a line-up of local singers and musicians, including some carers, performing a range of songs from yesteryear.

Some favourites included Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra, Stand by Me by Ben E. King, and What’s New Pussy Cat? by Tom Jones.

The event was organised by care assistants Tracy Weeks and Cara Shearwood who wanted to enable the residents to celebrate the end of the summer and kick off the autumn season in style.

Performers on the bill included Danny Jukebox, Lee Knott, Tasha Gray, another care assistant, and Gillingham Imperial Silver Band featuring Taylor Crowther, senior care assistant at the home.

Fern Brook Lodge resident, Rosemary, dancing with her daughter at the 60s festival Picture: Care South

Ms Weeks said: “We know that many of the residents enjoy going to festivals and listening to live music, so we thought that we’d arrange our own festival for them to attend with music from their era.

“Some of the residents don’t often attend group activities, but we know that they all enjoy music as it lifts their spirits and they love to get up and have a sing and a dance, so we thought that this would be a good idea.”

Margaret, a resident at Fern Brook Lodge, said: “It was a very enjoyable afternoon. The music featured songs that everybody could enjoy.

“My favourite song is My Way by Frank Sinatra which Danny Jukebox sang. It was the first time we’ve had that 60s festival event, and I’d definitely like to do it again.”

Deb Wiltshire, home manager at Fern Brook Lodge, said: “It was lovely to see the residents singing, dancing and having fun at our 60s festival which was a wonderful way to bring everyone together.

“At Care South, we love to find out about the interests and passions of the residents and then we enable them to keep pursuing those interests, which includes getting to enjoy the experience of listening to live music.”

Taylor Crowther with grandad, Lee Knott, who performed at Fern Brook Lodge’s 60s festival Picture: Care South

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of the not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides specialist residential, respite, and dementia care.

It also features The Brook community space which plays host to a range of events including the free-to-attend Memory Cafe every Tuesday from 10am to 11am for people living with dementia and memory loss and their carers.

The session is run by Deb Wiltshire, Home Manager at Fern Brook Lodge, with support from Dementia Friendly Gillingham.

For more information about the care services available, go to care-south.co.uk or call Care South on 01202 712410.