Harvest Cheer, Friendship and Community Spirit at The Dower House

The evening brought together residents, staff, friends and guests for a memorable celebration of the harvest season, complete with delicious food, music, laughter and plenty of opportunities to support local charities.

A special highlight of the evening was the attendance of Rev Paul Bradish and his wife, Helen, who joined residents for the celebrations. Rev Paul kindly said grace before supper, helping to mark the occasion with warmth and reflection. Their presence was greatly appreciated by everyone and added a meaningful touch to the evening. Chris Golding, Chief Operating Officer, and Matron Ellie Abrams were also pleased to join residents for the event.

Following grace, everyone enjoyed a delicious harvest supper prepared by our talented kitchen team, led by Meryl. Residents were treated to a hearty bowl of warming soup, followed by a beautifully presented ploughman’s lunch and a delightful harvest fruit fool for dessert. Mulled spiced apple juice proved particularly popular, whilst others celebrated with a glass of Prosecco.

As always, the evening was about much more than the food. Our activities team organised a lively harvest quiz, music and a selection of seasonal poems, beautifully read by Ellie and Christine. These thoughtful touches brought everyone together and created a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening.

A highlight of the event was the raffle, with proceeds going towards our chosen charity, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Thanks to the generosity of residents, families and staff, valuable funds were raised for this important local service.

The spirit of giving extended beyond The Dower House through generous donations of tins and dried foods for The Winchester Beacon. These much-needed contributions will help support people experiencing homelessness and hardship within our local community.

Just when everyone thought the evening could not become any more enjoyable, a selection of favourite ABBA songs began to play. Before long, the room was filled with singing, laughter and plenty of toe-tapping as residents embraced the music and brought the celebrations to a joyful close.

Christine Farmery, Activities Co-ordinator at The Dower House, said:

“Our Harvest Festival Supper is always one of the highlights of the year. It’s a lovely opportunity to bring people together, enjoy good food and celebrate everything that the harvest season represents. Seeing residents sharing stories, singing along to the music and enjoying each other’s company made the evening very special.”

A special thank you goes to Meryl and the kitchen team for creating such a wonderful meal, to Rev Paul and Helen for joining us, and to everyone who supported the raffle and food collection.

The evening was a perfect reflection of what life at The Dower House is all about: friendship, community, generosity and creating meaningful moments together. As the music played and conversations continued long into the evening, it was clear that this year’s Harvest Festival had created many happy memories for everyone involved.

With wonderful company, delicious food, generous charitable giving and plenty of harvest cheer, it was an evening to remember.