RESIDENTS and staff at Tara’s Retreat were blessed with fantastic weather as they celebrated the residential home’s fifth birthday on Saturday.

Relatives and friends joined in the celebrations at the Sandridge home and enjoyed dancing to music from entertainer Jonathan Stevens. Pimms and canap�s were also served to guests in the lounge and gardens.

A celebratory bouquet of flowers was presented to Mabel Roe, the home’s first resident, who arrived at the home in 2006, in a vintage car driven by B&M Care’s chairman Mr Hughes.

Annette Sudbury Smith, manager at Tara’s Retreat, has said she is pleased with the links the home has made with the local community over the past five years and the success the home has enjoyed.

“Occupancy levels remain high and we receive most of our enquiries through recommendations and word of mouth,” she said.

“On a personal note, I have found running the home for the last five years a rewarding and positive experience.”

Since opening, Tara’s Retreat has received a three star excellent rating by inspectors at the Care Quality Commission and been named as runner up in the National Care Awards for Registered Manager and Care Team.

The home recently celebrated the 100th birthday of Mollie Boulton and is due to mark the 103rd birthday of its oldest resident, Nellie Maylott, this week.