Back playing behind the church organ for Brian at Downham Market Methodist church

Enabling residents to carry on living their "ordinary lives" is so important for the staff at Downham Grange Nursing Home

And for one care home resident Brian Bannister with the help of the Activities Coordinator Amy Belfield, was supported to attend his beloved Downham Market Methodist church and watched in amazement as he performed three hymns on the church organ following their Harvest Festival Service led by Rev Paul Critchley

“Brian was able to show us that at an age was no number as he played”, said Amy “His first piano lesson was at 9 years old but now at an amazing 88 years-old he still plays at ease remembering the notes as if they were yesterday” she continues

Brian was born in Witnesham, 5 miles outside of Ipswich but after moving to Downham Market later in life he played the church organ for many years.
He recalls stepping up and volunteering to play for an evening Christmas Day service as the existing organist had already performed in the morning and he wanted to help – after that the “cat was out of the bag”, he joked and he then played every month right until 2020 when Covid stopped play.


“The home is no stranger to arranging these special moments for our residents” said homes manager Kelly Bermingham who encourages all staff to take an active part in making special memories “from care staff who sing and dance, to housekeepers who dress up and the chef who involves residents in baking the homes Christmas cake – no one is exempt not even me”