A care home provider teamed up with the charity Parkinson’s Poole to stage a Parisian café-style community tea dance, raising more than £1,000 to help people with the condition.

Around 150 people enjoyed the Gallic-themed fun at St George’s Church Hall in Poole which was organised and staffed by Colten Care.

The afternoon featured traditional French songs performed live on accordion, guitar and double bass by costumed New Milton group Café Mondial.

Between dances, partygoers sampled cakes and other patisserie delights specially made for the occasion by expert Colten Care chefs. 

As well as many guests with personal connections to Parkinson’s Poole, attendees included dozens of residents from seven Colten Care homes.

These were Avon Cliff in Bournemouth, Fernhill in Longham, Amberwood House in Ferndown, Brook View in West Moors and three Poole homes: Canford Chase, Bourne View and The Aldbury.

100-year-old Ethel Wise, who lives at Avon Cliff, said: “I used to travel a lot and have even been to Paris. I had a lovely time at the dance. The music was wonderful.”

Dottie Dixon, a fellow resident at Avon Cliff, said: “I enjoy all the events Colten Care puts on but this one was especially good because it brought lots of the homes together. I enjoyed being able to have a bit of a dance.”

Lindsey Oliver, whose husband Bob is chair of Poole & District Parkinson’s Group, said she was delighted to find that one of the Colten Care residents, Myrtle Smith, who now lives at Bourne View in Poole, was her old music teacher.

“I can’t have seen her for over 60 years,” said Lindsey, who added: “This was a spectacular event, marvellous. The organisers did a brilliant job.”

It was the second community dance that Colten Care have organised in partnership with Parkinson’s groups. 

Last year, residents and staff from five homes in the New Forest came together in Boldre near Lymington for a similar French-style event that raised more than £700 for the charity’s New Forest branch.

The latest dance was planned through close work over several months between Bob and Martin Corrigan, Home Manager of The Aldbury in Poole.

Martin said: “The New Forest event inspired me to lead the charge to do the same for our Bournemouth and Poole homes. I was delighted to work alongside Bob, who lives with Parkinson’s himself and is a huge inspiration. Given that 150,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson’s and it is the fastest growing neurological disease, we’re thrilled that the funds we’ve help to raise will make a much-needed difference and be well received.”

Bob said: “Following an invite to talk at one of The Aldbury’s business breakfast clubs, me and Martin worked closely together to bring the idea to fruition. The aim of all of our events is to create an uplifting community for those living with the disease. The money raised at this event will be used to support people with Parkinson’s living locally. We have a small committee of people who give up their time for nothing. I want to say a huge thank you to Martin and the team at Colten Care for making this event happen.”