Musical memories

In a UK first, Bramshott Grange Care Community has published an interactive book containing the musical memories of the people living in the home – and a local charity is set to benefit from the sales.

Magical Musical Memories is the name of the book, which is a compilation of songs chosen by the ladies and gentlemen who live in Bramshott Grange.

Their favourite songs are included with others picked by residents living in four other care homes owned by Dormy Care Communities.

People who buy the book won’t only be able to read why a song has particularly special memories for residents, they will also be able to watch and listen to the song on YouTube by pointing their smartphone camera on the QR reader on each page.

From classical music by greats such as Mozart and Beethoven to more modern songs by the likes of Queen, Tom Jones and Cyndi Lauper, the book includes residents’ favourite songs and any particular anecdotes/stories about them.

These were collated following interviews conducted with people who live in Bramshott Grange, as well as Brockington House Care Community in Hereford, Pine Martin Grange Care Community in Dorset; Glenburnie Lodge Care Community in Wenvoe, Wales, and Foxhunters Care Community in Abergavenny, Wales.

It comes as a study by a UK university (Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge) reveals how music can reduce stress in people living with dementia and after former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and the daughter of singer Tony Christie revealed how music has helped prompt memories for their loved ones.

Pam Norfolk, Home Director at Bramshott Grange Care Community, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to produce this book showcasing the musical memories of the ladies and gentlemen from Bramshott Grange.

“From the songs that we danced to at our first school dance, to the albums that became the soundtrack of our lives, each memory is a testament to the ways in which music has shaped who we are and the moments that have defined us.

“Music has the unique ability to transport us back to a specific time and place, stirring up memories that we may have long forgotten and through the recollections of these wonderful people, these memories will now live on forever.”

Among the residents at Bramshott Grange whose musical memories have been captured in the book are Doreen White, who tells how she and her husband Gary got to see John Denver perform live in the front row of a concert in Reno, Nevada, despite not having tickets; Barbara Ellis who likes Land of the Silver Birch as it reminds her of her time in the Girl Guides; and Chris Niles, who selected All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera because it’s a song he sang a lot whilst he was renovating his house with wife Vivienne.

Copies of the coffee table style book are being sold at £15 each and anyone interested in purchasing a copy can do so by contacting Bramshott Grange on 01428 853393. The home can take card payments over the phone and post the book out.

Bramshott Grange will be selecting a local charity to receive a donation from some of the proceeds of the book.