RESIDENTS and staff at a care home enjoyed an afternoon of top tapping rhythm and rhyming when they were treated to a story-telling and music-making performance by a top-class entertainer.

Singer and performer Wendy Holmes, from ARC - The Stockton Arts Centre, visited Mandale House in Thornaby, where she performed traditional songs, recited poems by famous comedienne and presenter Pam Eyres and told a range of inspiring and humorous stories.

She had previously visited the home as part of the BOLD festival, a series of activities part-organised by ARC which celebrate the creativity and experiences of older people.

Chris Reason, home manager at Mandale House, said: “We were all very pleased that Wendy could return to Mandale House. She gave a wonderful performance that was greatly enjoyed by all of our residents – many joined in with the singing and one resident was even inspired to give their own solo performance.

“We host a variety of singers, entertainers and speakers as part of our activities programme at Mandale and always try to engage with the local community through such events.”