Mardi Gras carnival at Teesside care home

THE CARNIVAL came to a Teesside care home when residents marked Mardi Gras with a fun-filled day.

Residents at Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, Thornaby, were treated to a themed exercise session, arts and crafts, fancy dress and a Mardi Gras meal.

The party started with a lunch of Cajun chicken, “dirty rice” and jambalaya followed by traditional egg pudding.

They then made masks and decorations and dressed in their creations as well as multi-coloured feathered boas.

When they were looking the part, they all took part in a dance session with Mardi Gras music and limbo under a decorated pole.

The celebrations inspired residents to watch Live and Let Die, the first James Bond film to star Roger Moore, which includes a traditional MG party.

Resident May Small said: “What a great afternoon. I’ve never been to a Mardi Gras before and loved dancing along to the music.”

Tracy Wilson, activities coordinator at Mandale House Care Home, said: “We wanted to do something a little different for this Shrove Tuesday, so decided on a Mardi Gras party.

“The residents absolutely loved it. A bright, fun-filled day that had everyone doing something different, from trying new foods to dancing to traditional music.”