Care home residents invited to attend mini-Glastonbury music festival

While music-lovers attend this year's Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, 61 elderly residents at OSJCT Goodson Lodge in the Hilperton Road will also be enjoying their own event.

The care home run by not-for-profit care provider The Orders of St John Care Trust in Trowbridge is bringing the spirit of Glastonbury to residents with its own music festival to rival the world’s largest greenfield music and performing arts festival.

Left to Right: residents Mavis, Judy, Maisie, Patricia and David at Goodson Lodge enjoying Brazilian Carnival beats at a workshop run by Batuque do Barco earlier this year. The samba band is due to return to Goodson next weekend for the mini-Glastonbury Festival.. (Image: Goodson Lodge)

With two main stages and more than 20 acts performing over three days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 28 to 30, the event follows hot on the success of the care home’s silent disco that went viral on TikTok back in the spring.

The Goodson Lodge festival will feature an eclectic line-up of local bands and solo artists, covering a range of genres from rock to jazz, from samba to karaoke.

Headline performances will include Ukelele Piddle, Sweet Silent Disco, Alpine Stompers Bavarian Band, the Calne Silver Band, local drag queen Miss Luscious Lips Lucy, NJ dance group and guitarist James Hogg.

Beyond the music, the festival will offer a variety of fun activities and delicious food options to engage the residents and their families. 

Highlights will include circus skills workshops by Clare Circus, farm animals from Chloe Mobile Farm, face painting, as well as ice-cream, cake, coffee and gin vans, and a BBQ.

One of the Goodson Lodge residents at the silent disco held earlier this year. (Image: Goodson Lodge)

Resident Maisie Frampton, 92, said: “I am looking forward to our own Glastonbury festival here at Goodson Lodge because there will be lots of music and hopefully it will bring the sun along too."

Alex Goodson, events manager at OSJCT Goodson Lodge, said: “I wanted to create a fun and memorable experience for the residents, many of whom have fond memories of musical concerts and festivals in their youth.

“Music is also incredibly important for residents living with dementia, as it can help them express their feelings and ideas, and improve their wellbeing.  Whether it’s raining or not, we will be ready with our wellies!"

“The team have worked tirelessly for weeks to make the event as authentic as possible, setting up their very own version of the famed pyramid stage, arranging performances, and organising additional activities and attractions," Alex said.

The event is open to a limited number of guests from the local community on a first-come, first-served basis.