A COLOURFUL Hawaiian-style party at a Salisbury nursing home gave residents the chance to say ‘aloha’ to some gentle limbo dancing.

The afternoon get-together at Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge was organised following a request by a resident who used to holiday by the Waikiki surf beach in Honolulu.

“Because she’s not allowed to fly now, she can’t go to Hawaii any more, so we thought we’d bring Hawaii to her,” said Karen Pinhorn of the home’s Companionship team.

Ahead of the party, Karen and colleagues decorated a lounge with inflatable palm trees, limbo game, beach balls and hula hoops, installing a ‘beach bar’ in the corner with an array of cocktails, mocktails and fresh fruit on offer.

Both residents and staff wore Hawaiian-style dress including flower garlands, flower-printed shirts and grass skirts, reclining on sun loungers to the sound of Elvis Presley songs from the film Blue Hawaii.

The limbo dancing competition was popular, with participants invited to make a donation to the home’s charity for this year, Salisbury-based Alabaré, which supports vulnerable and homeless people across the south west of England and Wales.

Karen added: “We regularly organise a special day in response to residents’ wishes and our Hawaiian party proved a great idea with everyone joining in, happy to support Alabaré in the process.”

Resident Dora Williams said: “Hawaii is known as a beautiful, relaxing place to go on holiday and the people have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming.

“Our party was beautiful, friendly, relaxing and welcoming too.”