GIBRALTAR Nursing Home of Monmouth, Wales welcomed the start of 2026 with a memorable New Year’s Day celebration held in its own Pillars Restaurant.

The room was bustling as family members, the term called for residents came together to enjoy glasses of bubbly, an array of cakes and sweet treats, and games including bingo and pass the parcel.

Cake stands filled every table, offering a variety of treats and party food to suit different dietary needs. A drinks trolley was set up as a bar for the afternoon, stocked with wine, lager, and a choice of zero percent options and soft drinks, with home manager Verity Walmsley stepping into the role of the bar lady.

The celebration began with some good-old fashioned songs playing in the background as everyone arrived and settled in.

For those who chose to take part, bingo quickly filled the room with excitement as numbers were called out and many prizes were won. The fun continued with pass the parcel, as team members and family members formed a wide circle around the restaurant, cheering one another on as parcels were passed and unwrapped.

One family member, Florence, 89 years young, added her own flair to the game by dancing whenever it was her turn to hold the parcel.

The New Year’s Day celebration followed a very special Christmas Day, when the home opened the doors of the Pillars Restaurant to welcome loved ones joining their family members for Christmas lunch.

The kitchen was kept busy throughout the day, serving Christmas dinner to a total of 153 people.

Home Manager Verity Walmsely, said: “It was really great seeing so many family members getting involved, smiling and enjoying the afternoon together. It felt like the perfect way to start the year.”

After a lively celebration, family members returned to their households, ending the day with tea and a homemade scone with clotted cream and jam.