BBC Radio 2 Christmas Day broadcast at Starr Hills

Residents at MHA’s ‘Outstanding’ Starr Hills Care Home in Lytham St Annes will be the stars of the show when BBC Radio 2 features the home on Christmas morning.

Good Morning Christmas, broadcast from 8am to 10am, will be presented by the Rev Kate Bottley, who is a regular on Radio 2’s The Sunday Hour and a frequent contributor to Pause For Thought on Chris Evans’ Breakfast Show feature, amongst others. It will include interviews with residents and staff plus residents’ favourite carols and Christmas songs.

Radio 2 chose to feature Starr Hills, this year, partly because of the home’s vibrant atmosphere but also because one if its presenters, organist Nigel Ogden, volunteers there.

The programme was recorded on Monday 27 November and formed part of the residents’ programme of Christmas entertainment, which also included a concert from Nigel, dancers, a pantomime, a carol service, a talk on the origins of Father Christmas, a party and a quiz.

Rev Kate Bottley, said, “I had a lovely time at Starr Hills care home, talking to the residents and staff and finding out about what Christmas means to them. The joy in the home and the happiness was infectious.”

Starr Hills Manager Annette Williams said, “We were absolutely delighted when the BBC asked to record their Christmas Day breakfast show here. It was a fantastic experience and we will all be tuning in to hear it.”

Starr Hills Care Home on Ansdell Road South, Ansdell is judged to be ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

MHA is an award-winning charity based in Derby, providing care, accommodation and support services for older people throughout Britain.  It will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year.