A care home resident who has a degenerative brain condition was All Shook Up when an Elvis impersonator who’s also a hospital chaplain popped in to sing Happy Birthday.
Pendine Park, Bryn Seiont Newydd
A 50th birthday surprise for one of the younger residents, Ivan Chambers, who has Huntington’s Disease
The Welsh Elvis, Wynne Evans, popped in to perform and sing happy birthday to Ivan and the staff got into the swing of things in fancy dress
Elvis dancing with Margaret Morecroft
Rocking reverend Wynne Roberts, known as the Welsh Elvis, was the star attraction at Ivan Chambers’ 50th birthday party at the Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon where he’s lived for the past two years.
A number of the staff even came in on their day off to join in the festivities and entered into the spirit of the occasion by donning fancy dress, with Ivan himself dressing up as Elvis.
According to manager Sandra Evans, Ivan, a former taxi driver who hails from Bangor, is a very popular resident and they wanted to help him celebrate his landmark birthday in style.
Kitted out in the trademark white slacks and boots, multi-coloured scarves and custom-made shades the be-quiffed King of rock and roll thrilled Ivan and a full-house crowd in the music room with a procession of hits.
Right from the start he had them singing and clapping along with tunes that many of them recalled from their early juke box days in the 50s and 60s.
When he’s not performing as the rock ‘n’ roll legend Wynne’s day job is as chaplain manager for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board covering all its facilities across North Wales from his base at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
Sandra Evans said: “Huntington’s disease is a horrible condition which kills nerve cells in the brain. It’s like being locked in and is a progressive illness. Sadly, there is currently no cure.
“Everyone wanted to help Ivan celebrate his birthday – 50 is an incredibly young age to have to live in a care home but Ivan takes it all in his stride and gets on with life the best he can.
“We know Wynne Roberts well and we are delighted he agreed to come in and perform his Elvis tribute act for Ivan, other residents and staff. Ivan is a big fan of Elvis music and it has been a lovely afternoon.
“Many staff members came in on their day off and in fancy dress to make it a real party to remember for Ivan.”
She added: “One member of staff, Michael John Morris, even took Ivan to Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium in the last week as he is also a big Man U fan. The Huntington’s Society bought the tickets but Michael took Ivan in his own time.
“That was a birthday treat for Ivan and Wynne coming along today performing Elvis songs and getting everybody up dancing has just been brilliant.”
Wynne Roberts, who last year won a top award at the Porthcawl Elvis Festival, thoroughly enjoyed the party.
He said: “I was thrilled to be asked to come and sing Elvis songs for Ivan and to help him celebrate his birthday. Huntington’s Disease is a terrible condition and to be in a care home aged just 50 is really shocking.
“But it’s been an amazing and lovely occasion and I’m delighted I was asked. I do perform in quite a few care homes as well as performing all over the UK. I’m booked up now into next year. I don’t charge for performances with money going to charity instead.
“Elvis was an amazing gospel singer; in fact, that was his first love. It’s also my favourite too so to win the Gospel Award at last year’s Elvis Festival was amazing.”
Wynne didn’t start singing until quite late in life and he only began as a way of entertaining his own late mum when she was in a nursing home.
He said: “It’s amazing to be known as the Welsh Elvis and to have followers all around the world. I get all sorts of gifts and messages sent to me, it’s quite incredible. I’ve ended up doing TV and radio shows and enjoying sell out concerts all over the UK. It’s been amazing.”
He added: “Going to a care home is always a wonderful experience and very special. I like to think what we are doing is bringing joy to residents and taking a few back for a trip down Memory Lane.
“However, the real success of these events is down to staff and the effort they put in. What we have seen at Bryn Seiont Newydd is staff and carers putting in a huge amount of effort and supporting residents.
“And I know, although it’s difficult for Ivan to show a lot of emotion due to his debilitating condition, he has had a wonderful day and that is the most important thing.”
Care practitioner trainer Sue Evans dressed as a clown for the birthday bash and organised the party for Ivan.
She said: “We wanted to make his 50th birthday a bit special and I think we have achieved that!
“Ivan likes Elvis songs so we thought why not get the Welsh Elvis to come along and perform for him? Sandra, our manager, even managed to get Ivan an Elvis costume to wear so he’d look the part too.
“It’s been a real team effort with so many staff members coming in on their day off to help Ivan celebrate. I think we have given him a day to remember.”
Care practitioner Charlotte Foad, who dressed as Super Woman for the party, says Ivan is a special guy and she wanted to help him celebrate.
She said: “It is my day off but there was no way I wasn’t going to be here. Ivan loves his Superhero films so that’s why I came as Super Woman.
“Ivan is massively popular among all the staff. He’s such a lovely guy and to be struck down by this terrible condition at such a young age is tragic. No one should have to be in care home aged just 50.
She added: “It’s so important to keep Ivan active and inspired so he can enjoy life as much as he can and while he can.”
Ivan was unable to say a great deal but did manage to make it clear the day had been very special and that he’d really loved hearing the Elvis songs.
