Residents at care homes across Greater Manchester get surprise visit from ice cream van

Despite Greater Manchester facing record-breaking temperatures this July, some older residents have kept cool the old-fashioned way — with a simple ice cream.

Residents at the Ashlands Manor in Sale, plus the Cheadle Manor and Bramhall Manor care homes in Stockport got a visit from the ice cream van in this heatwave. They enjoyed Mr Whippy 99s in a cone — with the extra treat of raspberry sauce and a chocolate flake.

July is national ice cream month, with the visit from the van celebrating a great British summer tradition. The residents also got a much-appreciated opportunity to reminisce about their younger days, too.

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“The music from the ice cream van would be the best sound ever,” said Bramhall Manor resident Norma Holland. “I would rush to my parents for money to get one, it was so delicious.”

Keith Fitzgerald, who lives in the same home, added: “It was music to my ears when I heard the ice cream man, the joy it brought to the neighbourhood was fantastic.”

Jean Monnington, a resident at Cheadle Manor, added: “I can remember an Italian family having the carts near where I lived; they called around the streets and came to your door! They didn’t have freezers then. It was kept in a big tubs surrounded by ice to keep it cool. It was and always has been a treat.”

Staff also appreciated the visit, as Rowena Bolton, who manages Cheadle Manor, explained: “The surprise visit from Mr Whippy was thoroughly enjoyed by our residents and staff. It was wonderful to see so many smiles and happy faces and hear so many fond memories from many years ago.”

Home manager at Bramhall Manor, Rebecca Murphy, added: “We all have memories of