A care home manager has said goodbye to her residents and colleagues after 23 years.

An afternoon tea was held to thank Karoline Gullin for her service at Friars Mead residential care home in Kings Langley.

Colleagues, residents, and some of their family members were invited to mark the occasion and express their gratitude to Karoline for the hard work and dedication she has shown for more than two decades at Friars Mead.

Homemade cakes were on offer, presented on wooden cake stands made for the occasion by the residents, and the rooms was decorated with flowers, ‘good luck’ balloons and England flags ahead of the Euros final that evening, with Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline - which became one of England fans' anthems - played in the home.

Newest resident Sylvia even knitted Karoline a puppet in her favourite football team's colours.

Watford Observer:

Karoline, who became manager at Friars Mead 13 years ago, was joined by her husband, Tony, who is also stepping down after spending five years as the Friars Mead caretaker.

Karoline, who was shortlisted as a finalist at the London Great British Care Awards last year, said: "I’ve been through so much over the last 23 years and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me to make Friars Mead a great place to be.

"The last 18 months have been especially tough, and I’d like to especially express my immense gratitude to the amazing staff here for their dedication and support. We could not have kept Covid at bay if we hadn’t pulled together, co-operated and worked as a team.

"However, the biggest thanks goes to our wonderful residents, past and present, who have made it an absolute pleasure to work here and given me tremendous satisfaction in my job."

Geoff Fairfield, chairman of the Abbeyfield Hertfordshire Residential Care Society, which runs Friars Mead, said: "The other trustees and I would like to thank you for your hard work and dedication, especially over the last 18 months keeping the residents safe and happy during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Julie Hutchins has been appointed as the new manager at Friars Mead.