Bayswater Village Bloemfontein

20/01/2026

It was a fantastic morning, the residents enjoyed a refreshing coke float under the lapa.

16/01/2026

The residents were spoiled with a lovely waffle and ice-cream for pudding today, it is definintely a lovely way to end the week. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

31/12/2025

18/12/2025

What a year, the Afrikaans Bible Study enjoyed their last session yesterday (Wednesday), thank you to Sister Annalie for taking the time every Wednesday to give the Bible Study, we are very blessed.

17/12/2025

Friday morning was amazing. We had a wonderful birthday party for our residents who celebrated from September - December. We were also privileged to have Eugene singing such wonderful Christmas songs for our residents. We would also like to thank Treat Wise for the wonderful food, our residents loved every single bite. Thank you to everyone for making this day so special.

09/12/2025

A big thank you to Kind2Hearing for a wonderful morning of Christmas Bingo, it was absolutely fantastic.

28/11/2025

We had so much fun this morning, coming together and creating some Christmas decorations. It was thoroughly enjoyed and saw some lovely creative sides emerge. Thank you to all the ladies for your wonderful creative chains.

14/11/2025

BWV - 40th Anniversay. In the early 80's the need was felt for the establishment in Bloemfontein for a retirement village. Methodist Homes for the Aged in JHB and Parys provided a model for the establishment of Bayswater Village. A planning committee went to work. The initial village that opened towards the end of 1985 consisted of 6 privately owned cottages, 8 rented flats and 12 rented rooms - each with its own little bathroom! A frail care facility with just 12 beds was also part of the village. Rev. David Young who lived in one of the cottages, also visited the frail care every morning to pray with the residents and cheer them up. The gardens have always added to the beauty of the Village. Noleen Uys and Ann Pienaar have given their dedication, skills and expertise in establishing the gardens.
On this 40th anniversary, we look back with graitude on the caring services that have been provided for so many residents throughout the years.

13/11/2025

After 21 years of marriage, my wife surprised me with an unexpected suggestion.
“I want you to take another woman out for dinner and a movie,” she said with a soft smile. “I love you, but I think there’s someone else who would love to spend some time with you.”
I stared at her, confused, until she clarified. She was talking about my mother.
My mom had been a widow for 19 years. Between work and raising our three kids, I hadn’t been able to visit her as much as I wanted. My wife’s suggestion tugged at my heart, so that night, I picked up the phone and called my mom.
“Is everything alright?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern. Late-night calls were rare.
“Everything’s fine,” I said. “I just thought it’d be nice for the two of us to have dinner and maybe see a movie.”
After a brief pause, she replied, “I’d like that very much.”
That Friday, as I pulled up to her house, I felt both nervous and excited. When she opened the door, I was stunned. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress she’d last worn for her wedding anniversary. She looked radiant, her face glowing with a smile that could light up the darkest room.
As she got into the car, she said, “I told my friends I was going out with my son tonight, and they were all so impressed. They can’t wait to hear about it.”
We went to a cozy little restaurant—not fancy, but warm and inviting. My mother held my arm as though she were royalty, and I didn’t mind one bit.
After we sat down, I read the menu aloud since her eyesight wasn’t what it used to be. She smiled nostalgically. “I used to read the menu for you when you were little,” she said.
I chuckled. “Then tonight, let me return the favor.”
We spent the evening talking—not about anything important, just sharing stories and laughter. Before we knew it, time had slipped away, and we had missed the movie.
When I dropped her off at home, she hugged me tightly and said, “I’d love to do this again. But next time, it’s my treat.”
I smiled and promised her we would.
When I got home, my wife asked, “How was your evening with Mom?”
“It was better than I could have imagined,” I said, feeling deeply grateful for the time we’d spent together.
A few days later, my mother passed away suddenly from a heart attack. The news shattered me. I hadn’t been ready to say goodbye.
Not long after, I received an envelope in the mail. Inside was a receipt from the restaurant where we’d had dinner, along with a note from my mother.
It read:
“I paid for our dinner in advance, just in case I couldn’t be there. I paid for two meals—one for you and one for your wife. You’ll never know how much that night meant to me. I love you, my dear son.”
Tears streamed down my face as I realized how much that evening had meant to both of us.
Life is fleeting, and time doesn’t wait for us to say the things that matter. We often believe there will always be more time—until there isn’t.
Don’t wait. Make time for the people you love. Tell them what they mean to you. Because in the end, family is everything, and those moments together are what truly matter.

10/11/2025

We were so blessed on Saturday to have Saints Music Academy perform for our residents. It was so beautiful and a very special morning. Thank you to everyone for this wonderful morning.

04/11/2025

Thank you to our wonderful staff, you are really amazing.