Press Release

Tea Party to Celebrate the Arrival of the Grays Fair Court Mural

13th May 2011

On Friday 13th May Grays Fair Court in New Costessey,an Age UK Norfolk Centre in partnership with Saffron Housing Trust,officially celebrated the arrival of the Grays Fair Court Mural with a Tea Party.

The mural was painted by local artist Jenny Leonard and recreates a dance hall evening from the 1950s. Miss Leonard wanted the mural to be something that tenants and users could relate to and have input with that would act as a springboard for memories. Residents and users were involved in the project, helping with details for the mural such as the hairstyles, clothes and shoes they wore and popular dance music from the era.

The Tea Party was held in the in Grays Fair Court restaurantbeside the mural, with the Den Barrie Duo providing musical entertainment for the guests. Afternoon tea consisted of an array of delicious cakes cooked from recipes taken from a 1950’s cookbook.

The party was a great success and wasattended by Grays Fair Court service users and their families,tenants and staff from Saffron Housing Trust,Age UK Norfolk staff, volunteers and trustees.

Age UK Norfolk President, Mrs Millington Smith said, "This has just been so good in so many ways. The music, the songs, the dresses are all very much there in our memories. We've all loved being part of the wonderful dance band experience again!"

Gina Dennison, manager of Grey's Fair Court said, "We've all had a great time and I have a feeling that this will be the first of many tea dances to come."

Miss Leonard said, “Thanks to everyone involved for trusting me with the project. It was a privilege to be given such a large scale wall to take my paintbrush to and the freedom to create something which enhanced the communal space at the centre, as well as being such a great talking point for tenants and visitors. I hope that this is just the beginning of some exciting future art work and mural projects with Age UK Norfolk and Saffron Housing.”

The mural came about by word of mouth. Miss Leonard is currently studying at NorwichUniversityCollege of the Arts (NUCA), who have selected Age UK Norfolk as their Charity of the Year, heard from another student that Grays Fair Court wanted a mural to decorate their restaurant wall.

The whole process took about 3 weeks to research, design and paint.Miss Leonard said “my nan was always talking about the dances so I thought it would be nice to have a ballroom theme.”

At the time of painting in March this year, the mural received some coverage on BBC Look East and was also covered by Norwich Evening News (

Age UK Norfolk has also been working closely with students at NUCA on anotherintergenerational project. We have engaged the support of a group of second year Graphic Design and Graphic Communication students in designing leaflets and posters to support our Campaign for Later Life (

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For further information please contact:

Gina Dennison

T:01603 594741

E:

Notes to Editors

  1. Grays Fair Court is an Age UK Norfolk Community Support Centre located in New Costessey. It offers the opportunity for people in later life toreceive day support away from home; to socialise and to take part in activities.It also offers support to people who care for older relatives or friendsby enabling them to have a break from their caring role.
  1. Grays Fair Court is a partnership project between Saffron Housing Trust and Age UK Norfolk. The centre combines 34 sheltered homes, 20 respite care beds and a day service for people in Norwich and Norfolk.
  1. Age UK Norfolk runs four Community Support Centres across Norfolk, providing respite and day services, as well as an information resource to older people in New Costessey, Acle, Methwold and Diss. In 2008/2009 our Community Support Centres provided 12,381 days/nights of 24 hour respite care, 9,777 mobile meals and 11,195 days of day service support.
  1. Age UK Norfolk is a countywide independent charity that works with others to make later life fulfilling and enjoyable. We are a brand partner of Age UK, the charity formed following the national merger of Age Concern and Help the Aged.
  1. In 2009/2010, Age UK Norfolk’s Information and Advice Service received 6,559 calls/visits from older people in Norfolk.
  1. Age UK Norfolk’s Benefit Take-up Outreach Service provides specialist benefits advice and practical help with filling out benefit forms for older people and their carers in their own home. In 2009/2010, Age UK Norfolk benefit outreach workers assisted 533 people to increase their income, which in monetary terms equates to £1,398,659
  1. Age UK Norfolk campaigns with and for older people on issues that are relevant to them. In 2009/10 we campaigned on Age Discrimination, Quality of Care and on Food and Nutrition in Hospitals.
  1. Saffron Housing Trust has over 4,600 houses in the region, mainly in South Norfolk. Saffron is delighted to work in partnership with organisations facilitating the provision of much needed housing and services in Norfolk.For more information on Saffron’s current developments including several which provide Local Homes for Local People in rural locations in South Norfolk please visit

Age UK Norfolk, 300 St Faith’s Road, Old Catton, Norwich NR6 7BJ

T 01603 787111 F 01603 301371 E

Age UK Norfolk is the operating name of Age Concern Norfolk, a Charitable Company limited by guarantee Registered in England No 03783205. Registered Charity No 1077097.