issue 2 15th november 2013
Dear Readers,
Welcome to issue 2 and thank you for the positive feedback following issue 1, it was much appreciated. This issue includes more of the same and a new feature profiling a resident, first up is the legend that is Mr. George Valentine.
Entertainment / Events The home has enjoyed some very good entertainment recently, having had a Harvest Festival, a Halloween Party, an afternoon to remember Honor McFarlane, a Firework display and a reminiscence afternoon on Toys.
Michelle our activities coordinator has also held some great sessions, playing cards, quoits, drawing, bingo,musical bingo, sing a longs, quizzing and Scrabble.
It would appear that Victor Bell is the man to beat at Quoits, although our regular respite visitor Ron Hearn did manage a victory against him. David Greenslade is also one to watch!!
For the ladies there have been some close tussles between Kitty Hale, Ivy Hassell and Margaret Hawksworth all with great scores. Well done to everyone who has taken part, let sport be the winner!!
Our MP3 music library is now up and running in the front reception lounge, with added bonus of photo slide show of residents events – please take a look, there are some great photos!
New Residents We offer a warm welcome to our newest permanent resident Geraldine Tayler (Gerry). Gerry has stayed with us before and it’s nice to have her back. We have also had short stays from Ronald Hearn and Joan Hollingsbee. We hope they enjoyed their visits and arewelcome back anytime. We also currently have Irene Washington on a respite stay, so a warm welcome to Irene as well.
Departures Unfortunately, we have also had some departures too. Ken Dash has returned home after his one month stay, Elsie Baker has returned home after her three month stay, Peter Lawton has moved on to another home and unfortunately Dorothy Lambert lost her battle with illness and has passed away - peacefully with family in her room at Mansion House.Sadly we are also sorry to announce the passing of Hazel Cook. Hazel had lived at Mansion House since 2002 and will be missed by so many staff and residents alike. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of both Dorothy and Hazel.
Birthdays Almost unbelievably we have not had any since the last newsletter on 25th September. We currently have no birthdays in October and our November ones are nearer the end of the month for Ken Inge and Mary Skerry. We would all like to wish them both a very happy Birthday in advance.
Resident Profile – George Valentine The adorable George Valentine has lived at Mansion House since 11th May 2011. He has two very proud daughters Jillian and Susan who have kindly provided the following information:
In a magazine issued by the Daily Mail commemorating the Queen’s Coronation,a picture of George was published that was taken in 1953.
George was responsible for all the artwork of the flags used in London for this great day. George and his team are pictured (below).
The original flags were all hand painted and adorned the streets. George also designed the layout of the flags on the procession route.
George spent the majority of his life undertaking this kind of work. One of his contracts was to produce the pennant for the County Cricket Champions each year, a commission he held for a very long time. George also painted a flag of Father Time for Lords cricket ground.
Other work included hand painting the Crown on the flag pole above Buckingham Palace regularly, of course George did not climb up there each time – this was someone else’s job to hoist up and down using a pulley system. George’s daughters can even remember the Crown sitting on their table at home!
George has also chatted to the Queen Mother whilst gold leafing at The Albert Hall and he designed the Althornevillage sign which is sited on the green.
George’s daughter Susan can remember her sister Jill doing her best to wreckher dad’s efforts by accidently spilling drinks all over some finished artwork that he had at home. After downing a large brandy to take away the shock, George painted all night to restore the situation – you can image he was not best pleased at the time!!