Solihull Residents Mark Abbeyfield's 70th Year with Nostalgic Street Party Celebration
Residents at Hampton House in Solihull, operated by Abbeyfield Living Society, stepped back in time this week to celebrate a significant milestone with a day filled with music, cherished memories, and a special anniversary lunch. This event marked the 70th anniversary of ALS, formerly known as The Abbeyfield Society, a charity that runs a network of care homes, sheltered housing schemes, and independent living complexes for older people, promoting a unique model of communal living.
A Day of Reminiscence and Festivities
The celebrations at Hampton House, an independent living complex on Hampton Lane, commenced at 11am with a reminiscence session over tea and biscuits. Residents shared fond memories while browsing through old photographs and thank-you cards from past years, warmly recalling friends who had moved on. This nostalgic activity set the tone for a day dedicated to honoring decades of community life.
A special anniversary lunch followed, featuring a 'Bermondsey Bomb' – a meat-filled potato cake – as a tribute to the East London location of the first Abbeyfield house. This culinary nod to the charity's origins added a historical touch to the festivities, connecting residents to Abbeyfield's rich heritage.
Music and Memories Turn into a Street Party
In the afternoon, singer Martin Leonard entertained the residents with well-loved classics, encouraging many to join in and transforming the event into a vibrant street-party-style singalong. The lively atmosphere brought joy and camaraderie, highlighting the strong sense of community that defines Hampton House.
Pauline Hunt, 69, who moved into Hampton House in 2014, reflected on the day, noting how it evoked fond memories of the 60th anniversary celebrations in 2016. "I can't believe 10 years have gone by already," she said. "I remember the 60th anniversary well, when we had Don Maclean from Crackerjack and the Lord Mayor attending. Hampton House has changed a lot since then, with a more open communal space and new furniture. We have many new residents, volunteers, and staff, and it's been lovely to welcome people in since the difficult times during the pandemic."
Manager's Perspective on Evolution and Values
Hampton House manager Nicola Kirkham also recalled the 60th anniversary party, sharing personal anecdotes. "Both my grandchildren came and enjoyed playing games and chatting with the residents – they still talk about it now," she said. "Although much has changed over the last 10 years – developments such as becoming paper-free have helped us all to do our jobs better – our values of care, compassion, and community remain the same. We always put residents first. Our 70th anniversary celebrations took us back to our roots. With the music and food, it felt just like a street party inside the house."
Abbeyfield's Legacy and Future Plans
Abbeyfield was founded in 1956 by Richard Carr-Gomm, who left the Coldstream Guards to volunteer as a home help. Recognizing the loneliness experienced by many older people, he used his army gratuity to open the first Abbeyfield house in Bermondsey, East London. The movement quickly expanded across the UK and internationally, with Abbeyfield now operating around 500 care homes, sheltered housing schemes, and independent living complexes in the UK alone.
Each service will be marking the 70th anniversary throughout the year, with Hampton House planning further events in the coming months to continue the celebration of this remarkable milestone in community living.
