WHAT'S NEW?
OLD PHOTO REKINDLES 80-YEAR-OLD FRIENDSHIP
Two residents at Black Swan Care Group’s Maitland House in Clacton have rekindled an 80-year-old friendship thanks to an old photo.
Margaret Markham-Lee (nee Walters) and Margaret Hoadley (nee Catchpole) first met as young children at London Road school in Clacton aſter the end of the Second World War. Over the years, their paths crossed in different ways and most recently when, unknown to each other, they both moved into Maitland House care home on Church Road in Clacton.
Margaret Markham-Lee, who will be 90 in November, said: “I wasn’t born in Clacton, I came when I was about three years old with Mum, two sisters and a brother. I started school at St Osyth’s Road. I was there about six months when we had to be evacuated (in the 2nd World War).
“When we came back, Mum had to move to a different house, so my school was changed to London Road and that’s where I first met Margaret Catchpole, as she was then.
“We played together sometimes and along with some other children we were invited by Mrs Leeks, who was a drama teacher,
to her house where she organised little plays which we had to learn properly. So, we went to local venues like the Town Hall and performed.”
The photo shows a group of girls lined up in costumes worn for one of the performances. Margaret Walters as she was then, is on the end of the middle row on the leſt, and Margaret Catchpole is on the same row, second from the right.
Margaret continued: “Years went by, and we went our different ways. Aſter some years, we met again playing bowls. Then I moved away for a long time, before I came back to Clacton and got older.
“I came to Maitland House for care (in June 2024), and would you believe it, I met Margaret again! She was very pleased to see the photo that I found when sorting a few things out. We have lots of memories of the others in the photo. They were good times and it’s difficult to believe 80 years have passed since we first met.”
The two Margarets are now happily settled at Maitland House where they continue to reminisce about their childhood friendship and enjoy the care and support at the home.
www.blackswan.co.uk
WHAT A HOOT
Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Michael of Kent Court, in Watford, recently enjoyed a visit from a group of friendly owls. A handler from Owl Adventures led Diego, a northern white faced owl, and fudge, a barn owl all around the Home and introduced them to residents. The residents were delighted to meet the calm animals, who were happy to be petted and stroked.
Resident Marie, who is a great bird lover, said: “The owls were incredibly beautiful and it was lovely to be able to get so close and to touch them. They were very well behaved.”
Emma Bush, Prince Michael of Kent Court’s Activities Coordinator, said: “Owl Adventures’ visit was really fun. The owls brought a lot of joy, and calmness, which is so beneficial for our residents’ mental health and wellbeing.”
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www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Both residents and staff learned fascinating facts about owls. For example, that they can rotate their necks a maximum of 270 degrees, their wonky ears help them hear better, and the style of feather helps them fly silently.
www.rmbi.org.uk
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