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PRINTMayor of Exeter and Sally Sedgman to attend 50th anniversary luncheon for award-winning local care home
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12 May 2009
The Lodge, on Spicer Road, in Exeter, celebrates its 50th anniversary tomorrow (Tuesday 12 May) with a luncheon event attended by the Mayor of Exeter, radio and TV personality, Sally Sedgman and 70s film star, Francoise Pascal.
The Lodge, on Spicer Road, in Exeter, celebrates its 50th anniversary tomorrow (Tuesday 12 May) with a luncheon event attended by the Mayor of Exeter, radio and TV personality, Sally Sedgman and 70s film star, Francoise Pascal.
The marquee reception marks exactly fifty years since Lady Astor opened The Lodge, one of ten care homes within the award-winning Elizabeth Finn Homes Limited portfolio.
The original house on which The Lodge now stands, was built in 1888/1889 for local entrepreneur, Arthur Edward Tremlett and styled ‘The Villa Rouge.’
After Mr Tremlett’s death, the house was bought by the Distressed Gentlefolks' Aid Association or the modern-day Elizabeth Finn Care, of which Elizabeth Finn Homes Limited is a fully-owned subsidiary. It took two years for ‘The Villa Rouge’ to be converted into a home for the elderly, starting out with just eight residents and three staff.
Nowadays, General Manager, Debbie Skinner has seventy-six staff to assist in the day-to-day running of the home, some of whom have been there for nearly thirty years.
Debbie Skinner says: “The loyalty and unstinting commitment of the staff at The Lodge really adds to the feeling of us being a genuine home-from-home for those that choose to come and live with us. Tomorrow is as much about celebrating a milestone, as thanking our staff and all our forty-five residents for making life here so very special.”
The catering on the day will be provided by The Lodge’s Hotel Services Manager, Tony Howard and Head Chef, Paul Evans, who recently won a Caring Times award for the quality, presentation and variety of the food provided at the home.
ENDS
Press are welcome to attend the event from noon, with residents and long-serving staff available for photographs and interviews. Please confirm names of those attending by 11am on Tuesday 12th May with Rob Tolan, Press Officer. Telephone: 020 7396 6733 or Mobile: 07853 221 767. rob.tolan@elizabethfinn.org.uk. 1 Derry Street, London W8 5HY
Notes to Editors:
- Elizabeth Finn Care is one of the UK’s leading direct grant-giving charities, dedicated specifically to helping people in poverty. In the past five years, Elizabeth Finn Care has given £13 million in direct grants to people from over 120 occupations and professions.
- Financial grants vary from one-off payments of up to £2,000 to help deal with major costs like household repairs, to longer term support of up to £20 per week, to cover daily essentials. A team of case workers and 500 volunteers across the country also provide emotional support helping to rebuild esteem, restore hope and help individuals to feel part of society again.