From Fenland roots to the North York Moors

How Stuart supports residents on our resident panel

From growing up as one of nine children in the flat Fenlands of Lincolnshire to becoming a headteacher in Hartlepool, Stuart has always been driven by a strong commitment to community, purpose and supporting others. Today, living with his partner Annie at Abbeyfield Esk Moors Lodge in Castleton, Stuart brings that same energy, experience and wisdom to his role on the Abbeyfield Resident Panel.

Here, Stuart shares memories of his childhood, his long career in education and what life is like in the heart of the North York Moors.

Early life in Lincolnshire

“I spent my childhood, right up until leaving for university at 18, on the edge of Boston in Lincolnshire where the town meets surrounding farmland. What made it such a special place to grow up was this close connection to the land and the surrounding area, with fresh local produce central to every family meal in a household of four brothers and four sisters. Boston is a market town and an inland port and sits on the River Witham which then flows into The Wash, close by. The very tall parish church is widely known as The Stump and was always a focal point; I passed it every day on my way to school.

“Living in South Lincolnshire meant I experienced the Great Floods at the end of January 1953, when many low-lying streets in Boston and vast stretches of land towards The Wash ended up completely underwater. My father worked as a medic at the local hospital and was called out to assist with treating rescued residents across the district, leaving our family in great anxiety as we did not see him for several days. A decade later, my father passed away at the age of 53, leaving a lasting memory that remains vivid. Seeing him pass away – the first time I’d ever witnessed any death - was as clear to me today as it was then.

“Alongside these major milestones were the simple family traditions that stayed constant over the years, like our regular trips to Skegness just 23 miles away. We never went anywhere else, yet each visit felt the first time. We always stuck to our favourite routines - the excitement of a particular funfair ride, a group photo by Wrates, and staying in the exact same bed and breakfast.

Finding a purpose in teaching

“After earning my English degree and completing teacher training, I moved north to begin my career in the small coastal town of Seaham Harbour, just south of Sunderland. You may wonder why I would choose to up sticks and move north, to a completely different location - well, I was recruited at college by the Director of Education for County Durham who certainly made the best sales pitch.

“Why did I choose teaching? I guess the most important influence was my attempts to “teach” my younger siblings in our pretend school when I was in my teens and subsequently working with many Duke of Edinburgh Award youngsters on their expeditions whilst I was a student - and finding myself enjoying the success I achieved.

“Throughout my career and life, I have always relied on a simple piece of guidance: if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again – there’s usually another way. Each time I’ve been knocked back in life, I’ve got back up, dusted myself down, figuratively speaking, and jumped back into the maelstrom. Success did come!

“Outside of work, I have maintained a lifelong love of books across fiction, reference, and learning, alongside a lasting passion for rugby union and sport that first developed during my school days.

Life at Esk Moors Lodge

“I live with my lovely partner, Annie, at Abbeyfield Esk Moors Lodge in Castleton, located on the North York Moors and close to Whitby. We chose Esk Moors Lodge because we were residents of one of the local villages and it’s clearly the best site locally. The independent living is supported by 24-hour background care should you need it, and residency is limited to over-55s who have a family connection to the Esk Valley basin villages.

“The standout features were the relative newness of the flats and building in general, with magnificent views across one of best sections of the Esk Valley. Its brilliant views! Also, the trains which pass by the bottom of the garden throughout the day!

“When we moved in, our first week was very strange because it was a total lifestyle change, as we had spent some time preparing and downsizing by reducing our possessions. It was like the first week at a new school!

“Since settling in, what I enjoy most is the peace and quiet, the safety aspect, and being conveniently close to the railway station and the village of Castleton. We have also enjoyed house activities; my favourite was probably the pottery event in which a well-qualified potter came to guide us through the making of our own Highland Cows, which was wonderful.

“To anyone thinking about moving here, I would say: as long as you qualify, get here asap. The life is good, the community is welcoming, and the staff are great.

Representing fellow residents

“I decided to join the Abbeyfield Resident Panel to help give a voice to my neighbours and gain a deeper insight into how the national organisation operates. Many of the existing residents feel strongly about some issues, such as repairs, food, and communications, but can’t easily verbalise these feelings. We are reasonably articulate and wanted to find out more about the national organisation and see where we could learn ways of improving what is offered.

“During my time on the panel, I have taken part in key decisions such as awarding major maintenance and fire safety contracts, while also helping to shape organisational policy changes. I gather feedback simply by listening when people want to talk and keeping everyone updated on new developments from our panel meetings. Looking ahead, I am proud of the progress made so far and hope the panel can consolidate its success while eventually exploring ways for residents to be consulted on financial matters across the organisation.”

A lasting impact

From his early years in Lincolnshire to his dedicated career in education, Stuart's lifelong commitment to supporting others continues today at Esk Moors Lodge. Through his work on the Resident Panel and his active role in the local community, he remains a strong voice for his fellow residents, ensuring their experiences and perspectives continue to shape the future of Abbeyfield.

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