Solihull residents mark 70 years of community living

A Milestone to Remember

This year marks the 70^th anniversary since Abbeyfield Living Society (ALS). Hampton House, an independent living complex on Hampton Lane, began its celebrations at 11am with a reminiscence session over tea and biscuits.

Residents shared memories while looking through old photographs and thank-you cards from years gone by, fondly recalling friends who had moved on. A special anniversary lunch followed, featuring a ‘Bermondsey Bomb’ – a meat-filled potato cake – in tribute to the East London location of the first Abbeyfield house.

In the afternoon, singer Martin Leonard entertained residents with well-loved classics, with many joining in and turning the event into a street-party-style singalong.

Pauline Hunt, 69, who moved into Hampton House in 2014, said that the day brought back 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.”

Hampton House manager Nicola Kirkham also remembers the 60th anniversary party.

“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 was founded in 1956 by Richard Carr-Gomm, who left the Coldstream Guards to volunteer as a home help. Recognising 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. Today, Abbeyfield has around 500 care homes, sheltered housing schemes and independent living complexes in the UK alone. Each service will be marking the 70^th anniversary throughout the year, with Hampton House also planning further events in the coming months.

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