On a cold, grey, wet autumn evening summer came back to Hewlett Court where the ‘Sun’ in ‘Sun House’ was shown in the smiles of the residents, carers, the builders and representatives with their wives from the districts who have funded the project, met to hand it over.
To the sound of celebratory Champagne corks popping, WBro Charles Ward Chm of the Comforts Fund welcomed everyone and to thank all those who have been with the project from start to finish. He reserved special thanks to the funding districts whose generosity enabled all of it to happen; namely Burnley & Pendle, East Ribble and Salford (represented this evening by the District Charity Steward Ian Whitehead) as well as ELMC and the Comforts- Fund.
He also went to great lengths to thank all those who had worked on building and completing the project namely the Chmn of Burnley & Pendle District Paul Thornton & his Deputy Chmn Jeff Ward; the Chmn of East Ribble David Lightbown & his Assistant District Charity Steward Mike Stubbs. Special thanks were also given to Michael Emmott who is not yet a brother (but soon to be) a member of the staff and husband of the Home Manager (Alison) who has done so much work in the background by clearing, demolishing and afterwards cleaning the courtyard. Charles also thanked himself (naturally) and WBro Matthar Sambe (Big Chief of course) for painting the Summerhouse, at this point it must be pointed out the builders agreed when seeing “Big Chief”, there was probably enough paint on him to have given another coat to the Summerhouse.
All who attended agreed it has been a worthwhile project especially considering there is a 20 year guarantee on the materials and because the summerhouse has heating and lighting for all year round use which should bring a place of relaxation, peace and time for quiet reflection to the residents. When Bro Stuart Metcalfe of Borough & Ashlar Lodge installed the electricity he added the bonus of a double waterproof socket on the outside of the building, so that Santa Ward (Oops!) can have his Christmas Tree lit up nice and safe without using extensions.
Charles Ward watched by Mike & Allison Emmott (house Manager) Mrs. Sue Lightbown & residents.
L to R: Jeff Ward, Mrs. Wynne Whitehead, Ian Whitehead, Paul Thornton
Mrs. Carol Ward, Mrs Kathryn Thornton & David Lightbown.
Caught in the act! Mrs. Whitehead snapping “the intruders” David Lightbown,
Ian Whitehead Sue Lightbown, Jeff Ward & Charles Ward (no they’re not related!)
One resident is already taking advantage of the new Summerhouse in the daytime
Of course –It’s Teddy the Hewlett Court Mascot wearing his ‘Friends of Hewlett Court’ golf shirt (these can be purchased from Charles).