HERE - Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

WelfareResidential HomesManson House Comprehensive improvement plansExciting developments at RABI's Suffolkresidential home get underway thisautumn. The trustees have undertaken afull review of the home and, after carefulconsideration, decided to redevelop thesite to create more residentialaccommodation and modernise thehome, whilst retaining the character ofthe building.RABI has owned Manson House since1975, although its involvement with theproperty dates back to the 1960s whenManson Court, a block of eight onebedroomself-contained flats was erectedin the grounds for RABI beneficiaries.Subsequently the complex, which stands in1.4 acres, was extended to include furtherdetached accommodation and apartments.At present Manson House has 22 singlebedrooms, only a few of which have ensuitefacilities, and there are also 19rentable apartments. The house, asubstantial listed Grade II* Georgianresidence spanning three floors, has an airof homeliness rather than that of apurpose-built institution, but as a home forthe elderly, with narrow staircases and onlyone lift, it has its challenges.Beaufort House CelebrationsChris Musgrave (centre) presenting the Musgrave Family Charitydonation cheque to head of home Sue Luck and managementcommittee chairman Chris RiddleMembers of the Bucks Farmers’ Ball committee, with Sue Luckand Chris Riddle, in front of the new conservatory which theyfundedFollowing a detailed survey of the mainbuilding in 2009, it was confirmed that,while structurally it was basically in goodorder, repairs costing over £100,000 wererequired. After extensive informaldiscussions with the planning departmentand English Heritage a suitableredevelopment to best meet all thenecessary criteria was agreed.A planning application, to increase thenumber of residential rooms in MansonHouse to 31 (all en-suite) and to replacesome of the other buildings on site toprovide 22 rentable apartments and aguest house, was submitted in March thisyear. Planning consent was granted on 8thJuly and our architects are currentlycompleting building regulationsrequirements with a view to invitingcontractors to submit tenders in November.The project, which it is estimated willcost in the region of £2.8 million (plusVAT), is expected to take three years tocomplete. The work will be carried out inphases designed to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the residentsand tenants who will be living on sitethroughout.RABI has two residential homes, Beaufort House at Burnham-on-Sea and MansonHouse at Bury St Edmunds. Full information about them is available on thewebsite – www.rabi.org.uk or from the welfare department on 01865 724931.One of this summer’s Manson House outings for residents was toBanham Zoo where they were able to enjoy viewing a widerange of animals among the other entertainmentsAffectionately known as the 'knit and natter ladies’, a group ofresidents at Manson House has been knitting jumpers forchildren in MalawiThree years ago the home maintenancemanager, Peter Mason, and a smallteam embarked on the refurbishment ofBeaufort House, our residential home inBurnham-on-Sea. On 30th June acelebratory lunch was held at the hometo mark a significant stage in the workand to thank those who had generouslycontributed towards the cost.To date the refurbishment has costaround £525,000. Carrying out the workin-house over a number of years has notonly kept the cost down, but also ensuredthe highest quality of workmanship andminimal disruption to life at the home.The occasion marked the completion ofthe refurbishment of the residents’ rooms,all of which are now en-suite; the diningroom; and the various communal dayrooms, including the revamping of thegarden room, making it accessible towheelchairs from both inside and outsidethe house.Among those attending were severalmajor donors to the project. They includedSir John Lushington, who oversaw thedistribution of the estate of his relativeMiss Gadesden from which RABI received£174,374; members of theBuckinghamshire County Farmers’ Ballcommittee who have contributed towardsthe continued improvements at BeaufortHouse for many years, including over thepast six years - £19,000 towards a newtherapy room, £20,000 towards up-gradeof rooms, £5,000 for a large screentelevision and DVD player and mostrecently £16,000 for the purchase of anew conservatory; and Chris Musgrave,representing the Musgrave Family Charitywhich has donated £17,400 for theforthcoming refurbishment of the BeaufortHouse kitchen.Thanking all those who hadcontributed, Chris Riddle, chairman of themanagement committee, included theWills family, who were unable to attend.Their donation of £10,000 has enabledthe refurbishment of the garden room inmemory of the late Mrs Wills, who hadbeen a resident in the home.He also thanked Peter Mason and histeam, who are currently working on therefurbishment and up-grade of the flats atBeaufort Court; home manager Sue Luck,her deputy and care manager Sheri Farrowand all the staff whose dedication andloyalty has resulted in Beaufort Housebeing awarded the highest quality ratingby the Care Quality Commission in 2009.www.rabi.org.uk8