Court Profile: Minster Court - Retirement Security

Ashby Court
Poker Nights:
“Who needs Las Vegas?” So say some of the
Owners at Ashby Court who meet
together to play poker
regularly. They also
say they will use
real money when
they grow up.
Ashby Court.
Strictly Come
Dancing
In June, Carrs Court arranged a visit to the Tower
Ballroom in Blackpool, nostalgia setting in as many
remembered dancing there in their younger days.
We listened to sessions on the Wurlitzer organ (Yes!
It still rises up and disappears), admired some expert
dancers and enjoyed sandwiches, scones, jam and
cream, tea and coffee. The experts didn’t have the
floor to themselves, as a few Owners also took to
the floor.
Most of us also enjoyed time along the front as it was
a beautiful day weather-wise.
We arrived back safely at about 6:30pm when some
enjoyed fish and chips from the local chippie, a fitting
end to a very enjoyable day.
Edith M. Lundy
Carrs Court
9
“Knit and
Natter” at
Deerhurst
Court
Three years ago, when Mrs Berry arrived at
Deerhurst Court, she was already knitting
blankets for a children’s clinic in Rwanda, since
then she has not only remarried, but gained eight
knitting helpers, who all busily knit and chat during
the daily tea-time “happy hour”.
New Owners have joined the group and
approximately thirty beautiful crafted blankets are
completed and sent off each year. The blankets
keep the sick children warm during the cold
nights and also serve as shawls for the visiting
parents.
Finding sufficient wool is becoming a problem, but
non-knitting Owners very kindly give money from
time to time to buy new wool, thus also helping
in this worthy cause.
Deerhurst Court.
100th
Birthday
Owner Bill Lewis (pictured above with daughter
Pat) celebrated his 100th birthday at Burcot Court
on 18th June. A party was much enjoyed by the
Owners, family and friends and included music
being played by a string quartet at pre lunch drinks
and again after lunch when the cake was cut. His
granddaughter Helen is a professional cellist who
has played in the London symphony Orchestra
and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
On behalf of the Owners, the Court Chairman
– Barry Walker presented Bill with a voucher for
a book shelf to accommodate his growing book
collection as he is an avid reader and 3 bottles
of his favourite whisky.
Bill had a very long and varied career and only
retired from the World Health Organisation when
he was aged 77. He travelled extensively and was
an expert in water quality.
Burcot Court
Birthday Parties:
Minster Court has thrown two birthday parties
recently. Ray Altoft turned 90 and was once a
prisoner of war of the Japanese. He has been an
invaluable Owner/Board member for many years.
Also pictured is Audrey who celebrated her birthday
at Minster Court too and is
originally from Australia.
Minster Court
10
GREYFRIARS
COURT 21ST
Birthday Celebrations
On October 1st 2011 Greyfriars Court celebrated
its 21st Birthday. Preliminary festivities included
a wonderful Celebration Tea when Owners from
Marlborough Court and Saxon Court joined us. The
festivities culminated in a week of major events. We
enjoyed an Owners’ Buffet Lunch; Bob Bessell cut the
cake as he had done at the Court’s 10th anniversary
party. We had an evening of memories arranged by
our Manager, Bronwen Lander, when Owners tried
to guess, from photographs, who was who at 21 and
finally the Mayor of Lewes, Norman Baker MP and
Stephen Ladyman, CEO of RSL joined Owners and
many friends of Greyfriars for a Formal Reception.
An evening of celebration we will never forget.
To pay tribute to Greyfriars Owners past and
present and to remember the staff who supported
the Owners we produced a Celebration Booklet,
“Greyfriars Comes of Age.” This has been a great
success.
Cecily Payne,
Chairman of Greyfriars Social Committee