Friendship honoured with carved chair

KEEN walker George Holden first met sheep farmer Jim Walker more than 50 years ago when he was leading a tour of walkers through his farm in the Trough of Bowland.

Over the years whenever Jim spotted him walking a new group of people through the valley, which is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, he would make sure to lean over a farm gate for a chat. They became friends.

Half a century later, much to their surprise, the two men met again when they moved into rooms next door but one from each other in Longridge Hall Care Home in Preston at about the same time two years ago.

To honour their friendship, George, 95, a talented furniture maker from Longridge, has been working in secret to restore and carve a wooden chair.

With the help of the home’s maintenance operator Craig Ward, George has spent hours renovating a weather-beaten garden chair before painstakingly carving the inscription ‘Jim Walker, Shepherd of Bowland’ into the wood. He also added a Latin inscription ‘Pastor Amica’, which means ‘gentle shepherd’.

George presented Jim, 87, with the chair during a recent event at the home and asked Craig to read out a moving speech he had prepared.

Craig said: “It has been incredible working in secret with George on this project.

“Whenever I’ve had some spare time I’ve collected him from his room and we’ve worked together on the chair.

New Care has appointed Helen Hartley to manage its Bramhall Manor facility. In her new role as registered manager, Helen takes responsibility for the smooth day-today running of the home close to Bramhall village centre. Working with her team of 80 nurses and care professionals, she will ensure high quality personalised care is provided for all residents, ensuring their individual needs and priorities are met and that they enjoy a wonderful quality of life in a warm and friendly environment with fine dining and a varied programme of daily wellbeing activities. Delivering services in a safe and effective manner will also be key to Helen’s new role, ensuring Bramhall Manor remains compliant with infection control and prevention procedures and all Care Quality Commission guidelines.

“He is such a talented craftsman and so creative. While we’ve been working together he has told me all about some of the amazing things he has made over the years, including wooden toys, rocking horses and grandfather clocks.

“It was George’s idea to design the chair and I sanded down the chair and varnished it while he did all the intricate work and chiselled the wording.

“He has fond memories of walking along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland so the lettering is inspired by the original Hadrian typeface.

“Another resident, Ron Hudson, helped by painting all the lettering in black paint.

“It was a big surprise and incredibly moving when George presented Jim with the chair in front of all the residents and George’s daughter, Jean.

“Everyone was amazed and we all had tears in our eyes. It was just so wonderful to see two good pals honouring a 50-year friendship.

“The chair is now in pride of place in Jim’s room and everyone comments on it when they pop in to chat to him.”

Tracey Hartley, manager of Longridge Hall Care Home, added:

“We have such a strong sense of community in the home and the friendship between Jim and George really epitomises this.”

“I love supporting our residents and their families and helping in any way that I can. From the everyday personal care aspect of my role, to administering medications and helping with activities and organising events, every day is different.

“I really enjoy chatting to our residents about their past and understanding what makes them feel comfortable and at home. I feel proud to play a part in our residents’ lives and am looking forward to my new role, which will see me supporting our team’s development whilst continuing to care for our residents.”

Helen added: “I started working in care when I was 16 whilst studying for a BTEC in social care at sixth form college. Over time I have gained more responsibilities, and alongside my daily care and medication roles, I have worked hard to progress in my career.

“I help welcome and settle in new residents when they move to Brookfield Care Home, support team training, look after the care plans and supervise newer team members, but my most admirable skill is my tea making abilities.

“Every situation is made better with a good Yorkshire cup of tea and I like nothing more than catching up with our residents and their families over a brew!

“The people I work with are like one big extended family and to see so many smiling faces and contented residents makes this job worthwhile. My new role will see me continue to make sure all our residents are safe, secure and well cared for, whilst also taking on more managerial responsibilities.”