Date: September 2008
LOCAL MP MEETS QUEEN VICTORIA AT RICHMOND PAINSWICK!
A Victorian garden party, staged by residents and staff of Richmond retirement village in Painswick to raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice Trust and Age Concern Gloucestershire, was officially opened by Queen Victoria (alias resident, Mrs Pauline Foreman) and her 'faithful servant' John Brown (whose real name is Dr John Kayes, also a resident) and attended by Labour and Co-operative MP for the Stroud constituency, David Drew.
The extravaganza of Victorian style fun and games was held at Richmond Painswick's beautiful rooftop gardens, where volunteers from the two charities all donned Victorian costume, from top hats and frock coats to parasols and bustles, and helped to run stalls selling sweets, books and Victorian posies. Visitors also enjoyed a country dancing display by children from the Croft Primary School in Painswick, Victorian music hall songs by the Age Concern Gloucestershire Choir, the Silver Singers, and music by Acorns' Folk Duo. Youngsters also enjoyed face painting and a Punch and Judy show, as well as a tombola, raffle and some traditional games.
Susie Oakley, manager of Richmond Painswick, said: “The residents, Richmond staff, charity volunteers and children made a huge effort to look the part, and they worked really hard to make sure visitors had a brilliant day. We're very pleased to have raised over £1,100 for our two chosen charities.”
Andy Jarrett, Acorns’ community fundraiser for Gloucestershire and Christina Snell, chief executive officer for Age Concern Gloucestershire, said: “We are delighted to be working in a three way partnership with Richmond Villages, and very grateful that they are fund raising on our behalves. The proceeds from today will be used in services to help children and older people in the area who are in need. A big thank you to all involved!”
Richmond Painswick is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the southern slopes of this Cotswold village. It offers a range of retirement homes including luxury village apartments for independent living, serviced apartments providing award winning assisted living, plus a small 24 en-suite bedroom nursing home. With its meticulously maintained landscaped gardens, the environment offers peace, security and a sense of community to residents. Its superb facilities include a roof top restaurant, library, shop and its own state-of-the-art spa complex which boasts gymnasium, pools and treatment areas for both hair and beauty.
For further information about Richmond Painswick, visit the Richmond Villages website at www.richmond-villages.com or telephone: 01452 813902.
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Issued by: Maria Graham-Martin/Tracey Bretherton
tracey.bretherton@lawsonclarke.co.uk
LawsonClarke PR
Tel: 01285 658844
Fax: 01285 650080
Ref: RV47/2008 www.lawsonclarke.com
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Pictured officially opening Richmond Painswick's Victorian garden party are, left to right: Labour and Co-operative MP for Stroud, David Drew, Christina Snell, chief executive officer for Age Concern Gloucestershire, Queen Victoria (alias resident, Mrs Pauline Foreman) and her faithful servant John Brown, whose real name is Dr John Kayes, also a resident, Andy Jarratt Acorns' community fundraiser for Gloucestershire, and Susie Oakley, village manager at Richmond Painswick.
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Enjoying the Victorian garden party at Richmond Painswick are, left to right: Jo Weatherall, hairdresser at Richmond, Labour and Co-operative MP for Stroud, David Drew, Kitty Smithies, resident, and Tony Phillips, head of maintenance at Richmond Painswick.
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Elizabeth Forbes (centre), a visitor to Richmond Painswick's Victorian garden party watching a demonstration of
bobbing lace.
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Anyone for tea? - Queen Victoria, alias resident, Mrs Pauline Foreman and her faithful servant John Brown, whose real name is Dr John Kayes, also a resident, at Richmond Painswick's Victorian garden party.
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