Mayor celebrates 60th anniversary of Halifax care home

Councillor Howard Blagbrough took part in the festivities at the Leonard Cheshire Disability White Windows service, and went on a tour of the service to find out more about the people living there.

He said: “I was honoured, delighted and privileged to have been invited to visit to White Windows Residential Home to help residents celebrate 60 years of its existence – this was quite moving, especially as one resident had lived there throughout the whole period.

“During my visit, I spoke with a number of residents who had welcomed me into their home. One lady showed me a picture of a former Mayor and explained that she was related – I had only just seen this picture in the newspaper. As this was one of my first engagements, I will have fond memories of the special day.”

Friends and family of the people who live at White Windows also came along to celebrate, as well as local supporters. The nostalgic event included a display of photos and press cuttings about White Windows’ history.

Everyone there was also marking a special birthday, with the home’s oldest resident, Eric Thomas, turning 80. Councillor Blagbrough joined everyone in singing happy birthday to him.

Eric has lived at the home since it opened on 1 January 1986 and said the joint anniversary and birthday party was: “Very good, excellent.”

Fellow resident Emma L Campbell also had fun, saying: “It was good, well-deserved (celebrations) and I enjoyed it.”

Also in attendance was Pat. Horrocks-Taylor, whose father Dr Laycock was the original doctor at White Windows. He was also part of a group of local people to invite Leonard Cheshire to a public meeting in Halifax in the early 1950s, which lead to them raising funds to buy White Windows.

Pat said: “I thought the 60th celebrations and Eric’s 80th birthday was wonderful and nostalgic. It was very well attended by friends and family, we pulled out all the stops.”