East Lancashire Masonic Charity

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Hewlett Court

ELMC Residential Home
Newcombe Road , Holcombe Brook, Near Bury, BL0 9XJ.

Chairman:
WBro JN Holt,PJGD

Deputy Chairman:
WBro BB Birch, PAGSuptWks

Secretary/Treasurer:
WBro PD Moots, PProvGSwdB

Appointed Members:
WBro A Hilton, PProvSGW
WBro JF Huddart, PJGD
WBro PL Rothwell, OBE , PJGD
WBro D Stringer. PProvDepGSwdB
WBro D Worthington, PAGDC
WBro D Pilling, PAGSuptWks

Warden: WBro P Crumbleholme, PProvJGW

Hewlett Court provides accommodation for elderly Masons, their wives, and other dependant relatives from predominantly, but not exclusively, the Province of East Lancashire , who are ambulant, in reasonable health and over pensionable age. Hewlett Court is not a Convalescent Home or a Nursing Home and consequently reports for each applicant are obtained from their own Medical Practitioner.

Before permanent entry is approved applicants must reside in the Home for a trial period of two weeks and then return to their normal accommodation. This is to enable them to make sure that they really do want permanent residence, and for their suitability for communal life in the Home to be assessed by the Management Committee.

Temporary holiday accommodation can also be provided for suitably qualified applicants.

House Warden: Telephone: 01204 886552

Secretary/Treasurer: Telephone/Fax: 01204 887531

Main Building
Hewlett Court with Holcombe Hill in the background

Hewlett Court is a residential home providing sheltered accommodation for elderly Masons and their dependants; however, this is rather like saying that a Rolls-Royce Phantom is a saloon car - it's exactly factual but it doesn't tell the full story.

Situated in Holcombe Brook, on the north side of Bury near the foot of Holcombe Hill, Hewlett Court was the custom-built replacement for Walshaw Hall. It affords accommodation for a maximum number of 41 people full-time, plus one additional person as a guest on a pre-booked "holiday" basis (often very useful for the guest's relations). And that's where the similarity to a "normal" residential homes ends; the ethos at Hewlett Court is based on that of a large, happy family home and it's is often fondly referred to as the "Big House"!

The Courtyard Garden The Courtyard Garden & Gazebo from the Dining Room

WBro. Philip Crumbleholme is the main architect of this approach and is quite passionate about it; in fact you could say it that it's in his blood! His Mother and Father were the resident Superintendents at Walshaw Hall and since they were both close to retirement when it closed, Philip applied for the Superintendent's position at Hewlett Court . His application was successful and much of what Hewlett Court is today results from his dedication and commitment.

Philip has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, which has proved a tremendous asset in creating and maintaining Hewlett Court 's ethos. All residents are actively encouraged to be as independent as they want to be and restrictions are limited to common sense and safety. They are encouraged to keep their cars, whenever applicable, and can come and go as they please (although they are advised to inform the staff beforehand, particularly if they intend to miss a meal); however, this can result in some "interesting" moments.

On one occasion a resident went shopping in the town centre and returned in a Fire Engine. She had a note from the Chief Fire Officer explaining that she had tripped-up outside the Fire Station and outlining the first-aide treatment administered to her (a minor dressing and a cup of tea). She was completely unperturbed by the incident but disappointed that the driver hadn't used what she referred to as "the bell" on her return trip.

Another resident was escorted back by the Riot Police! This particular resident got up early one early morning, booked a taxi and departed in it, having mentioned to another resident that she was going to her sisters' funeral. When the duty supervisor became aware of this she immediately contacted the both taxi firm and the Police, knowing that that this particular resident's sister had died some years ago. The resident was subsequently "apprehended" in Manchester Town Centre by a team of the Riot Police, involved in a security exercise which that found so exciting that they elected to "escort" her back to Hewlett Court . Although the whole incident was the result of a very vivid dream Police Force's efficiency has to be admired.

Bessie Residents' activities are not limited to trips outside. Visits by relatives, friends, and Lodge Almoners (in fact, Lodge Members in general) are actively encouraged at any time; there are no fixed visiting hours. These visits often serve as social events, particularly with the Ladies, who delight in introducing their grandchildren to their circle of friends. There's plenty of space available for meetings; in addition to each resident's room there are three lounges and a conservatory which, together with a courtyard garden (also tended by some of the residents) and the extensive grounds in good weather, offer quite a reasonable degree of privacy.

Mrs. Bessie Driver, our oldest female resident, with her grand-daughter (WBro T. Harrison in the Background).

Meal times are an important social event and are currently spiced with soupçon of the unknown; work on a new kitchen is imminent! This has served to focus the minds of the residents on the Hewlett Court fare and three specific trends have been noted:

• the optimists are looking forward to even more improvements in the range of dishes provided (there are six different menus, all with alternative courses, in each year);

• the pessimists are anticipating every possible disaster and dreading a wider range of dishes ("non of this foreign rubbish" e.g. rice );

• the opportunists have opened a book on all these aspects (but so far the odds are said to be "indeterminate").

Residency costs include three full meals a day and kitchenettes are provided so that each resident can make there own additional refreshments, as and when necessary.

More formal entertainment is provided on a regular basis. This includes trips to the local Amateur Dramatic Societies and, on some occasions, meals out; however, this only caters for a minority of the residents. The overall average age of a Hewlett Court resident is just over 87 (we now have twelve who are over 90) and a significant majority, with associated mobility problems, prefer the entertainment to come to them rather than the converse. Bolton District (N o: 16) has recognised this and provides the residents with a four course meal, served at Hewlett Court , followed by entertainment in the main Lounge; this is now a very popular event. On other occasions local Choirs, Folk Groups and Solo Artists provide entertainment, as does the Local Primary School (at Harvest Festival and Christmas) and the Rector of Bury's Own Troop of Cub-Scouts (also at Christmas).

WBro Cook Mobility difficulties also make it difficult for some of the residents to attend Church so the Rector of Bury, Dr. John Findon, visits Hewlett Court every other Thursday to take Communion. This use to take place in one of the smaller lounges but the Rector has built up his flock to such an extent that the main lounge is now required and the residents are very appreciative of the time he spends with them.

Hewlett Court also supports the local community. Philip Crumbleholme is a governor of Holcombe Brook County Primary School and, wherever possible, local traders provide supplies and services. A Member of the Hewlett Court Management Committee is also associated with Bury Hospice and, as a result, two of the small lounges will be used by the Hospice as a temporary day care centre while the actual day care centre at the Hospice is refurbished.

None of our current residents smokes, which is quite fortuitous because we have very efficient alarm system that is directly linked to the local Fire Station. On one occasion, however, we did have a guest who decided to have a cigarette in the early hours of the morning. Inevitably the alarms went off and the Firemen Brigade arrived in minutes. Although it was obviously a false alarm the formal procedure had to be followed and all the main corridors checked. Unfortunately one of our residents, who was in a deep sleep, was disturbed and came out from her room "sans négligé" only to find two young and virile Firemen patrolling the corridor. Afterwards, when asked how she felt she replied "I thought I dreaming and I was in heaven". WBro J D Cook, PGStB, "on light duty"

Hewlett Court isn't heaven - but it does its best. From the residents' view (and their relations), Hewlett Court is as near to a "home from home" as is possible.