Wandering down memory lane

You will be familiar with Oaklea’s ambitious plans to transform a former Council Care Home in Appleby, Cumbria. Well we’re also reflecting some of the history and human stories behind the former Edenside Care Home as we prepare to transform it into Extra Care Housing for local elderly people.

We recently met up with 2 lovely former employees of Edenside who still live in the Appleby area. Joyce was in charge of the cooking for 37 years. Janet was a Care Assistant who rose to become Acting Manager – 28 years service.They recall many great days at Edenside. Joyce recalls them having several 100 year old birthday parties – and even one for a resident who was 110! Joyce; “We even had some marriages. I did notice retired people came in younger in the early days but now will be much older as we are living longer.” Most residents came from Appleby and the immediate area. But some came from as far as Kendal as it was set up by the former Westmorland County Council and Kendal was just down the road.

Blast from the past – You can see Joyce relaxing from yet another stint in a busy kitchen catering for 31 permanent residents.

As cook in charge she also had to come up with ideas for special occassions – including this special Christmas menu.

If you have connections to Edenside – let us know as we will want to reflect this when it rises again E:Get in touch

Janet on her long service; “I knew it was time to retire when people began to mistake me for one of the residents.” Joyce summed up the atmosphere at Edenside: “It was a very happy home – we had cakes for everything.” You really can’t argue with that!