Pubs open at care homes Little Haven in Dibden Purlieu and Bickerley Green in Ringwood
TWO New Forest care homes have turned on the taps and installed pubs for their residents.
Those at Little Haven in Dibden Purlieu and Bickerley Green in Ringwood can now gather over a swift pint after both sites built boozers.
Bickerley Green’s new pub-themed function room is called Inn on the Greene – with a “traditional local boozer atmosphere”.
It was created thanks to the financial support of Ringwood & District Old People’s Welfare Association (ROPWA) and a generous legacy of Michael Lingam-Willgoss who was known as ‘the Voice of Ringwood’.
Project leaders Sarah Jeneson and Tracey Cotterill turned an under-used space at the home into a “welcoming, fun and sociable space for all the residents to enjoy”.
Michael, who passed away in 2022, left money in his will to support the work of ROPWA which provides a wide range of support to the older members of the community.
Marni Lingam-Willgoss, Michael’s widow, said she was sure he would have “wholeheartedly approved” of the pub.
At its official opening were members of ROPWA, Bickerley Green staff, several residents, Marni and her daughter.
Marni proudly cut the opening ribbon and declared the Inn on the Greene officially open.
Keith Adams, a committee member of the Ringwood & District Old People’s Association, said: “Bickerley Green is an essential part of the local community.
“All members of the committee who were able to attend the opening celebration took great delight in seeing how ROPWA’s continued support along with the legacy left by Michael can benefit every resident and their family/friends to have a sociable space to enjoy.”
There were also drinks all round at the Ageless Ales pub at Little Haven in Dibden Purlieu.
The bar was built by maintenance workers at the home, run by charity the Wilverley Association, with a “lot of love and care”, said the association’s Jamie Young.
He added: “It really has turned out brilliantly. It’s a lovely place and residents are so pleased with it. One lady who normally does not come out of her room much has been down for a look and says she cannot wait to sit by the fire in it and read a book.”
The pub, Jamie said, was installed to “bring the outside in” to the home in The Rise. He said: “Since Covid many of our residents don’t feel like going out to places.
“But they do miss it and the pub gives them the chance to have a drink and a chat. Relatives and friends will also be welcome.
“We think it is going to be very popular and there will be a full range of drinks on offer including cocktails and mocktails.”
Jamie said the pub has been made “even more special” due to the fact it was built by maintenance employees who work at the home already rather than outside contractors.
He explained: “A lot of love and care has gone into it. The senior management team have done a fabulous job with designs, etc. They put in so much work; it looks amazing.”
