At Redcot, the residential care home in Haslemere, Surrey, which is managed by charity Friends of the Elderly, Registered Manager Jan Daly has pulled out all the stops to complete the installation of the care home’s very own pub – The Redcot Arms – for the residents to enjoy in time for the summer months.
Talking about her decision to create The Redcot Arms, Jan said: “Back in December 2022, we had a reminiscence activity where we were chatting to the residents about music halls and first dances. The chat moved on to where everyone had had their first drink, what it was, did they like it and do they still like it now. Everyone really got into the conversation.
“That was it, the seed was planted in my head to create our own pub, I had to make it happen. I spoke to our care team and we all thought it was a great idea to have our very own Redcot pub, as we all thought the residents would really appreciate it.”
The Redcot Arms is actually the repurposed garden visiting room which was in place during the COVID pandemic. Now totally refurbished, the pub has been fitted out with a bar, outside seating with umbrellas and all the accessories you’d find in your local. It even has it’s very own authentic external pub sign and a neon light saying ‘The Redcot Arms, Always Open.’
“We have been very lucky as
Becky Chevis of The Prince of Wales in Hammer Vale has kindly donated garden umbrellas and bar equipment as her pub is currently undergoing a renovation.
“My family owned The Georgian Hotel in the 1960s and early 1970s,” Jan continued, “So I’m no stranger to bars and will definitely be behind the counter serving our residents. I did ask if anyone would like to be the Pub Landlord, but they all agreed they’d much rather sit back, relax and be served.”
The Redcot Arms is totally accessible to all the residents and can be reached in the lower garden at the care home by either the outside Stannah Stair Lift – which takes wheelchairs – or easy steps with handrails.
The Redcot Arms is rather unique as it will not have opening hours. Jan continued: “The Redcot Arms will be open whenever the residents would like to use it. The lower garden and views are lovely, so the residents will be able to make the most of the warm summer days and evenings. Some of the residents love playing cards in the evening after supper, so it will be great for them to be able to sit in the pub garden for their games instead of in the Lounge. It will be a nice change for them.”
The pub will serve an array of beverages including tea, coffee, lager, wine, fruit punch and soft drinks. “We are currently deciding on the ingredients for a Redcot Arms cocktail. We’re thinking about a Rum Punch-like drink with lots of fresh, healthy juices as that’s always nice and summery. Once we’ve agreed on the recipe, we’ll ask the residents to name it for us, so watch this space,” Jan added.
One Redcot resident, Joyce Douglas is very excited for the pub to be opened. Joyce said: “I’m really looking forward to The Redcot Arms being up and running. I think it’s going to be a wonderful place for us all to socialise.”
The Redcot Arms will officially be opened by The Mayor of Haslemere, Councillor Jerome Davidson and Sophie Liard, the internationally renowned ‘The Folding Lady’. Sophie, who ran this year’s London Marathon for Friends of the Elderly, will also be presenting a cheque to the charity for over £8,000
The event will run between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and guests will also be able to enjoy musical performances by Bill Clayton, musical interludes from Connie – Redcot’s Residential Music Therapist – and enjoy a visit from EMS Friendly Farm who will be joining the party in the afternoon.
“We’ll be serving a delicious BBQ lunch and offering lager, wine, fruit punch, soft drinks and hot beverages to our residents and guests – and The Redcot Choir will also be entertaining everyone with a wonderful musical performance. We are all so excited about the opening, it will be a great day, full of fun,” concluded Jan.
The event on 4th July also marks Redcot’s support of Care Home Open Week 2023. The care team will be on hand to give visitors, prospective residents, their families and guests
guided tours of the beautiful care home, giving everyone the opportunity to not only see the full extent of Redcot, but meet the care team, ask questions and find out more about the care home.
If you would like to know more about the opening of The Redcot Arms event, please contact Lisa Hayward via email lisa.hayward@fote.org.uk or on mobile 07801 978647.
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