Julia Hales-Coleman (93) celebrating 30 years at Ridout House with matron Norma Parkinson. Picture: Collette Bisson (00873038)

A SPECIAL party was held at Ridout residential care home, Midvale Road, this month for 93-year-old Julia Hales-Coleman to celebrate her 30 years’ residency at the home.

A former school teacher, she originally came to Jersey from the south of England to look after her late mother, Maisie Anderson, who was in her eighties and lived at Mount Bingham.

She explained that the move to Ridout House was at the invitation of the late Betty Le Brocq, chairman of the Caesarea Association, which runs the home. Her family is still represented on the current committee with daughter-in-law Jurat Sally Le Brocq.

‘Mrs Le Brocq offered me a room,’ said Mrs Hales-Coleman. ‘I initially considered I might be a little too young, but thought if I left it till later, a room might not be available.

‘I have lived here for 30 years and have been very happy. It’s a small home with a very friendly atmosphere and the matron, Norma Parkinson, is one in a million.’

Committee chairman Jeremy Johnson explained that the original aim of the association, when set up in 1970, was to provide a permanent home for the elderly who rented rooms at hotels and guest houses over the winter but were left with the problem of finding accommodation during the tourist season.

He said that fees were kept at a very affordable level as the association operated as a charitable, non-profit making organisation.