An exciting discovery was made yesterday at HC-One’s
Market Lavington residential, nursing and residential memory care home, in Devizes, in the form of a very interesting photo dated from 1941.
In the process of clearing out a cupboard, in preparation for the exciting refurbishment that is happening soon, Riaz Ali, Wellbeing Coordinator stumbled across a picture dated 1941 of the Home Guard outside the Vicarage (the Vicarage now comprises one part of the site that houses the kitchen, administration offices and Residents’ rooms).
To find an item such as this, which raises so many fascinating questions, became a wonderful talking point for Colleagues at the home. This afternoon they will be holding a reminiscence group for Residents where Riaz will spring this photo upon them and anticipates it triggering some interesting discussions!
At the time of writing, there is very little information to go on, but Colleagues are researching this! The photo was also posted on the Market Lavington Community Board on Facebook which elicited some wonderful and helpful responses from the local community.
They will also be involving St Barnabas Junior School, a local school that the home has built a wonderful relationship with, in their investigations and hopefully the children can take copies home to their families who may even recognise some of these gallant and honourable gentlemen in the photograph.
Riaz commented, “We wonder how long the Home Guard was stationed here? Did they actually carry out training exercises within the grounds? After the war, did the property return to the vicar or was it used for something else from between 1945 and when it first became a care home (which we are guessing happened around the late 70s or early 80s?).”
“It is going to be fascinating and rewarding to explore all of these questions and then let our Residents know of the history of this building!”
“We also plan to significantly enlarge the photograph, frame it, and it will look incredible on the wall of the main foyer once our refurbishment is completed!”
Natasha Howard, Home Manager, added, “This is absolutely fascinating and I have loved researching this and look forward to further information that we may uncover!”