A local solicitor once described Castle Grove Care Home as “the Dorchester of care homes!” Castle Grove was first recognised as an Investor in People in 1996 with their latest re-assessment recently they have clocked up an impressive 14 years as Investors in People. Established in 1984 as a Residential Home, Castle Grove offers a full range of care from Day Care, sheltered independent housing, residential and full nursing care. They were recognised by Recognising Excellence, the Investors in People Centre for the South West.

Proprietor Isabelle Kenny commented: “I am proud to be re-recognised  as an employer who understands the essential part played in a successful business by its staff. The ethos of Castle Grove as a “hotel with nurses” which responds to the changing needs of its residents is upheld by the staff. Our reputation, founded on  my late husband Ray’s first-class standards, has been maintained by the loyal staff who have inculcated those values in staff who never knew him.”

Recognising Excellence assessor, Ian Fuller commented: “I am delighted that Castle Grove has, once again, achieved a successful review against Investors in People. People there are encouraged to put forward ideas on how to identify things that might be done differently to offer an improved service or experience for residents. All those interviewed confirmed their line manager was approachable, supportive, motivating and actively interested in their development and maintenance of standards. There is a consistently strong understanding of the home’s key priorities and issues and staff are well aware of their contribution towards meeting them.”

Investors in People’s aim is to help employers across the UK to develop their businesses by making the most of their most valuable asset – their people.

Just as during last year’s snow, the staff at Castle Grove has risen to the challenge of the inclement weather. Isabelle & those with 4×4 vehicles (and tractors) have helped people to get to work & others (including Tim Kenny, Isabelle’s son) have stood in for those who could not make it. Tim used to wash up as a youngster (he is now 27) so it was no change there!

Paths have been cleared in the snow & milk was delivered by tractor (we get it from a local farmer). Vegetables were brought by Ian in a wheelbarrow from the Bampton greengrocer.

Amongst Ian’s more unusual tasks was climbing down the back of the house on a ladder to rescue Molly, the cat, who had fallen into a snow-drift & couldn’t get out. Our amazing hens have continued to lay throughout this cold snap.

Ian was helped in clearing the snow by Trevor, the husband of Patsy, one of our carers & John. Topsy, the dog, supervised them in the arduous task of creating a snowman in the rose-garden.

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The festive period went with a swing at Castle Grove with a whole host of activities for the residents.  The vicar’s daughter Sarah Martin visited on Christmas Eve to play the piano and accompany the residents who were in fine voice for Christmas Carols.

Plus, Santa paid a visit with his helper, Topsy the dog (well the reindeers need a rest at some point!).

Also on hand was Isabelle’s grand daughter Ella Rae who handed out the presents.

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September 17th 2009 marks 25 years exactly since Ray and Isabelle moved to Castle Grove – stage one of realising their dream of a retirement home with a difference.

Click on the image below to view the leaflet produced for the day.  You will see how Castle Grove has grown and developed since 1984.

Key dates…

September 17th 1984
The Kenny family arrives at Castle Grove.

February 19th 1985
Our first resident is admitted.

May 1988
The Annexe is opened.

September 1989
Grove House, the Kennys’ new house is completed.

August 1992
16 Castle Street is purchased for sheltered housing.

1997
14 Castle Street is purchased for sheltered housing.

1998
The Stables are converted into sheltered housing.

2007-8
The Schoolroom is converted & new lifts installed.

Isabelle’s speech…

Today is a bittersweet occasion for me & my family. Sweet because it marks how far we have come in 25 years, but bitter because the other half of the team is not here to celebrate with us. He would have been very proud and made a much better speech than me (although it would have been longer!)

It is strange to think that some of you here today never had the privilege of knowing my husband Ray, who was the driving force behind the successful business we enjoy today.

In our early days at Castle Grove he decorated, cooked the meals, cut the grass and returned to Cardiff University weekly to teach. At that time we had two small children and no night staff. When we looked after the first resident who died here we set the alarm clock to go off every two hours in order to turn her. Our own living accommodation dwindled to two bedrooms and a bathroom above the kitchen.

At this time we were grateful for the welcome afforded to us by Bampton. Until we demolished the wall some people had never seen inside the grounds. Many staff, past & present supported us, and continue to make Castle Grove the special place it is today.

It is difficult to explain how different Castle Grove was when we arrived. It was a somewhat dilapidated family home. There were 2 paddocks where the bungalow now stands & where the annexe, my house & the new drive are now. Every single plant & tree in the area around the drive was planted by us. Where the schoolroom now stands was a greenhouse and an old building, both of which had seen better days. The Stables were a ruin, covered in ivy. I have to say that it was Ray’s vision and dogged determination which provided the impetus for change. He was never easily daunted.

Although we were very green when we embarked on the challenge of Castle Grove (indeed, I do not think we would be registered if we started again today!) we were fortunate not to anticipate many of the difficulties which lay ahead of us. I think it has helped the special ambience that we were residents ourselves. To this day I eat the same meals as the residents, which is a good barometer of standards. (I am very fussy, so I would be a difficult resident to satisfy.)

Many of you here today have supported us through thick & thin & for that I am very grateful. I am especially thankful to our children, Lucy & Tim, & to Nick, Lucy’s husband, for all their help, especially during the last two years.

Let us raise our glasses to Castle Grove, to its continued success, and to the happiness of all who are here today. Let us also remember all those who have gone before and are not here to celebrate with us.

Pictures of the day…

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PLEASE NOTE NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Isabelle Kenny would like to donate £100 to each organisation in recognition of Castle Grove’s Silver Juilee, to be celebrated in September 2009.

Isabelle says -

“Bampton has been very kind to Ray & me, and I would like to recognize that by giving something back to the community in which we have been so happy.”

Applications will be accepted in writing by 17th August.

The address you need is -

Castle Grove, Bampton, Devon, EX16 9NS.

You can email us info@castle-grove.co.uk, or fill out the form below.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

The two bishops from the diocese of Exeter, Bishop Michael and Bishop Bob have been perambulating the district in commemoration of eleven hundred years since the founding of the diocese.  Castle Grove was chosen as a venue in Bampton and His Grace, Bishop Bob celebrated communion with the residents.

Also present was the Reverend John Stone who celebrates communion once a fortnight regularly in the home.

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Castle Grove residents certainly weren’t left in the dark when the first phase of the digital switch over took place in Bampton on 6th May.  At 06.00 the analogue signal for BBC2 was switched off, to make way for the new BBC digital services.  Here are the new channels that the residents could recieve :-

1 BBC One South West
2 BBC Two England
7 BBC Three
9 BBC Four
70 CBBC Channel
71 CBeebies
80 BBC News
105 BBC Interactive text
301 BBCi 301

To make sure the residents’ television viewing was not interrupted, a team of engineers visited each and every room, installing “freeview” boxes where necessary.  This meant that they could still watch all of their favourite channels.

On May 20th, engineers went back to  Castle Grove again when all of the analogue channels were switched off.  Here is a complete list of what the residents are now able to watch.  The added benefit is that residents are able to listen to the BBC network radio stations through their television.  Below is a list of everything available to them :-

1 BBC One South West
2 BBC Two England
7 BBC Three
9 BBC Four
70 CBBC Channel
71 CBeebies
80 BBC News
105 BBC Interactive text
301 BBCi 301 3 ITV1 Westcountry
4 Channel 4
5 FIVE
6 ITV2
10 ITV3
13 Channel 4+1
14 More4
24 ITV4
28 E4
85 BBC Parliament
87 Community
100 Teletext
101 Teletext Holidays
104 Teletext on 4
105 BBC Interactive text
302 BBCi
303 BBC News Interactive
700 BBC Radio 1
701 BBC 1Xtra
702 BBC Radio 2
703 BBC Radio 3
704 BBC Radio 4
705 BBC Radio 5 Live
706 BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
707 BBC Radio 6 Music
708 BBC Radio 7
709 BBC Asian Network
710 BBC World Service
728 Heart

Assisted by Jonathan Whitton, head chef at Castle Grove, the residents decided to make some Easter biscuits. These were so delicious that a quantity disappeared before those residents not participating were able to sample them!

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Headline – The Spring

Why not take a moment to look at how beautiful Castle Grove looks in the spring, with daffodils and bulbs planted throughout the gardens.

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Francese Knowles enjoyed a day not to forget at Castle Grove, sharing her 100th birthday with friends and family.  Some of her relatives flew over from Australia for her special day.

As you would expect, Mrs. Knowles was looking forward to a telegram from The Queen.  However, due to the severe weather conditions experienced in Bampton , she nearly went without as the local postman John Harris struggled through the snow!   This story made it into The Telegraph (Click on the picture to enlarge).

Here is an extract from The Telegraph -

Treacherous roads and snowbound homes caused the suspension of many delivery rounds last week, particularly in rural areas.

But John Harris, 63, drove through blizzards to deliver the Queen’s message to Francese Knowles at the Castle Grove nursing home, Bampton, Devon, seven miles from the Royal Mail delivery office in Tiverton.

Mrs Knowles said she was “thrilled” as were two generations of her family who had travelled from Australia to be at her birthday party on Sunday.

“We were not allowed out for a good part of the week,” said Mr Harris, a postman for 18 years. “Even the townspeople could not get around. The pavements were deadly.

“I am not being heroic. Some of the roads were quite dodgy but I was just doing my job.”

 To view the full story please click here.

It also appeared in the  Western Morning News - (Click on the picture to enlarge).

 Here is an extract from the Western Morning News -

“When blizzards paralysed the Westcounty last week, thousands of workers opened their doors, saw up to 22 inches of snow, and went back to bed.  Heroic postman John Harris had other ideas.  Treacherous roads and snowbound homes made it impossible for the army of Royal Mail workers to do their rounds, especially in the countryside.

But Mr Harris, 63, noticed something special in the dark recesses of his postbag: a message from the Queen congratulating a Devon resident on reaching her 100th birthday.

Allowed out for special deliveries only, Mr Harris risked the wrath of the weather and delivered the letter to the snowbound Castle Grove nursing home in Bampton, a rural town seven miles from the Royal Mail delivery office in Tiverton.

Francese Knowles, the recipient, was “thrilled”, as were the two generations of her family who travelled from Australia to be at her birthday party on Sunday”.

To read the full story please click here.

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With Bampton in the grip of icy weather, it was all hands to the pump on Friday as snow kept many staff from work. Only those who live in the village were able to make the journey, meaning that several people had to step in at the last minute – including Isabelle Kenny! With an empty kitchen and hungry residents, she quickly donned her Chef Whites – and hat! – and got cooking.

With a crack team of staff, paths were soon cleared, residents fed and watered and log fires lit. Isabelle turned out some top notch food; including Savoury Mince, Vichy Carrots, two potato dishes and Baked Rice Pudding – served to applause from the residents who were glad of the hot food!

“It was hard work for us all but I’m truly grateful to everyone who came in today; it just proves that teamwork conquers all!”

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A Vision Accomplished

The vision…

The reality…

It has long been part of Ray & Isabelle’s business plan to achieve level access to all areas.  The installation of four new lifts was funded by a complicated building project involving six new state of the art rooms (en suite like all our rooms) and a spectacular Orangery.

As Castle Grove is a listed building, local stone and reclaimed slates were used in order to construct a new building in keeping with the original.  

The old building was re-roofed, repainted inside & outside, and the opportunity was taken to convert some older bathrooms into wet rooms.

The whole project took 16 months and was well worth the disruption in order to produce a building which complemented the beautiful Georgian original, without compromising 21st century standards.  Little touches which enhanced the project include a fountain, a terrace and of course, acres of new carpet.

The Opening

The official opening of the Orangery took place on Friday 28th March 2008.  Here is how the event was reported in the Tiverton Gazette.  

“Residents and staff at Castle Grove Nursing Home in Bampton have been celebrating the completion of a million-pound refurbishment.

The 16-month project created six new rooms plus an attractive orangery, fountain and four extra lifts. Ray Kenny, who founded the home with wife Isabelle in 1984, sadly succumbed to leukaemia last July before the completion of the scheme.

But friends and family gathered on March 28 to see Tiverton and Honiton MP Angela Browning perform the official opening ceremony.

The ceremony was relayed to residents via a groundbreaking video link and was followed by a champagne and buffet lunch.

Rev John Stone blessed the building and speeches were made by Mrs Kenny and the couple’s first bank manager, Robert Hodge.”

Reverend John Stone, Angela Browning MP, Isabelle Kenny & Sue Thomas. Plus, Isabelle’s grand-daughter Ella Rae Bull, born 22/02/08.

Angela Browning MP unveils the plaque to open the Orangery.

Reverend John Stone blesses the Orangery.

A view of the Orangery before the launch got underway.Guests enjoy the light and spacious environment after the speeches.

A view of the Orangery before the launch got underway.

The plaque dedicated to the memory of Ray Kenny.

The view from the balcony of the Orangery.

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Read all about the opening of The orangery by clicking here.

 

Read all about the opening of The orangery by clicking here.

Click on the picture to stop it rotating, then drag to move the image left, right, up or down.  You can also use the buttons below the image to stop, start, zoom in and out.

View more -

• The Rose Garden
• The Lounge
• The Dining Room
• View from the drive
• View of Bampton

Click on the picture to stop it rotating, then drag to move the image left, right, up or down.  You can also use the buttons below the image to stop, start, zoom in and out.

View more -

• The Main House
• The Lounge
• The Dining Room
• View from the drive
• View of Bampton

Click on the picture to stop it rotating, then drag to move the image left, right, up or down.  You can also use the buttons below the image to stop, start, zoom in and out.

View more -

• The Main House
• The Rose Garden
• The Dining Room
• View from the drive
• View of Bampton

Click on the picture to stop it rotating, then drag to move the image left, right, up or down.  You can also use the buttons below the image to stop, start, zoom in and out.

View more -

• The Main House
• The Rose Garden
• The Lounge
• View from the drive
• View of Bampton

Click on the picture to stop it rotating, then drag to move the image left, right, up or down.  You can also use the buttons below the image to stop, start, zoom in and out.

View more -

• The Main House
• The Rose Garden
• The Lounge
• The Dining Room
• View of Bampton

Click on the picture to stop it rotating, then drag to move the image left, right, up or down.  You can also use the buttons below the image to stop, start, zoom in and out.

View more -

• The Main House
• The Rose Garden
• The Lounge
• The Dining Room
• View from the drive

Another Brick in the Wall

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Castle Grove has completed its major redevelopment works. The project took two years to compete. As well as brand new state of the art accommodation for residents, there is a stunning centre piece, “The Orangery” which provides a light and airy day room for everybody on site to benefit from. Click here to read more about it.

Before the building work got underway, an evaluation of the proposed site requested by Mid Devon District Council uncovered an 18th Century wall. It’s thought that a row of cottages existed on the site long before Castle Grove. “The Croft” was demolished somewhere between 1749 and 1760.

For a complete gallery of pictures, please click here.

This is how “The Orangery” looks.

Another view of “The Orangery”.

A bird’s eye view of “The Orangery” including the patio area.

The area between the two large trees now houses the “The Orangery“. It is joined at first-floor level to the school room (pictured left) which has been converted into two bedrooms on each floor.

The old school room and land running along Castle Street now houses the new accommodation. The extension will steps down into the gardens, creating four new rooms.

A shot of the old school room before the building work got underway…

…It definitely needed a facelift!

Here are the exact details of where the new accommodation and “The Orangery” will be and how the school room will be developed.

THE BIG DIG

Before the new building work got underway and as a condition of the planning consent, an evaluation was requested by Mid Devon District Council on the advice of Devon County Council archaeological officer Stephen Reed.

Field archaeologists Cai Mason and Peter Fairclough from Context One Archaeological Services, Wincanton, Somerset, did the digging.

Cai said: “We don’t find stone walls that often because when a building’s demolished the stone’s usually taken away and used elsewhere. It’s nice to find such a complete structure.”

Nichola Burley, of Heritage Vision, Beer, compiled the planning application for Castle Grove’s owners, Ray and Isabelle Kenny.

She said: “The evaluation is being done before the builders get on site so alterations can be made to the plans if necessary. “As long as everything’s recorded then it won’t require an archaeological working group to be here during the build. It’s very expensive to insure against finds made at the time of a build, which is why it’s best to get it done now.”

The wall has been logged and covered up again. The artifacts found on the site have gone into the Devon Historic Environment Records.

 

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As reported in the Tiverton Gazette - 

The event marked Investors in People Week and saw Quality South West congratulating organisations that have been continuously recognised as an Investor in People for more than 10 years.

Among employers represented at the event were cheesemaker Quickes Traditional, Castle Grove nursing and retirement home in Tiverton, Exeter-based Education & Training Skills, Exeter City Council, Ellen Tinkham Special School in Exeter, Crediton-based circuit board maker Graphic Plc, engineering design consultancy Pell Frischmann and Veitch Penny solicitors.

The organisations were presented with certificates by John Hirst, chief executive of the Met Office, who hosted the event.

Mr Hirst said: “It was fantastic to meet so many people from organisations who have demonstrated their commitment to their people over such a long term.”

David Tew, operations director at Quality South West, said: “Investors in People provides organisations with a business tool to enable them to develop and value their key resource — their people.”

As reported in the Tiverton Gazette -

The money was raised for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund by the Bampton 10k Run held in June. And the cheque was presented to the charity’s Mark Whittle by Ian and Gill Buchanan, who organised the run on roads around Bampton.

Ray and Isabelle Kenny of Castle Grove have been the main sponsors of the event for several years, and when Ray died from leukaemia in July last year, a group of friends and colleagues were ‘running for Ray’.

The money will be put towards the ELF Garden Project at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

Ian and Gill would like to thank Isabelle for her continued support of the 10k and HepcoMotion for sponsoring the fun run, which generates money for the Bampton Church of England School.