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.

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

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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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.

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

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!

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

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.

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.

 (Click on the pictures to enlarge)

Raymon Francis Kenny

1944-2007

On Saturday 28th July 2007, Ray Kenny lost his brave fight against leukaemia at the age of 63. He was with his wife Isabelle and his children Lucy and Tim when he passed away and knew that he was to become a grandfather. Ella Rae was born on 22/02/08.

His funeral was held at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Bampton on Friday 3rd August 2007. It was the largest funeral ever conducted by Reverend John Stone and the collection raised a staggering £1,700 pounds for the Exeter Leukaemia fund. (If you would like to donate money please call (01392) 493344 or email enquire@exeterleukaemiafund.org.uk).

Ray’s Life

Ray was born in Dublin on 27th May 1944. He was proud to be an Irishman & kept his Irish passport. He was the middle of five brothers. All the boys tell how, when their mother was ill, they were kept at home to do the cooking, but it seems likely that Ray was the one who developed the cooking bug from this time. The family ran a grocer’s shop. Ray learned his early schooling in Gaelic, but by the time he went to Westland Row secondary school the family fortunes were declining.

He won a scholarship to Cathal Brua Street, a catering college, & was taught by the legendary Michael Ganly. Ray always forged long-standing friendships, & when the family was forced to leave Dublin, he could have stayed with his dear friend Eugene McGovern, but felt he had to support his family. This was his first period at the Dorchester, facilitated by Michael Ganly.

In 1968, when Ray came back from Switzerland, a friend suggested he went down to stay in Exeter with his parents, an event which had life-long consequences, for he met Isabelle Frost.

When Ray and Isabelle met it was love at first sight for both of them. By the second day he was calling her parents Mum & Dad! She was sixteen & still at school; he was twenty- four. He proposed on January 1st 1970, she finished her A-levels, went to Royal Holloway College & they got married on 28th August,1971 in the Catholic church in Roehampton.

As her father had died the previous year, she was given away by her brother. Next year they would have been together for forty years, & this month they were to have celebrated their thirty-sixth wedding anniversary. Isabelle’s mother adored him, partly because she too was Irish, & loved to fight with him, in true Irish fashion. (In her latter years she came to live at Castle Grove).

As always in their life together, Ray & Isabelle wanted to spend as much time together as possible, so Ray had spent the previous year at Garnett College, training to be a further education lecturer. Subsequently, when he also gained a degree, he was so proud to be one of the first graduate chef lecturers without a single O-level to his name, & having left school at fourteen! He also spoke Swiss German like a native, some kitchen French & Italian, & later learned Spanish.

Ray was always a great provider for his family, so, as well as working at Ealing Hotel school, he did Jewish outside catering jobs in order to support Isabelle through university.

In 1978, Ray and Isabelle moved to Wales & Ray began lecturing in the Hotel & Institutional Management Department at Cardiff University. Ray inspired students from both his eras of teaching & many are still in touch today. He adored imparting his skills which he had gained from his own mentors. He also loved the Dorchester Old Boys reunions, when all the familiar anecdotes were rehearsed. Recently he also went to an Ealing Hotel School reunion.

Isabelle studied for an MA, & they decided to have a family. His adored little girl, Lucy, was born in 1980, & from the start, he was an excellent father. Tim followed in 1982. There is a lovely story that, when he was told in the waiting room, that he had a boy, he said, “No, that can’t be me, we’re having a girl!”

In 1984, a very special event occurred. Bampton & Castle Grove came into their lives, the place which they both loved, & never wanted to leave, & Ray has achieved his dream of being laid to rest in the churchyard, sadly far sooner than we had ever expected. They had decided that they wanted to spend every working day together, &, not expecting to be taken seriously, Ray applied for early retirement, aged thirty-nine. He was given a golden handshake on the condition that he went back one day a week. At this point, they put everything in storage, and went off to Devon with all their worldly necessities in the car (including the dog!) Starting a retirement home with a hotel ethos was the aim, so that the family could spend as much time together as possible & Ray could use his culinary skills & care for people.

From the beginning, Bampton welcomed the Kenny family. The children went to school, & more friendships were forged. The early days were frantically busy, combining cooking, decorating, paperwork, gardening & family life.

Each development was Ray’s brainchild, he adored building projects. One of the saddest things is that he did not live to see the culmination of his latest & final dreams with the current work at Castle Grove.

Ray gave generously of his time to various local organisations, being Chair of Governors at East Devon College for many years, greatly in demand as Master of Ceremonies at Rotary, the sidesman in demand for funerals. As he said so truly, “there are no pockets in a shroud.” It was his pleasure to share what he had worked for with others. This was why, for their thirtieth wedding anniversary, Ray & Isabelle walked five hundred miles to Santiago de Compostella in Spain over a month, raising six thousand pounds towards the rewiring of this church & staying in hostels.

Ray had many memorable holidays with his family, because he loved to provide for them. On his sixtieth birthday, three years ago, a group went to Cephalonia for Captain Kenny’s birthday bash. Last year holidays were spent in Sardinia with Lucy’s new family, the Bulls. There was also a big get-together in Waterrow for his big brother Sean’s sixty-fifth last year. Friends & family were so important to him. He liked nothing more than to organise surprises for Isabelle, the last of which being when he got Simon & Liz Fouracres to take him secretly to Exeter to buy her pearls for Lucy’s wedding. He also loved meeting new people, & giving everyone advice on how to do things! We all find ourselves uttering “Rayisms.”

It was a source of great joy to Ray that Lucy met Nick, & that he knew her marriage would be like his own. He was happy to pass his beloved daughter into Nick’s hands, knowing that Nick would be able to handle her! Sadly, he was diagnosed two weeks before the wedding, but managed to give her away, & lead her down the street, driven by car, as she walked behind. He gave a wonderful speech, without as many tears as at his own, & had a lovely birthday party on the day after, when people were able to tell him how much he meant to them. He also knew in hospital that Lucy & Nick are expecting his first grand-child. We know he would have been an out-standing grand-father.

It is particularly poignant that he worked so hard to regain his fitness after he so nearly died two years ago, near his sixty-first birthday, after his operation.
Ray had so much energy and enthusiasm. Ray’s fitness enabled him to be treated like a man of less than sixty in his final illness. We are grateful to all his brothers for offering to be stem cell donors. He has been spared this, which would have meant a long stay in hospital in Plymouth, away from all he knew & loved.

During his illness he was so brave & got to know everyone’s names in hospital. After his death, the consultant rang & said “He was a fantastic patient.” After thirty-one days he came back to his beloved home, & had two peaceful weeks, going to bed early, having breakfast in bed, walking in the garden, inspecting the building, being visited by friends. He even cooked some meals, & made one of his legendary mince-tarts with his sweet pastry. During his final stay in hospital, he was even able to go in the car with Isabelle to Exmouth & have a little walk along the sea front where they had done so much courting.

Ray, may God bless you and take care of you. We thank God for your life which has enriched and touched the lives of all who remember him. You were loved by all. The family are continuing his legacy at Castle Grove as a unique retirement home upholding his first class standards.