COFTON’S newest care home marked its official opening with a celebration of the areas automotive history as a convoy of Pride of Longbridge car club members joined the fun.
Cofton Park Manor care home on Lickey Road, Cofton Hackett welcomed hundreds of locals to its opening event on Sunday (June 4), offering food, arts and craft stalls, a raffle, live entertainment and a display of classic cars built in the heart of Longbridge.
Visitors and residents at the event were treated to a BBQ in the sunshine, refreshments including cakes and sweets, free caricature drawing and a range of stalls selling locally handmade goods.
Following the ribbon cutting, the Longbridge Retirement Village Choir took to the stage before residents and visitors danced to swing music alongside the All About Swing dance training group.
Halesowen dance training group, All About Swing performing at the official opening of Cofton Park Manor care home. Photo by Sonny Rackham.
The care home’s car park was packed full of Pride of Longbridge vehicles including mini’s of all eras and colours, a 1930’s Austin 10 and MG’s new and old.
Registered manager, Kerry Hill (left) and community relations lead, Matthew Brown (right) with classic Austin 10. Photo by Sonny Rackham.
The Pride of Longbridge parade was also joined by a 1944 American Willys Jeep, a Triumph built in Liverpool and a Humber built in Coventry.
Mike Bastin with his 1944 Willys Jeep. Photo by Sonny Rackham.
Cofton Park Manor is a luxury care home providing around the clock care for residents and is owned and operated by Hamberley Care Homes.
Kerry Hill, the care homes registered manager was delighted to see residents mix with the local community and thanked Pride of Longbridge for helping boost visitor numbers.
She said: “We were overwhelmed by the turnout, we wasn’t expecting it.
“Thanks to Pride of Longbridge for bringing back memories for our residents and for encouraging visitors.
“It’s been amazing to have local people that have lived locally sharing their love for the area together.
“We pride ourselves on giving our residents a 5 star hotel experience, with quality care provided by excellent staff and we’re grateful to be able to share that with the community.”
Pride of Longbridge founder, Gemma Cartwright MBE said: “Its an amazing honour to open Cofton Park Manor care home.
“We have come together to celebrate the outstanding facility of the care home and the heritage and community of Longbridge.
“Its been great to show a wide range of cars and share memories with those who worked at the local factories and are now residents of Cofton Park Manor.”
Pride of Longbridge members celebrating the care home’s opening. Colin Stubbs (front left), Tim Stubbs (back left), Andy Cartwright and Gemma Cartwright MBE (front right), Mary Shirley and Chris Shirley (back right). Photo by Sonny Rackham.
Gemma was awarded an MBE in 2009 for her work in restoring hope in the community hit by the collapse of the Rover car plant in 2005, when 6,500 jobs were lost.
She led a delegation to the House of Commons for the Rover Community Action Trust.
Matthew Brown, said: “It was wonderful to see so many here for the official opening and we are very grateful to Gemma and all the Pride of Longbridge members for being here and celebrating with us.
“We are very proud to be able to work here and provide a facility that will benefit so many people.
“We are looking forward to many great events and activities to come when we can invite the community into our home.”
