The Grange Care Home resident, Brenda Smith, has been awarded a 'Recognition of service' for her time in the UK Armed Forces as an Air Defence Radar Operator during the Cold War. At the age of just eighteen, she was part of a team that guided fighters to hostile aircraft in British air space. Brenda was also a great athlete and represented the Royal Air Force in swimming and athletics, her proud husband Russell was delighted to be able to visit to give her the badge and award in person.
“Brenda was surprised and delighted to receive her award,” said Home Manager, Hayley Smith “Here at The Grange we recognise the importance of getting to know our residents and celebrating their life achievements, especially for those living with dementia”.
Brenda was a champion freestyle swimmer for the county of Cornwall where she used to race in the sea. The race consisted of the swimmers being taken two miles out to sea and swimming back and Brenda was known as a serial winner. Staff at The Grange love Brenda’s great sense of humour and her stories of her childhood in Cornwall.
“When I was young serving at RAF Bawdsey, I used to wait until the fellas were marching to work, I would wiz past them on my bicycle and yodel at the top of my voice. This used to cause much hilarity.”
Brenda married Russell on 6th July 1957 in Charlestown church in Cornwall and in 1961 she gave birth to a daughter Alison, followed in 1962 by her son Andrew. Following her service in the RAF, she had a varied career including teaching and later ran a successful business, Quendon Pottery, with her husband. In the past Brenda has enjoyed ballroom dancing, as well as singing in church, where she found a real passion for hymns. Recently, Brenda joined a local ‘Singing for the Brain’ group and ‘Together in Sound’ which she enjoyed going to twice a week with husband Russell.
“Brenda has resided in the Grange Care Home for a little over 4 months now, and although like all of us that have loved ones in a care home, We really miss them, the pain of separation is eased by the fact that I know she is being well looked after by dedicated staff at the Grange. It doesn’t feel like a care home to me, it’s light and airy, beautifully furnished and has the air of a hotel.” Said Brenda’s husband Russell.
“It is always going to be a big decision when deciding on the most suitable home for someone so important. , I would rather have Bren home with me but I know that is not possible, so I feel content with our choice.”
The Grange Care Home is part of the Country Court Group, a family-owned and run business founded in 1983, with the company philosophy “Our family caring for yours”. Country Court has won numerous Great British Care Awards. A previous winner of the Health Investor Residential Care Provider of the Year, Country Court is in the carehome.co.uk Top 20 Large Care Home Groups 2020.
For more information about The Grange Care Home please contact Priya Virdee on 01799 243 005 or email priya.virdee@countrycourtcare.com.
