Langford House closes

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 6

Langford House closes

The’ “old boys and old girls” of Langford House met to farewell .their former home and fellow residents yesterday morning.

The last of the 58 residents of the home moved out at the week-end, after the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council decided to close it because of increased costs. About 100 former residents, staff, and council members gathered at the home yesterday for a farewelb morning tea. Many -of the elderly residents said they were sad to leave the home.

: “I feel terrible and everyone feels the same as me. It is such a lovely place and all the people are so lovely,” said one woman who had lived in the home for two years.

Miss Martha Campbell, who had lived in Langford House’for 16 years, said it was “a nice quiet and homely place.” The residents, several of whom are now aged in their 90s, had had 'many good times and memories, she said. -

Another nearby resident regretted the closing of the home. He had been allowed to eat at the home with the residents once a day for $l. It was also a sad day for the matron; Mrs Violet Black, and the 22 staff, who offered two weeks w.ages

each in December to help keep the home open. Mrs Black, who now plans to retire, has worked at Langford House for 21 years, 19 years as the matron. “The residents are sad to leave Langford House. It was special because it was so homely and they were free to do what they liked,” she said. All the residents had found new homes, although three were still , in temporary accommodation in the meantime, she said. Nearly all the staff had found other jobs. “Today’s party is lovely. I thought it would be much

sadder, but the residents are all so happy to be back together,” she said. The closure of Langford House also marked the end of an era for the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council. The council was set up when Langford House, a former hotel and maternity home, was bought in 1952, said the council’s secretarymanager, Mr J. J. Chadderton. Mr Chadderton said the Battersea Street, Sydenham, property wuld be sold. The building would probably be demolished and the land used for industrial development.