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Notes from our future history

Part of the current rennovations within Birtley House include the main hallway, with the decadent old wallpaper being removed after almost 60 years and replaced with a fresh but classic look…

Part of the current rennovations within Birtley House include the main hallway, with the decadent old wallpaper being removed after almost 60 years and replaced with a fresh but classic look. Underneath revealed no great surprises however an idea was born to create a little something for the future occupants of Birtley House to discover down the line.

Simon Whalley was recently asked what advice he would give to his great grandchildren? He replied with ‘Be yourself. Believe in yourself. Act for others’, a motto which now has a place in history on one of the original walls of Birtley House. The scribing continues with uplifting messages being shared by staff, residents and visitors, leaving something to be discovered by future generations, whenever the wallpaper is next replaced.

There have already been some lovely messages and murals – including a beautifully drawn Birtley House tree and song notes from Musician Kevin Jacot who wrote, ‘The House is alive with the sound of music’ – our inspiring manager Sylwia got involved and left some words of her wisdom ‘Be a reflection of what you would like to see in others. You get in return what you give’.

As well as messages of support and thanks, there have been some historical connections brought to light with a message from the Hayward Family proving that Birtley House has provided care and comfort year after year – ‘My fathers mother came here in the 1950’s and then my father, John, spent the last three years of his life here, and my mother Ruth, who has survived John, still was here today’.

Following Simons example other members of the Whalley family also joined in, including Simons youngest grandson Richard, at the grand age of 2 years old who gave his contributuion in the form of a child sized hand outlined, next to his mother and fathers hands, Tim & Vicky Whalley.

There is a great belief here at Birtley House that every staff member, resident and family member are part of the larger Birtley House family which is why the messages left are an important and beautiful moment for now, which will one day be discovered as inspiring pieces of history.