Ipswich Town FC Footballers Kick off Launch Event

24/06/2008

Footballers from Ipswich Town FC joined special guests and Barchester staff to celebrate the unveiling of the new Barchester Alice Grange Care Home. 
The players kicked off their pre-season a day early, treating guests and residents to a game of ‘keepy-uppy' in the home's extensive grounds and cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the home.

Other special guests include Patrick Jolly, the grandson of the former Kesgrave resident Alice Jolly, who once owned the farmland on which the new building sits, and Whitton Gold Star, the aptly named two-year-old Suffolk Punch horse who made a special appearance with her owners Sandy Hewett and Tom Walne to celebrate the historical connection of the rare breed of horse with the former farmland.

The opening ceremony included a champagne reception, music from a local jazz band and speeches from Tim Hammond, Managing Director of Barchester Healthcare who presented striker Alan Lee of Ipswich Town FC with a commemorative cup to wish them luck in their pre-season matches and Catherine Condon, General Manager of Alice Grange,

Catherine Condon said: "Alice's story is an important part of the local community's history. Looking after others in the community was something very close to Alice's heart and we want the Barchester Alice Grange home to offer care and a fresh lease of life for those from many more local families."

Tim Hammond thanked the Town Council. He added: "Alice Grange is one of our biggest new developments this year and we are delighted to be opening it in Kesgrave.  We welcome anyone who would like to visit and see first hand the superb quality of care that we offer. "