Local historian unveils the history of Bluebell Park Care Home

Maxwell greeted residents and guests before revealing the plaque, formally opening the new home. Everyone was treated to a traditional hog roast and given tours of the purpose built home, run by national care provider Barchester Healthcare.

After the tour of the home, Maxwell said: "It's a great pleasure to inaugurate the life of this first Barchester Derbyshire home and I was most impressed by the building. As an architectural historian, I normally tour country houses but was struck by the wide corridors as well as the light and airiness of Bluebell Park.

"I would like to give the home a piece of its local history to put on a windowsill, so have brought an ornament made from Chellaston alabaster, a very famous substance because this part of Derby was known for its plaster pits or alabaster mines."

Maxwell also helped six year old Judith Wicks, a pupil from Homefields Primary School, cut the celebratory cake. Judith gave Bluebell Park its name back when the build began last year.

Bluebell Park opened its doors to residents in autumn and the 64-bed home took just ten months to complete from start to finish. The home provides quality care to the local area offering residential services and dedicated dementia care in Barchester’s unique Memory Lane Communities.

Pauline Hodgson, General Manager at Bluebell said: “The residents and staff alike have really enjoyed meeting Maxwell. The new facilities will provide high quality care for new residents, which is a huge boost to the local community’s care. There’s a lot of interest in this new home and the superb quality of care that we offer in a modern, purpose-built setting.”