Home   Bury St Edmunds   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Residents at Manson House care home, in Bury St Edmunds, inspired by Miriam Margolyes to become cover stars




Residents at a Bury St Edmunds care home have become cover stars, proving age is no barrier to beauty.

Manson House, in Northgate Street, held photo shoots and turned residents into the cover stars of fictional magazine ‘Stowgue’ – after being inspired by Mariam Margolyes, who last year featured on Vogue’s front cover aged 82.

Residents of the Stow Healthcare Group care home soon proved you are never too old for the spotlight, showcasing their diverse personalities and celebrating their own life stories with their mock front covers.

Elspeth Dennis-Jones. Picture: Submitted
Elspeth Dennis-Jones. Picture: Submitted

The Manson House team set up photoshoots for residents, who donned their favourite outfits and did their hair and make up ready to strike a pose.

The ‘Stowgue’ covers were completed with personalised headlines unique to each resident, capturing elements of their personalities, life histories and their own words of advice, to showcase the beauty and wisdom that comes with age.

Ruth French, Stow Healthcare operations director, said: "We believe every individual, regardless of age, deserves to feel celebrated and valued.

Graham Thompson's cover was one of the top three chosen by Stow Healthcare director Ruth French. Picture: Submitted
Graham Thompson's cover was one of the top three chosen by Stow Healthcare director Ruth French. Picture: Submitted

“I saw Miriam’s Vogue cover last year and thought it was absolutely something our residents could replicate. We wanted to challenge pre-conceived notions about life in a care home and highlight the incredible stories and personalities that live with us.”

One of the Manson House residents who took part said “It was a team effort for all of us, one of my friends here even let us borrow some of her accessories that matched our outfits. It was nice to see everyone dressed up.

“We are not just all sitting back and waiting to die, we are doing things.”

Last week ITV News Anglia visited Manson House and surprised staff and residents with a personalised video message from Miriam Margolyes, who said her motto for life which was ‘live it now, don’t put it off’.

Pat Blakey, 96, was greeted with a superstar welcome at the Positive Steps strength and balance exercise group on Monday after featuring in a 'Stowgue' cover shoot which was broadcast on ITV. Picture: Andy Abbott
Pat Blakey, 96, was greeted with a superstar welcome at the Positive Steps strength and balance exercise group on Monday after featuring in a 'Stowgue' cover shoot which was broadcast on ITV. Picture: Andy Abbott
Pat Blakey, 96, was greeted with a superstar welcome at the Positive Steps strength and balance exercise group on Monday after featuring in a 'Stowgue' cover shoot which was broadcast on ITV. Picture: Andy Abbott
Pat Blakey, 96, was greeted with a superstar welcome at the Positive Steps strength and balance exercise group on Monday after featuring in a 'Stowgue' cover shoot which was broadcast on ITV. Picture: Andy Abbott

Each resident was presented with a framed edition of their final front cover at a Stowgue celebration event, when residents and staff gathered in a 'catwalk style' presentation, raising glasses of fizz to celebrate each other’s finished covers.

And on Monday, 96-year-old Manson House resident Pat Blakey was given a superstar welcome when she made her weekly visit to Southgate Community Centre.

Pat, who was attending her regular Positive Steps strength and balance exercise group, was greeted with cheers after fellow group members saw her television appearance.