THE staff and residents of Abbeyfield’s Densham Court in Holsworthy held a barbecue on June 15 to celebrate its 40th year.

The sun shone just in time for Holsworthy Town Band to welcome everyone with some classic tunes before the team got the barbecue fired up.

The occasion was made all the more special by the arrival of some special guests. Former housekeeper turned resident Pat Balsdon joined the party and was assisted by her former colleague Jenny Brown to cut a special anniversary cake.

Sadly, another honour guest had passed away before the event — but all present felt that Margaret Eveleigh, who had also worked with Pat and Jenny, was with them in spirit.

A spokesperson said: “It was lovely to be able to catch up with those who were present at the birth of Densham Court and we were able to exchange stories of past and present day at the house.

“We invited Pat Balsdon who was one of the housekeepers from 1994 until 2004 and now a resident at the house and Jenny Brown who worked alongside her to cut the cake. Our only sadness was we had asked Margaret Eveleigh who worked with them during this period and was also a resident at the house to join them, however much to everyone's devastation she passed away a week before our celebration. It was felt Marg was very much present in spirit and in our thoughts and conversations at our celebrations.”

Densham Court provides sheltered housing for ten people. It is a purpose built bungalow and consists of 10 rooms.

A team of four housekeepers provide delicious home cooked meal with lunch and ‘high tea’ served in the communal dining room, making meal times a social occasion.

The spokesperson added: “The team at Abbeyfield have worked hard to introduce longer term plans which will safeguard the future of Densham Court and provide updated accommodation for future generations of Holsworthy residents and outlying villages in the spirit of the hard work put in by it's founder Cynthia Haynes and friends back in 1984 when the house was opened.”

For more information visit www.abbeyfield.com