The Tithebarn is a care home in Crosby that held its first Open Day on a tranquil and sunny Sunday afternoon. The event was meticulously organised by Graham Chambers, former Chairman of Ormskirk and Bootle Group and Chairman of the Friends of Tithebarn.
Visitors enjoy the sunshine at The Tithebarn. There were many visitors, including the Dickinson’s, who attended with three generations of their family. The visitors were greeted in the rear garden, where a large marquee had been erected by members of the Light Blues Club the previous Thursday evening. The visitors were then given a guided tour of the extensive facilities within the care home and around its beautifully landscaped grounds.
During the tour of the grounds, the visitors were taken to a duck pond and some very friendly hand reared ducks and then through the sensory garden walkway, which allows residents and their guests to enjoy a quiet wander, while taking in the impressive scenery. The tour ended in the marquee with a cup of tea and a tasty scone, home baked by Graham and his wife Ann.
Tithebarn staff and Masonic volunteers, such as John Boyd, Arnie Neale, Stephen Oliver, David Lyon and Alan Ray were also on hand to answer any queries and to help with directions. The Tithebarn was the second building to be built in the Crosby area. The original building was constructed in the 1450s and was used by the local farmers as a granary to store, a tithe (1/10) of their crops in the barn, which would then be given to the church.
The home is one of 17 such facilities run by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution’s Care Company (RMBI). The company has been caring for older people for 180 years and currently supports over 1,000 residents in England and Wales. The company’s aim is to provide residential care, nursing care and residential dementia support for Freemasons, their families and also for people from the wider community. 74% of the residents in The Tithebarn have a Masonic connection and it is able to provide care and support for up to 42 residents.
The Friends of Tithebarn have been a constant support to the home and have paid towards, and for, many of its outstanding facilities which were funded by Masons through their lodges and chapters charitable donations. Members have also walked many a sponsored mile, peddled on sponsored bike rides, held sports tournaments and undertaken many other worthwhile activities to the benefit of the home
As a result of the generosity of Freemasons, the care home has been able to purchase a fully fitted bespoke ambulance for £40,000, provided a fully furnished Bistro Lounge Bar with a bespoke filter coffee machine with a tea and drinks facility for £6,000. A fully equipped sensory room with black out curtains, mobile sensory mood lighting and music system for £7 000, constructed a front-of-house sensory garden pathway and Dementia Wing which were built for £20,000. The pond and water feature at the front of the care home were also installed at a cost of £8,000 and the impressive Jubilee Lounge extension was built at a cost of £50, 000.
The open day visitors feedback, showed that they were all very impressed with the welcome they received on arriving at The Tithebarn and with the support given by the knowledgeable staff and Masonic volunteers. They also spoke glowingly about the excellent facilities at The Tithebarn and its beautiful grounds. The visitors also generously donated £200 on the day, towards the Friends of Tithebarn charity.
