Information
| All About Zetland Court |
HISTORY
In the late 1970’s the building and grounds were purchased by the R.M.B.I. The brethren of Dorset raised over £267,000 to assist in the refurbishing of the house and restoring the grounds to their former glory. Permission had been sought from, and granted, by the present earl of Zetland to name the building after his forebear, Thomas Earl of Zetland, who had been the M.W.Grand Master from 1844 to 1869. Although the first residents were admitted into Zetland Court in 1982, it was not officially opened until 21st April 1983 by the M.W. Grand Master, H.R.H. the Duke of Kent. At the opening ceremony, the P.G.M. for the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, R.W.Bro Thomas Bennett Langton, presented the M.W. Grand Master a cheque for £250,000 on behalf of the Province to fund the Richard Bond Nursing Wing, which was duly opened that day. In recent years brethren of the Province of Wiltshire have become extremely active in the Association of Friends of Zetland Court.
RAISON D’ETRE
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is now the 66th largest registered charity in the country. It employs over 1500 full and part-time staff and supports more than 4000 beneficiaries: 1150 residents in 18 homes and a further 3000 people living in the community.
The R.M.B.I. provides a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the needs of older freemasons and their dependents in its homes around the country. Zetland Court serves the Masonic Provinces of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and Wiltshire.
The Home is registered for 63 residents. It can accommodate 45 residents in the Residential home in 37 single bed-sitting rooms and 5 double bed-sitting rooms for married couples. A further 13 in the intensive nursing unit, and 5 in the elderly and mentally frail wing The home is a beautiful building with its own grounds in one of the most sought after locations in the area: accommodation and facilities are second to none.
The financial basis for admission is sufficient capital for at least two years self-funding, or funding by the Local Authority with topping up by the RMBI. Presently Local Authority funding is difficult but if a self-funding resident runs out of money it is usually possible to arrange a continuation with Local Authority and RMBI funding, providing certain criteria are satisfied.
There are three lounges and a Billiards Room. Facilities in the Home include, laundry, hairdressing salon, beauty treatment, chiropodist and a well-stocked library. All the rooms have a telephone installed. Residents are permitted to bring item of their own furniture with the Home manager’s permission. Again, with the approval of the Home Manager, pets are permitted to be kept. Visitors to the Home are welcome to bring their own pets provided they are kept under control. There is a very active social life. Activities include, bingo, whist, video club, painting class, sherry parties and mini-bus trips for shopping and visiting local attractions. Gentlemen residents frequently attend Masonic meetings by open invitation. The Home Manager, who can be contacted by telephone on 01202 769169, emphasises that the residents are not generally wealthy and no one should be put off from applying on financial grounds. An appointment can be arranged by telephone for a tour of facilities and confidential appraisal of the circumstances of the prospective resident.
ANNUAL FETE
The Annual Garden Fete is held in the extensive grounds on the first Saturday in June each year and has consistently raised large sums of money, often in excess of £10,000. It is well supported numerous local Lodges from all three Provinces successfully funding and manning their own stalls providing many imaginative features and side-shows. The Refreshment and Beer tents always prove particularly popular with the many visitors!!
The Residents hold a raffle and run a stall selling their own handicrafts. Cream teas are also served in the Home. The Provincial Grand Masters for the Masonic Provinces of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Wiltshire, take it in turns to formally open the Fete.
Association of Friends of Zetland Court - Reg. Charity No.296598.
THE ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS.
The Association was formed in November 1982. The stated aim of the Friends is to improve the residents’ quality of life through the provision of additional resources and by arranging social events; it is their link with the outside world, particularly in the visiting of lonely residents, running a shop for personal requisites, a library service, entertainment inside and outside the Home, as well as raising large sums of money to pay for items that make the residents’ lives more comfortable. Funds are raised by an annual fete in June, coffee mornings and the like, and the sale of Life Memberships.
Projects have involved the provision of high dependency mattresses, remote call units, a new car for ferrying residents, bath hoists, an owned telephone system so that every resident has their own extension and only has to pay for outgoing calls, and the opening up of ancient pathways around the garden, together with a programme of assistance to the gardener to further improve the Estate.
Volunteers are always required and can help in the shop, with the library, being a driver, helping in the garden, and talking to residents especially about events in the “outside” world — just two hours a month would be a great help.
For further information on the work of the “Friends” contact the Secretary: Brian Chidgey Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it PLEASE SUPPORT THE ASSOCIATION BY BECOMING A LIFE MEMBER FOR A ONCE ONLY PAYMENT OF £10. FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY ALSO TAKE OUT MEMBERSHIP.
For an application form to join the Association Of Friends of Zetland Court – click on |
Friends Application Form