* Simon Baynes MP, Carol and Kenneth Mascarenhas next to the Abbey Dingle Care Home private ambulance.
* Simon Baynes MP and Kenneth Mascarenhas next to the Cuthbert’s Seeds poster.
Clwyd South MP Simon
Baynes recently visited the Abbey Dingle Care Home in Llangollen to gain an
insight into its activities - both recently and earlier on during
the Covid-19 pandemic – and to learn more about its history.
During the visit,
Mr Baynes met with Kenneth and Carol Mascarenhas, the directors of Abbey
Dingle, who have run the home since its creation 35 years ago.
Mr Baynes
discussed with them the safety initiatives taken by staff at the home to keep
residents well, both in body and mind.
Apart from the long experience of a
loyal workforce, this included the creation of a dedicated isolation
wing, a Covid-proofed visitor/reception centre and a purpose-designed
vehicle for the protected transport of residents and staff outside the home, and openly sharing the ideas with the authorities and the community.
At the onset of the
pandemic in February 2020 home-made PPE packs designed and made with the
assistance of the residents, the local school and others in the community, were
issued to all staff and residents visiting relatives for their protection
outside the home. Thanks to this the home has had no Covid casualties
throughout the pandemic.
Mr Baynes heard about the extensive programme of
activities that Abbey Dingle organised for its residents throughout the year
during lockdown maintaining their holistic well-being.
Mr Baynes also
learnt more about the history of the site – the former J&R Cuthberts
(Horticultural Seeds) Administration Centre (secretly relocated from London to
protect the valuable seed stocks from being destroyed) and how it played a
major role in originating the famous Dig for Victory campaign during World
War II.
The home currently
has an original Cuthbert’s Seeds poster on display, which has kindly been
loaned to the home by Robert (Bob) and Sandie Attenburrow (sadly recently
deceased), formerly of Dobson & Crowther Printers in Llangollen.
Kenneth and Carol
Mascarenhas also invited Mr Baynes to see Abbey Dingle’s own dedicated
ambulance/courtesy car, which is on standby and available, should it be needed,
at all times.
Kenneth Mascarenhas
said: “The arrival of
Simon Baynes MP was a very welcome surprise to the home, in view of his present
busy schedule in Westminster in these difficult and testing times.
"Whilst
access to the home was restricted due to ongoing Covid counter-measures, the
residents and staff were very appreciative of him making the time and effort in
visiting them and noting his concern for their well-being during lockdown.
“He came across as
a very approachable, level-headed and energetic individual, representing the
people of Clwyd South and North Wales in Westminister; having had the experience
of working at grass roots level in his family’s hospitality and tourism
business at the local Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, and later in the international banking
and finance industry in the City.
"He is noted for promoting Wales’ economic and
national interests at every possible opportunity at central Government level,
as clearly evidenced by his media appearances in Parliamentary debates etc.
“As a humanitarian,
historian, and supporter of the arts, his recent appointment as a Parliamentary
Private Secretary to the UK Ministerial team at the Department for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport is well earned and deserved.
"The work of the
Department covers many areas of UK Government policy which are extremely
important for the whole of Wales’s diverse historic, cultural and economic
heritage and the need for good national transport links, internet access and
online presence, and considered a prelude to a ministerial appointment in
the Government Cabinet.
“He was also very
keen to encourage the promotion and documentation of the history of the town’s
destination attractions of the Eisteddfod, Railway, Canal and Horticultural
heritage and indeed, his next visit was scheduled to the town’s railway and
Llangollen museums.
"As a memento and practical incentive to help promote
the town’s heritage, Simon arranged to have a dedicated copy of his book which
he co-authored with his father documenting the history of his local family-run
hotel at Lake Vyrnwy, for the home’s library, offering help and advice to
anybody prepared to rise to the challenge, which can only benefit the economy
and community in these uncertain economic times.”
Simon Baynes said: “I was greatly
impressed to hear about the many sensible and safe precautions taken by
Kenneth, Carol and the rest of the team at Abbey Dingle, which have had the
effect of preventing any Covid casualties at the care home.
"I understand that
most of them were based on the work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Jane Seacole
from the Crimean War in 1853. I enjoyed my visit very much, and was most
impressed by the regular activities organised for residents at the home.
“The building has a
fascinating history and I was very interested to hear about its contribution to
the British war effort and the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign during World War II.
The whole team of staff do an amazing job and I would like to praise them for
the work they do under extreme duress from challenging external events
impacting on the operation of the Home.
“It is also noted
that as a continuing family commitment to the Llangollen community, Carol and
Ken’s children, Richard and Bethan, have chosen to involve themselves, and
presently manage another small local care home, The Old Vicarage in Llangollen,
in family succession, previously established by Bronwen and David Morris 30
years ago.”
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