Horse racing tribute to care resident

Ashfield Nursing Home, formally known as Kirkby Manor before its takeover in October last year,invested in a horse stable garden ornament, along with a plaque and a horses trough, which will be placed underneath the stable door and filled with flowers.

The tribute is in memory of George Scotney, 86, who passed away in March.

George was a local man, born in Kirkby, and spent the majority of his working life in the local mines.

He was a resident of the home for over 4 years, which specialises in Dementia and mental health of the elderly, and was a popular figure amongst his family, friends and the nursing staff.

Tracey Wheeldon, clinical lead nurse at Ashfield Nursing Home, said: “George was a very funny man, with a lot of character. He was something of a ladies man too.

“With him suffering dementia, it’s hard to say what he was like beforehand, because I didn’t know him before he came to our home.

“He loved his horse racing, that’s fore sure. He always wanted to place bets on the racing each day, so we used to give him pretend money so his wallet was always full, and he’d pass the money on to us to put bets on, where we’d give him pretend betting slips.

We made sure he won his bets of course, and it always put a smile on his face when we handed over his winnings.”

The nursing home provides accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care, Dementia, Diagnostic and screening procedures, and more, for persons over the age of 65.