Digby Court

Digby Court

Digby Court in Christopher's Lane

Digby Court, a 45-bed residential home for elderly people, was officially opened in Christopher’s Lane off North Road on Tuesday 18th May 1965 by Alderman Captain H M L Fane, chairman of Kesteven County Council. At that time the staff consisted of a matron, six day and two night workers, five in the kitchen and a gardener.

The complex cost £60,816 with an additional £6,600 for furnishings and was part of an overall scheme for three such homes in the county. The site was bought from Bourne Urban District Council in 1962 and construction work by Fosters of Grantham started a year later. The first residents, twenty from the Slea View home at Sleaford and others from the Bourne area, began moving in during March 1965.

The original design included 23 single rooms, seven double rooms and two rooms each with four beds, a sick room, a guest room and quarters for residential staff. The first matron was Mrs E M Herd, a state registered nurse who had been working in Buckinghamshire, and her husband was appointed attendant-gardener. The home was administered by a management committee of ten under the chairmanship of Alderman C H Feneley and Councillor Mrs C A Baker, vice-chairman.

At the opening ceremony held on the forecourt, Alderman Feneley told guests: "The care of the old and the care of children have been one of the county council's main considerations and there has been the keenest study to ensure that this is achieved in every aspect of our work. Digby Court has been occupied for only six weeks but we are pleased to find that residents are completely happy and already consider it a home from home."

The development is still fully operational and upgraded regularly but is now known as the Digby Court Residential Care Home and is administered by the Orders of St John Care Trust, a registered charity.

Photo courtesy Don Fisher

The local M P, Quentin Davies, visited Digby Court during a coffee morning on Thursday 13th April 1995 and is pictured here (at the back) with Councillor John Smith (left), Councillor Don Fisher (right) and the officer in charge, Mrs Margaret Hurst, and members of the staff with two residents at the front.

REVISED AUGUST 2010