Heritage award recognises preservation project at new Care UK home

Company news

Oct 23, 2013

The history of Hailsham is preserved within the walls of a new care home and the efforts that went into the build, which turned into a conservation project, were recognised when a heritage award was presented by the town council.

Anyone passing Care UK’s Bowes House in Battle Road might easily spot that an iconic building is at the heart of the state-of-the-art development designed to meet the needs of the older generation.

But unless they go inside – and visitors are always welcome – they wouldn’t see the extent of the work that has gone into celebrating the town’s history.

A brewery tower from the 1880s is recognised as the jewel in the crown and the name of the brewery will live on because an in-house coffee shop is now called Lynns.

During construction a time capsule dating from 1964 was discovered and its contents revealed that the former brewery had been renamed Bowes House by Apaseal, an automotive products factory which took over the building when the brewery closed down.

Within the reception area at Bowes House there is a display showing the contents of the time capsule and there are pictures from the town’s past displayed throughout the home.

Children from nearby schools named the four suites within the building as Weald, Meadow, Barley and Aylsham and Hailsham’s celebrities are remembered too. For example, an activities kitchen, decorated retro-style, pays tribute to Fanny Cradock while one of the lounges is furnished in rich colours inspired by Cardinal Wolsey.

The Hailsham Heritage Award was given by the Hailsham in Bloom committee, which has been running under the auspices of the town council but is soon to be independent as a charity.

During a presentation evening Hailsham in Bloom chairman Richard Grocock said the award was given to Bowes House because of the way the new building incorporated the old brewery.

Bowes House business administrator Nikki White, who was accompanied by customer relations manager Anne Morris, said it was an honour to accept the award.