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A SWANAGE care home run by three generations of the same family is celebrating its 30th anniversary in September.
Founder Laura Weekes (centre) with daughter Jan (left) and granddaughter Kellie outside Wordsworth House care Home
And Wordsworth House’s rich century-plus history includes a hand in its creation from Dorset’s most famous son, Thomas Hardy.
Laura, Jan and Kellie Weekes will host a barbecue for residents and their families at the care home in Belle Vue Road on Saturday, September 8, opening the doors of a building boasting a rich Dorset heritage.
Built in the late 19th century by Bishop Wordsworth to honour his late wife – a young Hardy was one of the architects on the project before launching his literary career – Wordsworth started as a convalescent home for TB sufferers, before becoming a care home and later a hotel for ‘genteel ladies’ before closing down.
Thirty years ago, Laura and Ken Weekes bought the home and backed by a handful of staff created a renowned Purbeck care home, now run by daughter Jan with support from her own daughters Kellie and Stephanie.
Alongside Marley House at Winfrith Newburgh, the two care homes employ around 100 staff and the family is proud of both its caring record and its commitment to training its staff.
Jan Weekes said: “We’ve all been dedicated to providing excellent care to our residents and we’re delighted to be able to make this a special day in our history.”
by admin