HAYLIE House, Largs' first residential care home for the elderly, has marked its 61st year with another welcome addition, writes Drew Cochrane.

Just hours before the home's open day on Friday, June 17, the work on the new residents lounge was completed by the CR Smith firm who designed and built the extension over part of the patio area.

Among the trustees who helped to launch the new lounge was Mrs Phyllis Hamilton of Fairlie, who has been a member of the voluntary board for 40 years.

Phyllis said: "This pleases me immensely. It is somewhere for the residents to have quiet time, and be visited by family and friends. The furniture and furnishings have been coloured pink and lime for the benefit of dementia sufferers."

In another lounge, which was created out of a dining area, residents can listen to their own music, and there is a wish tree where they can put suggestions for the trustees and staff. There is a 'trip down memory lane' section with not only photographs but objects with which older people can identify such as a radiogram and air raid helmet.

Board director Miller Boyle, a former senior manager with the national McAlpine company, said that they had 20 en-suite single rooms and three double rooms for couples but were considering further improvements.

He pointed out that whatever income Haylie House made - in its long-term lease deal with North Ayrshire Council - was put back into the home.

At the open day Miller met Eileen Doris Bremner, daughter of former Largs Provost Dan Doris. She was visiting friends who stay in one of the double rooms which have a panoramic view of the Clyde. Eileen pointed out that when the home opened on April 20, 1955 she was one of the school choir who sang at the event.

Since it was made available through Largs Common Good Fund in the 50s there have been numerous extensions to accommodate more local people who required residential care.

However, there was a disastrous fire on July 15, 1991 when staff and residents had to be evacuated.It took three years to resurrect Haylie House with the re-opening in August, 1994. Last year the diamond anniversary was celebrated.

Plans have been approved for a new eight-bedroom block, and upgrading of the kitchen and laundry facilities.

However, a major development will, hopefully, be a new 14 bed Dementia wing to the south of the existing building.

The many visitors to the recent open day learned that part of the Haylie mission statement is for residents to have a choice over their day-to-day lives with dignity and respect.

MSP Kenneth Gibson was also present to hand out the certificates for the Haylie House Olympics week, celebrating the National Care Home Open week, in which residents took part in a range of fun sporting activities.