Eridge House 21st anniversary party

Residents were joined by children from St Mary's school in Wrestwood Road to enjoy a 1940's style shindig complete with music, games, bunting and food.

Key Stage Two children from St Mary's, aged between 8-11, arrived in fancy dress to enjoy their nostalgic day out and learn more about the past.

The menu for the event was planned by the youngsters themselves - they requested chicken nuggets, sausage rolls and cake in particular, and thoughtfully chose spam sandwiches to be served up to the residents.

The event was a celebration of 21 years at Eridge House for owner Heidi Haddow. She took over as a 22 year old and built the business up by herself.

In the early days the home was registered for 14 residents but now has 43 and boasts purpose-built facilities such as a wet room and state-of-the-art passenger lift.

Heidi said: "I always knew I wanted to work for myself. My father was a self-made man and I knew that I just didn't want to do a 9-5 job for the rest of my life. Sometimes it was really hard. For the first three years I lived in the loft here and I did everything. While my friends were out partying and clubbing I worked days and nights cooking, caring, cleaning - whatever I needed to do."

Heidi has a staff of 30, many of whom have worked at Eridge House for many years, and this she believes is a particular strength of the home.

"Because this is a bigger home we can offer more things, have more entertainment, and high ratios of staff. My manager, Linda Stevens, has worked with me for 15 years and I think one of the great success of the home is that the manager and my staff have been with me for years. I feel it is about team work. A lot of my staff have got children so if they need a day off because it is sports day then that is fine. I am a mother myself so I like to think I am sympathetic."

Heidi has two daughters - the eldest, Alexandra, is 15 and a pupil at St Mary's school which is how that relationship was initially established and resulted in regular visits from pupils who gain from contact with residents and learn first-hand how life was in the past.

Heidi's other daughter is Georgina who is 11 years old and attends Battle Abbey Prep school.

It's obviously down to Heidi's energy and dedication that she has been able to raise her family at the same time as building a successful business.

She said: "I think I am proud of the standard of care that the residents receive while they are with me.

"I always think of people coming in as being a member of my family, and how I would want them to be treated - from the care they receive to the physical surroundings they are in.

"And also, from the business point of view, the better facilities you have, the more competitive you are going to be, in a very competitive market which is Bexhill.

"I don't think I could have done it for as many years as I have without feeling a sense of pride when I come into work.

"I think we should always remember that although I have 43 people living under my roof the only common dominator is that they are older. They have all come from different walks of life with different experiences and such a wealth of knowledge and experience that at times it can be quite humbling."