There has been an established ‘Mayor of Monmouth’ since the thirteenth century and as the term length is only a single year there have been many who have held the title of ‘Mayor in Monmouth’ since.
This Christmas, two generations of mayoralty were brought together, as current Mayor Richard Roden visited Gibraltar Nursing Home, which happens to be the home of one former mayoress!
Introducing Eirwen
Eirwen Warren, who is 89-years-young, served as ‘Mayoress of Monmouth’ from 1980 to 1981 with her husband, Alan Warren, who served as mayor.
The Warrens married in 1955 and ran a couple of shops in Monmouth, one selling papers and the other, a gift shop. Mr Warren also served as a councillor in local government from 1974 and was selected to become mayor in 1979/1980.
1980 was a particularly successful year to have been mayoress, as it was the year Monmouth celebrated winning first and second prizes in “Wales in Bloom,” a horticulture competition that awards only the most beautiful landscapes and gardening in the country.
That was almost forty years ago, and Eirwen, who lives with a dementia, is now a much-loved family member of Gibraltar Nursing Home, which she moved to in 2016.
Identity within the Home
Gibraltar Nursing Home recognises that each of their family members have fascinating life histories. To remember them, the home creates identity boards that are displayed outside each family member’s room.
The boards are a visual representation of the family members identity, that can include photographs, news clippings and information about their lives. They are one of the ways in which the Gibraltar Nursing Home family can connect and share experiences with each other, wherever they are in their dementia journey.
The board is also an opportunity for the team at Gibraltar Nursing Home to learn about the interests and previous occupations of those living at the home. The insights into the previous careers and interests of the family members enable the care team at Gibraltar to personalise their experience whilst living there.
Eirwen’s love of watching local wildlife and her previous job as a cookery teacher at Monmouth Comprehensive School is documented on her personal identity board and can give anyone who visits the home a small insight into Eirwen’s life and interests. Most importantly it also serves as an opportunity for Eirwen to connect with her former occupations and pastimes.
The Christmas Day visit of the current serving Mayor Richard Roden’s may well also present an opportunity for Eirwen to reminisce and recall upon her time spent as mayoress. All at the home are very grateful for Monmouth’s serving mayor giving his time to visit on Christmas Day!
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