From top hat to toe - lucky ladies in a Cheshire care home have been given a chance to step back in time and perfectly recreate iconic black and white photographs from their past. Residents at Care UK’s Cranford Grange, in Mobberley, were given five-star treatment – and then looked in the mirror to find that they had been transformed into their younger selves from decades ago.
The incredible makeover came as three ladies from the home shared striking photos from their younger days, and the home got in touch with their families to learn more about these iconic looks. The ladies were treated to a morning of pampering – from hair styling to professional makeovers.
With customised props, no stone was left unturned in recreating their original looks, with the trio suited and booted to look the part. Local photographer, Katie Lucas, captured it all, transporting them back to a key time in their lives.
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Between school and university, 95-year-old resident, Margaret ‘Margot’ Lewis worked on a farm and got stuck into countryside life, as seen in the original photo with Margot driving a hay rake in 1944. Margot said: “I loved sitting outside on the tractor – I wasn’t expecting a real tractor to arrive. It was a very nice day.”
The year 1944 also saw 96-year-old Pamela ‘Paddy’ Keates join the Women’s Reserve Naval Service at the age of 18 as a driver, putting her behind the wheel of a range of vehicles, including lorries. This memorable photograph captures her in uniform, sporting a striking hat with the initials HMS embroidered on a band – that Paddy had kept for over 70 years. She commented: “They had to put bricks on the pedals of the lorries I used to drive so I could reach them. It’s brought back memories, and I enjoyed having my daughter with me for the photoshoot.”
From a newspaper clipping in 1953, 86-year-old Beryl Stanton can be seen showing off her uniform, welcoming guests as a greeter at the Embassy Rooms members-only club in Manchester when she was just 17 . Beryl added: “I was the most tipped greeter at the time – I’d get half a crown per person.
“The photoshoot has been exciting, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it – it was something different to do, plus I was surrounded by family and friends.”
Care UK’s ‘Picture Perfect’ campaign sought to bring stories to life, launching a search for iconic photos from residents’ pasts to create timeless treasured memories. This is where the team at Cranford Grange stepped in and helped to track down the background of these beautiful photographs, going above and beyond to tell the residents’ stories from their past.
Lisa Burrows, General Manager at Cranford Grange, commented: “We had such a wonderful time recreating Margot, Beryl and Paddy’s special photographs for the day and being able to create this unique experience for them – watching them sit back and relax as they travelled back in time to the 40s and 50s.
“Residents have a lifetime of memories captured in countless cherished photos from their past. Looking through old photographs can help older people to relax and encourage fond memories which can boost spirits. The team worked incredibly hard to make the glamorous transformations become a reality. Seeing Margot, Beryl and Paddy share nostalgic stories from years gone by throughout the day, as they posed effortlessly, was wonderful.
“Nobody could believe how spot on the recreated pictures looked. We were so pleased that the photo shoot was such a success – it was certainly a memorable day and one which we will remember for many years to come.”
Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Cranford Grange, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.
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