Retired Suffolk pig farmer ploughs through memory lane

A local care home resident and retired farmer spent an afternoon revisiting her pig farm.

When retired farmer, Eileen Hammond, aged 86 and a resident at Care UK’s Hartismere Place on Castleton Way, told team members she wanted to return to Red House Farm, in Yaxley, which has been in her family for many years, the team quickly got to work to arrange a special trip. 

On the day, Eileen spent the afternoon sharing fond memories of farm life and reminiscing about her younger years with her sons who now run the farm. She enjoyed watching the piglets playing in the straw and seeing the farm cats, as well as revisiting her greenhouse – where she spent much of her time as a passionate gardener.

Eileen was born and raised in Ipswich, by her father who was a tailor and her mother who stayed at home to look after their family. On 28^th September 1961, Eileen married Paul Hutton-Hammond, and shortly after they bought their first pig farm together – Normans Farm, in Stowmarket. 

Eileen commented: “I always vowed not to be a farmer's wife of any sort, but I fell in love.”

Later in life the happy couple moved to a bigger farm, called Red House Farm, which is where they raised their two sons, Richard and David. When Paul sadly died, Eileen passed the farm onto her children, who both still work and live there, growing the family business. Eileen now has four wonderful grandchildren – James, Rachel, Ben and Jack. 

Eileen said: “I remember chasing the pigs when they got out and trying to get the dog to bring them back. I can also remember putting sickly pigs into a box on the aga to warm them up, before they went back to their mothers.

“I loved the freedom to walk for miles with the dog, growing things in my greenhouse and being among the farming community.

Commenting on the day, Eileen said: “I enjoyed the whole experience of being back on the farm with my family, and I’m looking forward to going back when the piglets are born so I can hold them.”

The visit was part of the home’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past career or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Claire Martin, Home Manager at Hartismere Place, said: “It was wonderful to see Eileen in her element, showing everyone around the farm and pigs she cared for and wowing the team with farming facts.

“At Hartismere Place, we regularly organise activities and events that promote positive wellbeing and bring back happy memories from resident’s careers and younger years. It has been so rewarding to see how much of a positive impact the ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative has in creating new memories for residents.

“The visit brought back many memories for Eileen, and she shared many lovely stories about her farming career. It was a fantastic day that we will all remember for a long time.”

Hartismere Place has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, residential dementia, as well as short term respite care. The team also operates a day centre, the Hartismere Place Day Club, open to the community throughout the week.