On Thursday, 15th August, residents, staff and guests assembled at Wilson Keys Court, Rugeley, when the above two great milestones in the history of the residential home were celebrated. It is part of the Masonic Housing Association (MHA) and is open to anyone with or without Masonic connections. There are still two residents who have been at the home from the beginning: Ivy Meenan and Beryl Whiston. Ivy is 103 years old and always answers the quiz questions before most of the others! Beryl is much younger; both are a solid foundation for residents to build on.
Wilson Keys is the youngest of 5 houses in the association spread throughout the Country. The other houses are:
Prebendal Close in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Hamilton Court in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex.
Palmer Court Wellingborough. Northamptonshire.
Reading Court in Stratford, Warwickshire.
The MHA was set up in 1975 to provide sheltered housing for senior citizens and the local community. The aim was to provide specially designed flats to maintain the independence of active retired people who find the presence of a Scheme Manager, support staff and stable housing costs of reassurance and comfort.
In 1974, the then leader of Freemasons in Staffordshire, James E.V. Toney, inaugurated the Harry Wilson Keys Memorial Fund as a fitting Memorial to his predecessor, Major Harry Wilson Keys, MC.
Under the leadership of James Toney's successor, Stanley Barrington, a freehold site in Rugeley was acquired, and the home now stands there. A fund was set up, and the Trustees stated that they could contribute £250,000/ The Mark Master Masons gave £25,000, and the MHA, from their reserve fund, together with the then-named Grand Charity, gave £500,000. An application to the Housing Corporation eventually produced sufficient grants for MHA to proceed with the project.
There was a stone-laying ceremony on 25th September 1991, and the building was officially named Wilson Keys Court. To mark the effort made to bring the project about, the resident's lounge was called the Barrington Lounge, the guest room suite was the James Toney Suite, and the conservatory was the Mark Conservatory.
The building was completed at the end of 1992 and consisted of 11 double and 23 single flats plus a flat for the then Scheme Manager. Currently, due to changes in regulations, all of the flats are suitable for double occupation and are self-contained with their front door. There is a communal lounge and quiet areas on each floor. There is also the laundry and a special assisted bathroom.
One of the stipulations to benefit from the housing corporation is that flats must be allocated to the neediest on the waiting list. In fact, most of the residents are from the home's own waiting list or those on the Local Authority waiting list.
There are many organised activities for those who wish to take part; Monday afternoon is normally Knit and Natter. Tuesday is an indoor bowls afternoon, followed by dominoes. Wednesday is bingo afternoon. Thursday is a quiz afternoon. Friday morning is a coffee morning and in the afternoon sometimes a film show. Once a month there is a lunch. Christmas sees other events.
Amongst the many guests helping to celebrate the 30th Anniversary and The Best Affordable Housing Enterprise Award was the Head of Staffordshire Freemasons, John Lockley, the Head of Royal Arch Masons for Staffordshire, Mike Santopietro and the Deputy Head of the Mark Master Masons for Staffs and Shrops, Dennis Hill. The Rugeley Town Crier Adrian Basford was present in all his splendour. Everyone was welcomed by Alan Walker MBE, Chairman of Wilson Keys Court House Committee.
John Lockley, Head of Staffordshire Freemasons, said,
'I am so proud that Wilson Keys Court is in our Province and congratulations to everyone involved in achieving the Best Affordable Housing Enterprise Award for Staffordshire 2024 and also on the home's 30th anniversary.
