Famed artist whose work took her round the world dies at the age of 98

Nancy Bailey  R.I.P.

A popular Cornish artist who travelled the world and once had to dispel claims of her passing away has died aged 98.

Nancy Bailey was famed for capturing light, using a palette knife to produce dimensional oils on canvas.

Born in Par, she moved frequently before returning from Ireland in 1963 to live in Penhallow near Perranporth. Her artistic career began in her fifties while working in a Perranporth art shop run by her cousin, who suggested that she ‘have a go’ at painting. She told the West Briton in 2004 her early works “…were dreadful, but I persevered. The awful thing was that they sold.”

Close friend Courtney Johns recalled helping Nancy launch her career. Describing her as “a wonderful person”, “She was doing great painting but not doing anything with it. So we took her to Cumbria and had an exhibition. I took up scaffolding and all sorts to set it up. We sold eleven pictures the first night it was open.”

Success as an artist enabled her to travel the world and in 40 years she painted about 4,000 works. Her travels included a safari trip to South Africa led by the respected nature artist David Shepherd.

Many of her pieces fetched high prices in the USA, bought for people with a Cornish and Irish ancestry. Her knowledge of light and composition enabled her to create the striking paintings she was famed for.

In 2004 the West Briton reported how she had risen from the dead to present an exhibition in St. Agnes to celebrate her 90^th birthday. She contradicted reports of her passing on an Irish gallery’s website by ensuring she was characteristically full of fun and energy at the celebration, entitled ‘A Life Of Art’. At the time she told the West Briton “I was stunned to learn I was dead. I have had a wonderful life and hope to continue painting for a while yet”.

She passed away at Tregolls Manor on 28^th March 2012

Some of the activities we offer for our valued guests include Communion service, shopping trips, drives along the coast, creative art sessions, music for health sessions and drinks party after Cathedral visits.

Tregolls Manor Care Home Calendar of Events for May 2012

Tregolls Manor Care Home Calendar of Events for May 2012

I was invited to come in to work with some of the residents at Tregolls Manor to create Spring Time still life paintings. As I talked about the task in hand I heard nervous laughter and was told repeatedly that they couldn’t paint.

But together we were soon absorbed arranging some daffodils in a basket.

I had an intent audience when demonstrating basic drawing principles. Mrs Bailey an internationally recognised artist helped by giving some hints as well.

Mrs Roberts, Mrs Smith and Mrs Timmins found the courage to then have a go at drawing the daffodils on a blank sheet of paper.

There were plenty of thoughtful observations being undertaken by the group and discussion flowed. Mrs Kincaid and Mrs Bailey encouraged and supported their friends with this seemingly intimidating task.

With one to one tuition came the enthusiastic application of colour, which bought the drawings alive.

Whilst painting we also had the opportunity enjoy some poetry as Mrs Box read Wordsworth aloud. The group didn’t always need prompts to recite as the words came flooding back.

The paintings were very successful; I think you’ll agree an impressive achievement.

It just shows what those later in life can do when they are determined to try something new.

Ruth Purdy

Probus Choir entertaining in the Dining Room just before Christmas.

Probus Choir entertaining in the Dining Room just before Christmas.

The Truro Male Voice Choir raising Yuletide cheer along with mulled wine and mince pies

The Truro Male Voice Choir raising Yuletide cheer along with mulled wine and mince pies

Christmas dinner with a little extra surprise!

Christmas dinner with a little extra surprise!

A thank you to all the Staff at Tregolls Manor

Dear Robin,

Volker and I would like to thank you and your excellent staff for having looked after Elaine for nearly two years.

You really made her feel at home and thoroughly enjoyed staying at Tregolls Manor.

It was the perfect place for her. She loved her room No.17, admired Michael’s flower baskets and she was particularly keen on your outings with the limousine.

When she was no longer able to look after herself it was a great and grateful relief for us to know that she would live at Tregolls Manor.

Having been independent all her life it was not always easy to blend in with other people.

But you all helped her, and our greatest comfort was that she could end her days in a friendly and comfortable home and not the anonymity of a hospital.

Thank you all very much for all you have done.

All the best and may God bless you.

 Volker and Ingrid Schätzel

Clara Elaine Smith Remembrance Card

Tregolls Manor Care Home Calendar of Events for March 2012

Thurs. March 1^st – Drive to Tolverne via King Harry Ferry

Sun. March 4^th – Truro Cathedral. Drinks & Party at Tregolls

Mon. March 5^th – Drive to Cowlands, Coombe and Kea

Tues. March 6^th – Drive to Laurorran + st  Michael Penkival. “Communion service in Piano Room”

Thurs. March 8^th – Drive to GraurPound, Creed and Golden

Fri. March. 9^th – Ruth Purdy – Creative Arts Session

Sat March 10^th – Richard WIllson’s tour of the coast.

Sun. March 11^th -Truro Cathedral. Drinks & Party at Tregolls

Mon. March 12^th – Drice to Ladock Woods and Mitchell

Tues. March 13^th – Drive to Boscolla, New Mills and Roseworthy

Wed. March 14^th – Shopping in Truro with assistance “Music for Health”

Thurs. March 15^th – Drive to Chapel Porth

Sun. March 18^th – Truro Cathedral. Drinks & Party at Tregolls

Mon. March 19^th – Drive to Mylor Harbour and Flushing

Tues. March 20^th -Drive to Porthpean and Pewtewan

Wed. March 21^st – Shopping in Truro with assistance

Thurs. March 22^nd – Drive to Pendennis Point

Fri. March 23^rd  - Ruth Purdy creative arts session

Sat March 24^th  -Richard Wilson’s Tour of the Moors

Sun. March 25^th – Truro Cathedral. Drinks & Party at Tregolls

Mon March 26^th – Driver to Trewithen Gardens

Tues March 27^th – Drive to Portscatho and Gerrans

Thurs. March 29^th – Music for Health”

Dear Everyone,

I am writing to you all on behalf of all our family to thank you so much for the very kind and careful way in which you looked after our mother, Jenefer; both during her last year and especially over the last few months, when life became so difficult for her. It can’t have been easy for you at times so it was a real comfort to know that she was receiving the very best of care.

Furthermore, we all appreciated that she was living in a place that felt more like being at home than in a ‘home’, which is due to the atmosphere you create.

Thank you also for making us all feel so welcome whenever we were visiting.

Thank you all

With very best wishes

Caroline

Thank You Card from the family of Mrs Lidwell

Creativity Sessions at Tregolls Manor.

We thought that you would enjoy looking through a selection of photographs taken during some of the Arts sessions run by Ruth Purdy here at Tregolls Manor.

Even something as simple as their portrayal of a couple of daffodils, which has been so delicately and beautifully interpreted, is an inspiration to us all.

Even something as simple as their portrayal of a couple of daffodils, which has been so delicately and beautifully interpreted, is an inspiration to us all.

 

Here are a few more examples of the lovely artwork accomplished by some of our Residents at Tregolls under the guidance of Ruth.

My name is Bobby,

A four legged Inspection report of Tregolls Manor Care Home in Truro, Cornwall

I am a large black Labrador and take it upon myself to carry out the daily inspection of every part of the house, gardens and all my people who live here. And let’s not forget the all the staff of course!

I am a very busy boy as it is a big house, with lots of people to see each day. After my early rounds I will head down stairs to keep a beady eye on the kitchen entrance to see what the Chef’s are cooking up for the day, and just maybe there might be a little treat to be had later in the day.

Some of the staff are soppy and let in another four legged thing called a cat! I let him know who’s in charge here, but he just saunters around pretending to be Prince Charming! Equality or diversity, I just won’t allow it and out he goes through the Dining Room window. He then sits there on the roof of the limousine monitoring all of the comings and goings of the Home.

Nutrition for the Residents is high on my morning agenda; I make sure that they have their breakfasts. Sometimes ‘She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed’ comes by, but I make quite clear that this is none of her business! As is another area of safeguarding the rights of individuals, because I am fully in charge. I know just what they want to do and what they cannot do and what they cannot remember. So I help them even when they have dropped off to sleep using my nuzzle, as Sue, the Housekeeper, calls it. I make sure each person on my rounds is fully awake and that everything is in order.

There are certain perks to this morning round (but don’t tell Mother).There are certain Residents, who shall remain nameless, who have a little stash of treats for me, and if they can’t remember which drawer they are in – I help them as it’s only the polite thing to do! Sometimes they forget that I have already had a biscuit, so I get another, of course it would be rude not to!

I am a fair dog and respect their rights for the love of a wonderful dog like me or that pesky little cat; I know my inspections are on track!

Back down to the Hall to resume my duties in security along with meeting, greeting and checking all the incomers as I love to see new people and to make friends.

Lunch time arrives and I get a well earned rest with all the lovely staff. Oh and that little Chef’s treat I mentioned before, all served on a Doily – as I am quite a posh doggie you know!

Bobby relaxing after a hard day's work at Tregolls Manor Care Home in Truro, Cornwall

At the end of lunch, and listening to all the staff’s blah blah, I go and have a long sleep in the Dining Room with a tablecloth
over my head. Some people have said this is rather a good impression of Mother Teresa! I only emerge to accompany the
cake on the afternoon trolley and help my people in making their choices.

At the end of my working day it’s off home with ‘She Who I Don’t Obey’, back to the cottage on the farm. The chickens, ducks are all over the place, pigs and cattle at every fence. I bark and bark to get them all in order but they take no notice; I try harder, they must realise the risks they are running, but not a bit of it, they roost according to the daylight.

I’m tired now, supper gobbled up, so many people and things to keep in order, so much to do tomorrow, so much to look forward to doing, seeing to and snuffling out!

I go to sleep with paw over my nuzzle, and dream of catching one of those damn noisy chickens!

From Bobby – The Tregolls Dog

Bobby getting a well deserved Treat

For Enquiries or Visits,  please contact us at:

Tel: 01872 223330
Email: enquiries@tregollsmanor.co.uk

Drinks Price List at Tregolls Manor Care Home Truro Cornwall