Taking a last hike at the age of 93
AWISH was granted when a 93- year- old sheltered housing resident said she wanted to see a special view ‘ one last time’.
Dorothea Crompton approached the staff team at Hewlett Court a few months ago, saying she would love to walk up the slopes of Holcombe Hill, home to the iconic Peel Tower.
She joined Julie Ward, Bev and Rachel on a strenuous hike up the hill, which stands some 1,100 ft above sea level.
However, she completed the nostalgic challenge with no problems.
Dorothea, who previously lived on Westgate Avenue, Holcombe Brook, and is an associate member of the Bury North branch of the Trefoil Guild, told the Free Press the experience was “great fun” and she surprised herself.
She said: “It didn’t bother me at all.
“I was never a hiker and I was expecting them to have to carry me up, but I’ve proved I can do it and I can go again. After I came to live in Holcombe Brook I thought it was one of the nicest places I’d ever seen. I just felt I wanted to go up there once more and it would be nice to get out in the countryside.”
A former member of Greenmount Church, Dorothea has been at Hewlett Court for around four years.
Director of operations Julie said the successful trip has inspired them to offer similar experiences to other residents.
She said: “It came about because I regularly walk up Holcombe Hill and Dorothea said she used to do it about ten years ago.
“We said ‘no problem’, we’ll get a little group together and walk with you. She said she would love to do it one last time - but I think she might do it again!
“What we are going to do for all the residents here is we are going to do a make a wish and we’ll make it come true. Dorothea is the first one.”
A congratulatory message on the Hewlett Court Facebook page read: “It gave her a blast from the past coming from Ramsbottom and gave her such a sense of achievement doing it at her age. Only goes to show that age is just a number and you can put your mind to anything if you want to.”