People in Newton Mearns took the opportunity to learn a new skill or to brush up on their own abilities at a special ‘GrandMaker’ event held at McCarthy and Stone’s Greenwood Grove Retirement Living development on Stewarton Road in Newton Mearns.
As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the UK’s leading retirement housebuilder, McCarthy and Stone, has pledged its support for Royal Voluntary Service.
Inspired by the charity’s annual ‘GrandFest’ event, which puts the spotlight on the heritage skills older people have, McCarthy and Stone invited ‘GrandMaker’ Helen Cormack to lead a masterclass on how to bake a range of delicious shortbread at its Greenwood Grove development.
Lorraine Paterson, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy and Stone, said: “We were thrilled to welcome homeowners and local people to Greenwood Grove for our ‘GrandMaker event’; and the day proved to be a fitting celebration of accomplished older craftspeople and the skills they are able to pass on to younger generations.
“Following on from Helen’s success in the national search for ‘GrandMakers’ run by ourselves in partnership with Royal Voluntary Service, we’re absolutely thrilled to have had the opportunity to be the hosts of her first ‘GrandMaker’ event.”
Helen’s baking skills are self-taught and they are practised regularly in her kitchen at home. She bakes shortbread for events at her local tennis club, Stirling Lawn Tennis and Squash Club and the Logie Kirk Afternoon Club as well as friends and family with everyone enjoying the fruits of her labour. Helen’s two young grandchildren – aged just four and six years old are already proving to be quite helpful in the kitchen and they’re already helping her with stirring and getting hands-on with the shortbread mixture.
Commenting on her status as a GrandMaker, Helen Cormack said: “It was my pleasure to visit McCarthy and Stone’s Greenwood Grove development and to give people the opportunity to find out more about baking shortbread – one of my family’s favourite treats. I get so much pleasure
from practising my craft and it is wonderful to be in the position of passing this on to others.”
Greenwood Grove, is an attractive development of one and two bedroom Retirement Living apartments and the facilities include a stunning homeowners’ lounge ideal for catching-up with friends, landscaped gardens to enjoy the best of the Scottish weather and a convenient guest suite should homeowners have friends or relatives to stay.
The development also benefits from its very own House Manager, who ensures the smooth-running of the development, a security entrance system, plus 24-hour emergency call points for added peaceof-mind for both homeowners and their families.
To find out more about Greenwood Grove, please go to www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk or call 0800 201 4740.
Photo Credits: Chris Watt