Hartismere Place Care Home resident Eileen given chance to get back down to the farm

A former farmer’s wife has returned to the place that she called home for many years, thanks to a special trip organised by her care home.

Eileen Hammond, 86, wanted to return to Red House Farm, in Yaxley, which has been in her family for many years and is now run by her sons, Richard and David.

The team at Hartismere Place, where Mrs Hammond lives, arranged the trip so she could reminisce about her time on the farm.

“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,” she said.

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

Born and raised in Ipswich, Mrs Hammond married Paul Hutton-Hammond on September 28, 1961.

After buying their first pig farm – Normans Farm, in Stowmarket – the pair moved to Red House Farm, which is where they raised their two sons.

Mrs Hammond also has four grandchildren – James, Rachel, Ben and Jack.