Clacton: Veteran's plea to keep home open

The council could consider selling Beaumont Hall in Clacton if no-one comes forward to buy it by Friday.

But speaking exclusively to the Gazette, Mr Gladden, 78, said residents were concerned about their future and feared what would happen to them if the home shut.

Former Merchant Navy officer Mr Gladden suffers from multiple sclerosis and has been at the elderly people's home in Marine Parade West for 18 months.

He said the residents had been kept in the dark over what was going on and many were confused over their future.

"It came as a bit of a shock, this is my home and I'm quite happy here. I'm concerned, all of us are, we are all worried about it," he said.

His wife of 58 years and son live at their home in Wivenhoe. But his son also has MS and his wife is in poor health so he doubts whether he could go there. And private care would probably prove too costly, he added.

Mr Gladden added: "It's very nice here, I have a lovely room overlooking the sea, the staff are absolutely first class, they look after us very, very well and the food is excellent.

"We would be very sad to leave. I would like them to keep it open."

From 1940-1947 Mr Gladden, originally from Wivenhoe, served in the Merchant Navy helping supply oil or petrol to British troops.

He was awarded seven medals for his service, including the Burma Star.

After that he worked as a foreman engineer at shipyards at Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea and then as shift engineer at Essex University.

Beaumont Hall, a former Victorian seafront hotel, has 47 residents and 51 staff. Essex Social Services may consider shutting three elderly people's homes if no bids are received by Friday as they need major work on them to bring them up to current standards.

The home needs £943,000 to bring it up to registration standard, which has to be done by next March.

War veteran Jack Gladden

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