A Remembrance Day Tribute: Corporal Pete Shepherd’s Legacy Lives On

On Remembrance Day, we pause to honour former Corporal Pete Shepherd, because for him, service didn’t end when the uniform was folded away. It became part of who he is.

Pete joined the Royal Corps of Transport in 1965 at age 20. Over 12 years, he served five tours in Northern Ireland, including high-risk bomb disposal work during The Troubles. His courage in the face of danger helped lay the foundations for modern bomb disposal techniques. Pete also served in Germany and Bahrain.

Decades later, Pete was diagnosed with PTSD, a reminder of the long-term impact of military service. His story highlights the importance of charities like the Felix Fund, which support the mental health of bomb disposal personnel.

Despite hardships, Pete fondly recalls light-hearted moments, from babysitting a rabbit to mischievous regimental pranks. For his service, he received the General Service Medal with Northern Ireland clasp.

In 1971, Pete met and married Sally just two months after meeting – a love story that has lasted 53 years. After leaving the Army, he worked for 30 years at a Spam board factory, showing the same dedication he brought to military life.

Now living with a Dementia, Pete has also faced cancer and major heart surgery. His daughter Claire describes the heartbreak of placing him in care, saying, “Watching his dementia progress feels like constant grief.”

Life at Heanton

Since moving into Heanton Nursing Home in April 2025, Pete has been supported with care that honours his identity. His room is filled with military memorabilia, and he’s still proudly referred to as “Sergeant Shepherd.” His salutes and discipline reflect the deep imprint of his service, offering a sense of continuity even as his memory fades.

Dementia and Complex Care, Shaped by Identity

Heanton Nursing Home, based in North Devon, specialises in supporting adults living on complex journeys, including Dementia, mental health conditions and other long-term needs requiring compassionate and consistent care. Focusing on truly understanding each person, their history, identity and what matters to them – enabling the right support without restraint or sedation.

At Heanton, we believe no one is "challenging" when their needs are met with compassion, understanding and their independence is encouraged. At Heanton Nursing Home, life continues with dignity, choice and purpose.

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To read the full story please visit Honouring Identity in Dementia: A Devon Veteran’s Story - HeantonNursing Home

North Devon Care Home Welcomes Families for a Summer BBQ

Heanton Nursing Home brought a feel-good summer event for its residents (fondly referred to as family members) and their relatives with a summer BBQ. The event, hosted in the home’s beautiful garden, was a great success, with many relatives taking time off work to be there.

The BBQ served up some seriously tasty, locally sourced meats thanks to Reeds Butchers in Braunton, fresh, flavourful, and a real hit! This wasn’t just a one-off either, locally sourced meats have been added to the main menu! It’s a recent change the home is very excited about! The kitchen team love working with such great quality ingredients, and it’s already making a difference at mealtimes. There was also a great selection of 0% alcohol drinks on offer, which went down really well with everyone there. Alongside plenty of lawn games for everyone to enjoy.

The home recognises the importance of meaningful time with loved ones, and providing opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors together is always met with warmth. It’s a simple but meaningful way to support people’s wellbeing and help maintain strong family connections.

The Home Manager Abigail Denford said “It was such a lovely afternoon. Seeing families enjoying time together, sharing food, and having a few laughs in the garden. It reminded me just how important the simple, everyday things are, like having a BBQ on a sunny day. If you were in your own home and the sun was shining, you’d probably do exactly that. So why shouldn’t we do it here, too? This is our home, our family."

The Heanton team put so much care and heart into bringing the event to life, it’s clear this place means more to them than just a job.

 

Heanton Nursing Home Celebrates New Garden Water Feature

Heanton Nursing Home are admiring the newest addition to their garden – a beautiful stone water feature. Generously fundraised and donated by Alan Fulford, husband to Dorothy, a resident at the North Devon care home.

Alan shared his motivation behind the donation, mentioning that ‘Dorothy loved to sit by the fountain at home.’ He and a friend attended numerous car boot sales selling gold to raise the funds needed to purchase the same fountain that he and Dorothy enjoyed together. Now, they can continue to enjoy the feature at Heanton Nursing Home. Danielle, a Kitchen Assistant, said how Dorothy ‘asked me to take her out to see it’ after a shopping trip, and after they settled in the garden listening to the calming stream, Dorothy said “oh it’s peaceful isn’t it.”

Heanton Nursing Home encourages a Continuation of Life to Family Members living at the home; and the stone water feature with multiple waterfalls can be enjoyed by all family and team members as it has been expertly positioned on the patio, to compliment the stunning grounds overlooking the estuary. Bree, an Admin at Heanton said how ‘our other family members are also enjoying it and sit out there longer than usual,’ and adds ‘we have also had comments from visiting professionals about how lovely it is.’

To thank Alan for his gift, the home has arranged for a plaque for the wall above the fountain, which will remind all of his kindness and generosity.

 

Heanton Nursing Home Media Release 

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To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home please visit https://www.heantonnursinghome.com/

Art Workshop at Heanton Nursing Home Inspires Creativity and Honors Remembrance Day

Residents at Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple, who are fondly referred to as family members, engaged in a heartwarming art workshop, organised by the team, as they commemorated Remembrance Day by creating vibrant poppy-shaped paper paintings as part of a mosaic. The workshop, brought joy, creativity, and a sense of shared remembrance to the family members. The poppy-shaped paper paintings served as a unique way of self-expression, allowing family members to explore their creativity while honoring the heartfelt occasion of Remembrance Day.

Art therapy is not about creating masterpieces but rather about the process and the emotional journey it takes our family members on. Through painting, drawing or even sculpting our family members can unlock hidden memories and express their thoughts and feelings.

A team member at Heanton said, "The art workshop was a beautiful and uplifting experience for everyone involved. It provided an opportunity for family members to express themselves artistically"

Heanton Nursing Home is a nursing home based in Barnstaple, North Devon. It’s approach to life recognises the values, beliefs and identity of each person. Each person that may need support is unique and by understanding one’s life history, one’s journey in life, by striving to be a true continuation of home, the team at Heanton Nursing Home create a place where everyone feels safe and never alone.

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To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home visit www.heantonnursinghome.com

HEANTON NURSING HOME IN BARNSTAPLE TAKE RESIDENT FOR A GAME OF BADMINTON

John Miles who is fondly referred to as Rex from Heanton Nursing Home, enjoyed a game of Badminton along with team members during a recent outing. The game began with Rex taking the first drop shot and he enjoyed some smashes with his opponent.

Noufal, one of the Team Members accompanying described the moment as being simply amazing “Rex didn't take his eyes off the game, and he even told me to be quiet as he was not able to focus! He was impressed by the quality of his fellow players.”

Being involved within the local community and encouraging the continuation of past interests is part of the ethos at the North Devon nursing home. Creating shared experiences that bring together companionship, laughter, and a deeper sense of connection for individuals living with a Dementia.

Occupational activities are not just pastimes they are pathways to joy, fulfilment, and bring a sense of purpose to family members, living at the nursing home to create a true sense of continuation of life. These activities encompass a wide range of interests, from arts and crafts to gardening, music, games, and so much more. They promote engagement, stimulate cognitive abilities, and foster social connections, creating an environment full of personalities and Individuality. 

To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home 

visit www.heantonnursinghome.com

Heanton Nursing Home, Heanton, Barnstaple EX31 4DJ - Tel: 01271 813744

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Heanton Nursing Home to celebrate Aviation Day with ex RAF Engineer, Albert (Bob) Hobson

The 19th August is Aviation Day which celebrates the development of powered flight. The 19th was chosen as it was Orville Wright's birthday, who famously went on to fly the first aeroplane with his brother in 1903, so although Aviation Day is an American observance, it is of interest to aviation fans from across the globe.

One of those global fans is 90-year-old, Albert (Bob) Hobson, who spent much of his life in the RAF. He now lives at Heanton Nursing Home, near Barnstaple and they are helping him to celebrate his interest in avionics. He has lived at the home since the summer of 2015 and it is remarkable to think that Albert was born just 26 years after the Wright brothers’ historical first flight.

Albert joined the RAF as an engineer in the 1940s. He met his wife, Doris, in Newcastle when she was over on holiday from Ireland and they fell in love. When Albert’s job took him out to the Far East, she flew out to join him in on an RAF base in Singapore where they were married in 1952.

She said that she had grown up in Ireland, so moving to Singapore was a huge change for her. She went on to say that Albert had wanted to be an engineer from an early age and was always great at fixing anything around their home. In Singapore they lived in quarters at RAF Changi and Albert loved his work. It was an exciting time to be an engineer as the RAF were changing from having propeller driven aircraft to newer, jet powered aircraft.

Doris said Singapore was a wonderful place to live and she has many happy memories from their time there. Albert worked for the RAF for his whole career and it took him to other parts of the Far East as well as Aden and Germany, before Doris and he eventually settled down in Devon.

Heanton Nursing Home was recently rated as “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission and Doris lives nearby. The Home cares for 52 “family members” who are each at the centre of every decision made. The care team make detailed notes about each family member’s life history as it is only by knowing their likes, dislikes and interests that they can truly offer the best person-centred care.

Sixty-seven years after getting married, Albert now lives with dementia, and Doris visits him in the home every week and says the Heanton care team are excellent and she really appreciates everything they do for him. (Jerry Short care writer)

Ex RAF Engineer, 90-year-old, Albert (Bob) Hobson will be celebrating Aviation Day with the help of  Heanton Nursing Home.
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ABOUT: Heanton Nursing Home is registered for all care categories and stands in the peaceful village of Heanton Punchardon in the heart of Devon. The home is set in grounds overlooking the estuary, with views of the surrounding countryside. The approach of the team at Heanton is person-centred and they uphold high standards in privacy, dignity, independence and choice.

Heanton Nursing Home has recently been rated Outstanding by CQC - September 2018.

The care categories that we specialise in are - Alzheimer's • Asperger Syndrome • Bipolar/Manic Depression • Cancer Care • Challenging Behaviour • Colitis & Crohn's Disease • Down Syndrome • Epilepsy • Hearing Impairment • Huntington's Disease • Multiple Sclerosis • Orthopaedic • Parkinson's Disease • Schizophrenia • Speech Impairment • Stroke • Visual Impairment.'

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Heanton Nursing Home, Heanton, Barnstaple EX31 4DJ - Tel: 01271 813744

 Website - Facebook