To celebrate this year’s National Siblings Day, at New Copford Place, our Colchester-based residential care home, resident sisters Joy Haynard and Sylvia Edwards – have been reminiscing about their childhoods, their close sisterly bond and their lives together.
Sylvia moved into New Copford Place in April 2023, with Joy joining her in December 2024. Sylvia decided on New Copford Place after spending a few respite breaks at different care homes in and around Colchester. “New Copford Place was my favourite. The staff are so lovely and comforting and never made me feel like I was a hassle, so I knew it was the right place for me to go when I had to make the decision to move into a care home full-time,” said Sylvia. “I’d been to the care home for a respite break and had such a wonderful time with my sister and the care team, I also decided to make New Copford Place my permanent home and it’s such a wonderful bonus that my sister lives here too,” added Joy.
Joy and Sylvia grew up on Colchester and have clear memories of the war years. “Our childhood was difficult as we lost our Father when I was four-years-old,” continued Sylvia. “We lived near an Army Barracks and with the war raging, we often saw the soldiers getting off the train and coming home.”
“I don’t know if Sylvia remembers, but we had a big steel shelter in our house and Dad painted it a lovely turquoise colour to make it look better. I’d always be up on top of it tap dancing,” added Joy.
Both Joy and Sylvia attended Canterbury Road Primary School, which has now been renamed St. George’s Primary School. “I then went on to Colchester County High School for Girls, and Joy attended Hamilton Road Central High School,” continued Sylvia.
“I really loved the Domestic Science Lessons, mind you they aren’t called that anymore, but I really enjoyed cooking, learning to iron and wash clothes properly and sewing,” said Joy. “I loved Art, Maths and Latin,” continued Sylvia. “I wasn’t too fond of the other classes; I found them rather boring.”
At New Copford Place, the sisters still enjoy their favourite hobbies. “I’ve always loved anything ‘artsy’,” said Sylvia. “Needlework to crocheting, to painting and drawing – and of course reading. I still take part in the arts and crafts sessions, but I can’t do as much with my hands as I used, but you can always find me engrossed in a good book.”
After leaving school, the sisters both changed careers and took two totally different career paths. “I started off as a Nurse, however then it became too much for me so I went into fashion and really enjoyed that,” said Sylvia. “When I left school I worked in the Civil Service,” continued Joy. “I worked for the Tax Office and really didn’t enjoy it. Like Sylvia, I had a total career change and decided to go into something that I always wanted to do which was working with children,” added Joy.
“Lots of people told me they didn’t think I should do it. However, I did it anyway and I am so happy I did as I really enjoyed my job and worked there until I retired. I worked for the Ogilvie School which is now known as the Shorefields School and Windsor School. I worked with very sick, poorly and blind children at first and then I worked with the SEND children. I was known as Matron until my title was changed to Head of Childcare. I thoroughly loved my job, the children and my colleagues, it was such a rewarding role to have.”
On 14th August 1964, Sylvia married her Husband, Ken at St. Botolph’s Church in Colchester. “I met Ken, who was an Electrical Engineer, at a dance at The Geroge Hotel,” continued Sylvia. “I was 18 and I saw him looking over at me and we ended up dancing together all night.
“When it was time to go home he asked if he could take me home and I politely said that I’d take myself home as I had only just met him. Ken, who was a real gentleman, said ok but would I mind if I walk behind me as I am going in the same direction. I remember giggling and said yes. Ken followed behind me and, as it turned out, his house was near mine. The more we walked, the more we chatted, the more we giggled – it was lovely.
“It turned out that Ken only lived down the road from me. My Mother saw me outside with a boy and come rushing out and I thought I was in trouble. However, she asked Ken who he was and when he said his name was Ken Edwards and apologised for keeping me out late, my Mother said ‘Oh go along Ken, get home’. When I asked her why the sudden change in her tone, my Mother told me that she’d practically brought Ken up when he was younger and it turned out our paths had crossed more times than we thought and I feel it was fate that we got together,” said Sylvia. The happy couple became parents to two daughters, Sally and Amanda, and now Sylvia is a proud Grandmother to three Grandchildren, Francesca, Thomas and Julia – and a Great Grandmother to Romily and Poppy.
Talking about some of their memories of each other, Joy said: “One of my favourite memories of Sylvia was the day she was born. I remember being taken upstairs to my Mother’s room and having this tiny little baby put in my arms – that baby was Sylvia and I’ll never forget being so excited to have a baby sister.”
“Some of my favourite memories of Joy are from our holidays to the seaside. We’d got to Mersea, Clacton, Walton and Frinton and we’d always have such a wonderful, fun time,” added Sylvia.
Sisters Joy and Sylvia are very close and admire each other in so many ways. “I like how Joy gets on with people, she’s such a people person and so sociable – and remembers everyone’s names. She’ll always tell me about the other residents, who she’s been speaking to and what she’s been up to. I’m also so proud of her for following her heart and working in her dream job,” said Sylvia. “I just love Sylvia for being her,” added Joy. “She’s so patient and loves everyone and the world around her. Not only that, but she’s a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
“Sylvia and Joy are two wonderful, lovely ladies and we are so happy to have them living with us at New Copford Place,” said Chelsey Leather, the care home’s Activities Coordinator. “They are very chatty and great people to be around. They are very sociable and will always chat with you and ask you about your day and talk about the memories and stories they have which are great to listen too. Sylvia even gave me places to visit last year when I said I was going to Great Yarmouth for a holiday and spoke very fondly about her memories of taking her children on holiday there and I even went to the beach in Caister which she recommended, it was beautiful.”
“We were asked the other day, what’s the secret to our long and happy lives,” said Sylvia. “I’d have to say loving all people, having confidence and enjoying every minute with your family – and, of course, having a great sister like Joy.”
“I’d say having a lovely sister like Sylvia and to make sure you enjoy your job. I loved working with children and I’m so happy I just went for it and didn’t listen to those who said I shouldn’t do it. So my advice would be ‘Go for your goals’ just like me,” concluded Joy.
Find out more about New Copford Place care home by calling 01206 210 397 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.