31/07/2008
Ivor Newton House, the last remaining UK residential home for retired musicians is under threat as the Musicians Benevolent Fund, who run the facility, are expected to announce its closure in the next few days.
John Smith, General Secretary of the Musicians' Union (MU) says: "The MU is very concerned at the potential closure of Ivor Newton House... if it does decide on closure there will no longer be a residential home dedicated to retired musicians.
"The MU will concentrate on doing its utmost to support the current residents of Ivor Newton House whatever the decision."
The 15 residents of the Bromley home, all now in their 80s and 90s are desperately wary of the looming decision which threatens to evict them if they refuse to go to another home and will also see the employees made redundant after giving years of dedicated service.
Worried resident and long-standing MU member, Len Davis, says: "I have lived in Ivor Newton House since 2004 and there is no way I want to move. Ivor Newton House is entirely fit for purpose as far as the residents and staff are concerned, and has always received acceptable reports from the authorities.
"I would be very angry if the MBF, as a charity, decided to forcibly evict people from their home at this stage of their lives."
Glenn Kelly, the UNISON branch secretary currently representing the staff agreed: "The proposals are an outrage, these residents sold their own homes on the promise that they would be able to play out their last tune at Ivor Newton House, now they and their families rightly feel duped".
Kelly went on to say that "the residents and the staff are united in demanding that the MBF drop their plans: "What sort of charity is it that was set up for the welfare of musicians, treats people like this, it appears that they know the price of everything and the value of nothing."
For more information check http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/