It was in 1956 that Richard Carr-Gomm founded the Abbeyfield Society as an expression of Christian concern for the elderly. He wanted to relieve the loneliness he found among the older people living in the East End of London.
Richard got down to work as a volunteer home helper and fostered a community spirit which enabled neighbours and friends of all ages to work together and create happy and secure households for residents.
In 1961, Richard wrote to all the Mayor's in England asking them if they would start up an Abbeyfield House. The Mayor of Bury that year was Alderman Peter Manners and he decided he would make it his project for his year of office. In 1962 he wrote to many organisations and eventually called a public meeting in the Derby Hall Market Street Bury from which the following Executive Committee was elected.
Chairman: Councillor Peter Manners, Deputy Chairman Rev. Wingfield Digby Hon.Secretary: Jack M. Farraday (Accountant), Hon.Treasurer, Sydney Mills (Barclays Bank), Hon Architect: Jim Schofield Committee Members; Wilfred Ainscow Mrs. Edna Ogden, Miss Connie Turnbull, Mrs. Joan Manners, Maurice Birch joined in January 1963.
They soon purchased 167 Spring Street on the corner of Heywood Street for £1150.00 the money was borrowed from Bury Corporation at 7% interest along with a further £600 for refurbishment. It consisted of 1 small kitchen, I small lounge/ dining room 5 residents rooms 1 bathroom and 2 rooms in the attic (2nd floor) for the housekeeper.
In 1964 the Society purchased a house on Thrush Drive known as Chesham Bank for £36000.00, again with a loan from Bury Corporation. After refurbishment this provided accommodation for 10/11 residents, 1 kitchen, 1 dining room 1 lounge and 2 bathrooms.
In 1972 the Committee decided to erect a purpose-built house, and with the help of the local Rotary Club of Bury erected the property known as Abbeyfield House, become. This consisted of 7 residents rooms, 2 bathrooms,2 W.C.’s, kitchen, lounge/dining room, and Housekeeper's accommodation. The cost of the land was £2,000.00 and the cost of the building approximately £20,000.00.
In 1982 the Chairman, Peter Manners died, and after 20 years as Hon. Secretary, Jack Farraday took on the office of Chairman and Maurice Birch was appointed Deputy Chairman and Mavis Rothwell was appointed Hon Secretary.
In 1984 the Committee again decided to look for land for another purpose-built home to replace Chesham Bank, which now required a lot of money spending on it to bring it up to date. A plot of land 68/78 Tottington Road was found and the Society applied to the Housing Corporation for a grant to build on this land, and after 12 months of negotiations, they made a 95% grant towards the cost of the building. Late in 1984 a Mrs. Templeton bequeathed the sum of £185,000.00 to the Society which was invested for future expansion.
Early in 1985 Holy Cross College decided to sell their then Sixth Form College at 175/179 Manchester Road Bury and the Society bought the land and buildings for £30,000.
In 1992 the Government and Housing Corporation required better accommodation for sheltered housing and so the Committee again applied to the Housing Corporation for a grant to update the Tottington Road property making all rooms en-suite. The Housing Corporation approved a grant of £228.000 and work started to refurbish and extend the house to make 14 en-suite bedrooms at a cost of £130,000. This was completed in December, 2001.
In October 2001 the Committee applied to the Housing Corporation once again for a Grant to refurbish Manchester Road making this en-suite accommodation. Once again they were successful and work started in August 2002 to refurbish and extend giving 10 en-suite residents rooms and extra Housekeeper accommodation costing £540,000.
Again in 2002, Radcliffe Abbeyfield Society were having difficulties in attracting Volunteers for it's Committee and sought the help of the Bury Society. The merger was agreed with the Chairman and Secretary of the Radcliffe Society, joining the Bury Society.
By 2024 both the Radcliffe and Bury (Tottington Road) properties were now operating very successfully, with an enthusiastic and energetic group of Trustees presiding over a near permanent 100% occupancy in both properties and that year to ensure best value the Society relinquished its Abbeyfield membership and changed the society name to Farraday House in recognition of the work and donation off Jack Farraday.
