Page 18 • The HERALD • 17th July 2025 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v FLAT ROOFING SPECIALISTS All Roof Repairs Tel: 023 8184 5632 Mobile: 07880 508415 Email: steve@braithwaiteroo ng.co.uk THE FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST The next Herald is out on 7th August 79-Year-Old Care Home Resident Publishes Long Awaited Poetry Book 79-year-old resident at Oak Lodge Bupa Care Home Rosemary Parrott has published her fourth book of poems and paintings this June. e book, entitled Ships Passing, was near completion in 2018, but due to ill health and the passing of her husband, Rosemary had to put her creative project on hold. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2023, so didn’t plan to nish the book. However, with the support of the palliative care team at Oak Lodge and her daughter-in-law to oversee the artwork, Rosemary has now nished her book and it was published by Magic Flute Publications on 4th June. To celebrate, the Oak Lodge team bought her owers and gathered in Rosemary’s room with a glass of nonalcoholic red wine to congratulate her. Rosemary said: “After so many ups and downs, I can’t really believe it has happened.” Rosemary’s love of poetry was fuelled by her A-Level English course at Guernsey Ladies’ College, when she was introduced to The Six Sonnets by Gerard Manley Hopkins. She says it was Hopkins’ innovative use of ‘sprung rhythm’ that has been a life-long in uence on her own writing style. She began composing poetry at the age of 49, when she attended a writers’ retreat in Hampshire and these four poems gradually grew to form her rst book, Sonata in the Key third book, Like an Ever Rolling Stream, was published in 2016 just before her 67th birthday. Rosemary created all the paintings for her books over 10 years ago a er a painting-themed cruise, each one taking her two or more days to complete. However, as her illness causes shaking in her hands, she switched to sketches with pencils in order to complete the illustrations. Corin, Home Manager at Oak Lodge Bupa Care Home, said: “A wonderful, talented and humble lady! All poems and drawings are by Rosemary and the drawings were based on photos she brought with her from past holidays on cruise ships. It was lovely to be able to see her writing and drawing as she worked on this offering, and a particularly poignant moment when she mentioned that it is probably going to be her last book due to her diagnosis, but as we said to her, never say never! Rosemary is a great example of following your passion and purpose, no matter the barriers and obstacles life puts in your way.” Rosemary’s new book can be purchased here: www. thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/ships-passing Oak Lodge Bupa Care Home is situated in Southampton and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care including those living with dementia and Parkinson’s. of Life, published in the year 2000. Lanterns in Wet Leaves followed in 2012, the same year in which she graduated at with an MA in her specialist eld of Congregational Music, together with a second edition of her book Sonata. Her Rosemary with her book
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