I paid a Christmas visit to a very special Centenarian – after receiving an unusual request from her daughter, Jan Farmery.
Jan wrote to me explaining what a keen interest in current affairs her mother Ruby Chapman took, and asked the me if I would make a personal visit to talk politics and current affairs with Mrs Chapman at the Glendale Lodge care home in Kingsdown.
On the Tuesday before Christmas, I made a surprise visit to Mrs Chapman with a Christmas gift where I enjoyed discussing with Ruby everything from the small boats crisis, P&O and the Seafarers wages bill, strikes, the war in Ukraine, overseas aid, trade and how the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was getting on.
It was such a pleasure to have a well-informed discussion around current affairs and politics. Ruby certainly does have a wonderful knowledge. She gave me some excellent policy ideas and I learnt a lot from her experience and insight gained over many years.
Ruby Chapman said: “Mrs Elphicke really listened to what I had to say, and answered my questions honestly.”
Jan Farmery said: “Mrs Elphicke really engaged with Mum and treated her with great respect.”