A 13 year old from Andover has helped Naomi House children’s hospice pay their unusual annual rent to its generous landlords.
Until her death in January of this year, Naomi House & Jacksplace paid an annual rent of twelve red roses to its landlady, Mary Cornelius-Reid, each Midsummer’s Day.
This year the responsibility for receiving the rent fell to Mary Cornelius-Reid’s youngest daughter, Naomi, after whom the hospice was named, and elder daughter Rosemary who normally resides in New Zealand.
At a small ceremony at Sutton Manor Nursing home, owned by the Cornelius-Reid family and situated close to the children’s hospice, Naomi accepted a beautiful bouquet of roses from 13 year old Connor. Connor, who stays at the hospice for respite care, was aided by the Naomi House nursing team as he presented Naomi with the hospice’s rent.
Chris Robinson, Chief Executive at the Naomi House and Jacksplace commented: “Mary Cornelius-Reid was a great lover of tradition and it is wonderful that we can keep this tradition alive. It is a special day for Naomi House and we look forward to welcoming the Cornelius-Reid family next Midsummer’s Day to receive our rent payment and see our newly refurbished building.”
When it was decided to build Naomi House nearly two decades ago, the charity struggled to find a suitable and affordable location on which to site the hospice.
Mary Cornelius-Reid generously offered the land next to her care home, Sutton Manor, in Sutton Scotney. The only conditions upon this long lease were that Naomi House be named after her youngest daughter Naomi, and the charity pay a rent of one dozen red roses each year, traditionally on Midsummer’s Day.
