Grapevine regularly features interesting interviews with our residents. The following are glowing interviews that have been featured in Grapevine during 2025. It is always fascinating to read about their lives and times, which is proof that we are never short of interesting conversations at Loxley Park.
Ours is a delightful community where people interact as dear friends, free from day-to-day worries and free to enjoy all kinds of pastimes.
Pharmacist Roger Glynn made medicines from scratch
Nowadays, medications come prepackaged, but when Roger Glynn started out as a pharmacist in Sheffield during the 1960s, he had to make them himself, as apothecaries had done in the olden days. Roger has had a two-bedroomed apartment at Loxley Park since early last year, and enjoys taking long walks around our grounds and fishing in the lake. “I’m very happy here,” he says, “the food is good, and the staff extremely kind.”
Physicists Gillian and Karl Gehring
Residents who want to discuss theoretical physics can chat with Professor Gillan Gehring and her husband, Karl. Both are physicists, who have lived at Loxley Park since January 2024. Gillian still holds the post of Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Sheffield. “Staff here are extremely helpful, and display great kindness,” she says. “Karl and I have a small garden outside our apartment, and in springtime the views are wonderful.”
Librarian Catherine Pinion told of chapters in her life
Catherine qualified as a librarian in 1966 and subsequently joined the recently opened music department at Sheffield City Library. It was work that suited her because she played the flute in several local orchestras. Catherine later supervised an oral history project featuring local people. “I like Loxley Park because it’s such a friendly place,” she says, “ The staff and residents are like one big, happy family. The food is excellent, and there’s plenty of parking for my car.”
Charmian Hunt taught maths and was a careers officer
“Loxley Park is in a beautiful setting,” says Charmian, who in 2022 joined us with her husband, Richard, who passed away in 2024. “After Richard’s death, I was very moved by the compassionate reaction of staff here, who spoke of him to me in the kindest terms. There are lots of lively activities at Loxley Park, and a restaurant that serves delicious food, so it was no wonder we decided to stay permanently after coming here for respite care.”
Tony Brown’s high-voltage career in power management
Keeping the lights on in Sheffield was Tony Brown’s responsibility for many years as the electrical engineer overseeing high-voltage distribution in the south and west of Yorkshire. His early career coincided with the electrification of rural areas around Sheffield, which relied on gas for lighting. People were delighted when connected to the Grid. “I love living at Loxley Park,” says Tony. “The staff are lovely, and there are always interesting residents to talk with.”
Architect, soldier and businessman Charles Stone
Charles was named Karl Siegfried Otto Klappholz when he was born in 1930s Czechoslovakia. His parents divorced when he was two, and his mother married an Englishman called Harry Stone. The family moved to England, eventually settling in Sheffield. Charles trained as an architect and served as an officer with the Territorial Army. He later ran a steel company in Attercliffe. “The staff and other residents at Loxley Park are very nice,” he says.
