Centenarian's painting turned into Christmas card

A snowy landscape scene painted by a care home resident at Colten Care’s Lymington home has been selected as the Christmas card design for the groups Belmore Lodge.

The painting, completed by resident and Great-grandfather, Cyril Bibbs, now aged 102 years old, depicts a typical snow covered English landscape with a walker following the track in the picture.

Speaking about the his inspiration for the painting, Mr Bibbs said: “I was out walking in the Lake District near one of the lakes, or tarns as they call them there, and I took a photograph of the scene as I thought it was a lovely view.

“I kept the photo for years and created the pure watercolour from that. The original picture is with my family overseas but I had a print that was able to be used for making the Christmas card.”

Belmore Lodge where Mr Bibbs is a resident, as well as three other homes in the Colten Care group have been sending out the special Christmas cards with the watercolour design emblazoned on the front. Mr Bibbs began creating and selling watercolour paintings when he retired in 1967 and after producing more than 250 works, he finally stopped painting during his late 90s.

Belmore Lodge home manager, Janie Pearman, said: “We thought it was such an eye-catching painting and perfect as a seasonal illustration for a greeting card. We’ve all been saying how we wish we were as clever and creative as Cyril.”

The design has been reproduced 400 times and is being sent out by three other Colten Care homes in Dorset and Hampshire and Wiltshire including Braemar Lodge in Salisbury, Fernhill in Longham and Brook View in West Moors.

Colten Care own and manage 19 homes in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset, each dedicated to providing, nursing, dementia and residential care for older people.