Bermuda.

Located on the main road to Somerset in Ely's Harbour, it was formerly the residence of Dr. Richard A. Packwood, who served the community as a family physician.

"Packwood Home is one of the oldest charities in Bermuda,'' said Mr. Randolph Scott, secretary of the Packwood Home management committee. "In 1923, Dr.

Packwood died and in his will, his home known as "Andover Arbour'' was left to become a home for senior citizens,'' he said.

A body of trustees was entrusted to execute the terms of the will. But as there were no funds available, the home lay vacant for nearly fifteen years.

But Mrs. Mary Packwood, the widow of Dr. Packwood, made an effort to see the dream of her husband become a reality, said Mrs. Helen Maynard, a member of the present management committee and the only surviving member of the original Packwood Committee.

"At first, Mrs. Packwood had no success. But she appealed to the Friendly Societies in Somerset and a council was formed,'' said Mrs. Maynard.

The original body from the Friendly Societies included representatives from five lodges, according to a former long-time member of the management committee, Mrs. Olive Smith.

"Members from Royal Sovereign, Benevolent Lodge, Household of Ruth, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows and Pride of Sandy's Good Samaritan came together and formed the Packwood Committee,'' said Mrs. Smith.

"They accepted the challenge to open the doors of `Andover Arbour' as a home for senior citizens and named it the Packwood Home.'' Mrs. Maynard, who represented the Good Samaritan lodge, added: "The Home was very run down so members of the committee together with volunteers worked to restore it. Renovations began in 1936 and the Home was officially opened in 1938.'' Although Dr. Packwood's will stated that he wanted his private house to become an elderly ladies home, the Committee decided it would house both men and women.

"When the home first opened, it held nine women and five men,'' Mrs. Maynard said.

And back then the Home was basically managed by volunteers, said Mrs. Smith.

"We had a permanent staff of three or four but they weren't job specifically trained. We depended mostly on volunteers to come in and help the staff cook, clean and care for the residents,'' she said.

By 1986, which marked the 50th Anniversary of the beginnings of the Packwood Home by the Friendly Societies, the management committee recognised the need for better facilities. The Home was closed down in 1991.

And it was totally redeveloped as a tribute to the generosity and foresight of Dr. Richard Packwood and a monument to the spirit of the Friendly Societies.

Packwood Home had its grand opening on June 5.

"It is so much bigger now and it looks so different,'' said Mrs. Maynard, who became a Packwood Home resident this month.

"They did a marvellous job on the renovations -- I can't even believe it's the old Packwood Home. It looks like a miracle.'' GRAND OPENING -- Nurse administrator, Mrs. Cecille Snaith-Simmons (left) and resident, Miss Emily Burgess embrace in front of the Packwood Home at its opening on June 5.