Gramophone music revived for elderly care home residents

THE GRAMOPHONE was brought back to life at a care home party – playing records rescued from a house demolition.

The antiquated music player, which pre-dates the First World War, still lives fond in the memories of residents at The Oaks Care Home, in Blyth, Northumberland.

So when gramophone party organiser It’s a Wind Up brought two of the old devices to the home, residents were thrilled to hear its crackling, tinny sound once more.

Justin Ball, the owner of It’s a Wind Up, also brought over 30 old 78rpm shellac records, which he found during a house demolition.

He said: “I used to be part of a crew that demolished old houses and recycled whatever we could find inside.

“We discovered the records and needed something to play them on, so I found an old gramophone and fell in love with the old-fashioned way of listening to music.

“That’s when I set up It’s a Wind Up and visit care homes, community centres, schools and other places to play music.

“People of all ages find the sounds of the music enchanting when played on old gramophones. After all, there’s no magic in music played on a ghetto blaster or mobile phone.”

Among the songs played at The Oaks Care Home were Run Rabbit Run, Lili Marlene, Glenn Miller’s big band classic In The Mood, and rock classics including Hound Dog and Rock Around the Clock.

A favourite with the residents, who enjoyed dancing along to the music, was Geordie folk song Blaydon Races as well as anthem There’ll Always Be An England.

Resident Ann Wallace said: “I love dancing. It reminded me of how we used to listen to music when I was little.”

Angela Hedley, activities coordinator at The Oaks Care Home, said: “Listening to a gramophone play a record was a revelation.

“It’s very different to it on a mobile phone.  Yet residents were so comfortable with it as they’ve lived through the times when 78s and gramophones were the norm.”