92 year-old Ray spruced up his garden and organised a party to help combat loneliness and bring people together
Ray Farrow with his model boats and guests at his Garden Party(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
A heartbroken husband who lost his wife of 68 years has held a garden party to help combat loneliness and bring back some community spirit. Sadly Ray Farrow, 92, lost his wife Freda two years ago.
The couple had hosted garden parties regularly at their home in Grimsby since the 1970s, but grieving Ray had neglected the garden since her passing. However, he built up the courage and felt ready to combat his loneliness so started preparing the garden for ‘Ray Farrow’s Get Together’ – his aim being to meet new friends and bring back some community spirit.
Ray Farrow with his late Wife Freda Farrow(Image: GrimsbyLive)
Speaking about his late wife Ray said: “We were married 68 years but we knew each other our whole lives. Freda grew up on Guildford Street and I grew up a couple of streets away on Stanley Street.
“After we were married and moved here we held garden parties regularly over the years. We opened both ours and next door’s gardens and it was like a park.
“Freda loved gardening and flowers and I just let everything go and couldn’t be bothered. The garden was overgrown and I was ashamed of how bad it had got.
“When I looked at the house and garden it had been neglected since my wife died a couple of years ago. People don’t realise what loneliness is until you lose your wife.”
left, Ray Farrow with guests at his Garden Party(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
Ray’s hope was to meet new friends and neighbours – and he accomplished just that. He said: “It’s turned out far better then I thought, I feel blessed. I know a few here but there are many new faces here too, it’s all gone so well.
“Alison from Salvation Army is mainly responsible for making it go so well, my daughter and family have helped too and my neighbour came and put up a gazebo for me. The day has kicked me up the bum into keeping the garden nice.”
Ray is part of Grimsby and Cleethorpes Model Boat Club and had some of his model boats on display. Tea, coffee and cake was available, he also had a Brick-A-Brac stall and was seen throughout the day chatting with friends and meeting some new neighbours and friends.
“You can have neighbours and not even know them for years so I want to bring back some community spirit,” he said. Donations were put towards The Salvation Army Garden Project on Duncombe Street – he is still actively part of the Salvation Army and his late wife was also ex Army.
Ray Farrow with John, Pearl and Gladys during his Garden Party(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
Alison Gardner, Major at the Salvation Army on Duncombe Street was at the party and fondly remembers Freda. “Ray and Freda were always together, it is hard to imagine how he manages without her, the loneliness must be overwhelming.
“They were together all their lives, they had their wedding reception in The Army Hall and Ray still attends every week. He’s a valued member who’s willing to talk and welcome everyone. In all he faces I’m pleased he is able to continue as he has always done in supporting the community.
Ray Farrow with Alison Gardner from Salvation Army(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
“I’m really pleased people have turned out and that he’s been able to put the garden together. I’m glad people came and talked to one another and they’ve talked to people that they wouldn’t normally talk too so that’s really good.
“Ray’s done a lot for the Salvation Army so its been great to give back to him as well. We’ve tried to give him another memory, which is more than just his wife and how it used to be. We’ve given him a memory to think about how it can be now, which is a really good thing.”
All Donations are going to The Salvation Army Garden Project on Duncombe Street who can be contacted here.
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