Tag: Mark Llewellin

Posted on by

Hospice volunteers enjoy ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience

Two of our dedicated volunteers experienced a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity at Westminster Abbey this Christmas.

Eileen Smith was nominated by Mark Llewellin DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, to be part of the congregation at this year’s ‘Royal Carols: Together at Christmas’ service.

Eileen was accompanied by fellow Flower Festival committee member Christine Lucas at the service – which shone a light on around 1,600 individuals across the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.

It’s the fourth successive year that the Princess of Wales has hosted the heart-warming seasonal event – one of the biggest appearances of the year so far for Kate after she confirmed in September she had completed her cancer treatment and would be easing back into royal duties.

Eileen – from Stalybridge – said it was “an absolute privilege” to be part of the occasion and she was “very humbled and very grateful” to have been invited.

“Mark rang me up and asked if he could nominate me to go to the Princess of Wales’ Carol Concert in London,” she explained. “He said I might not get a ticket but he chose to nominate me because of all the work I have done for the Hospice, including the Flower Festival.

“So I said yes, of course! I got an email about 10 days later from Mark’s office to tell me I’d actually got an invitation. Christine is also very active on the Flower Festival committee, so she was an obvious person to come with me.”

Eileen (right) and Christine outside Westminster Abbey

For Eileen and Christine, the experience of their day in the capital was truly magical.

“We went down on the train and we had to be at Westminster Abbey for 3.30pm so we booked a hotel near the Abbey, had some lunch and got ready,” said Eileen. “People were queuing up and you couldn’t get anywhere near the Abbey unless you had a golden ticket.

“There was a steel band there playing carols and they were giving out mince pies. When we went inside, it was just so beautiful and it’s a huge building. It was the first time I had been and it was just so wonderfully decorated, with lights everywhere and a stunning Christmas tree. You could write a message and put it on the tree.

“There were a lot of famous faces you see on TV there, so we were star spotting! We were in the knave near the door so we could actually see the Prince and Princess of Wales come in with their little ones. We recognised Zara Tindall and all of the Royal Family, who came in first.

“We all had a candle which they lit for us. Greg Porter started off by singing a carol and Prince William gave a speech. We sang carols and there was a lovely service. We waited for the Royal Family to disperse and then we went outside into the darkness, where all the lights were on and it was just so lovely.

“I’ll remember it for a long time. I’m framed my invitation and I’ve got a programme from the service. The Princess of Wales also wrote a letter to everyone who attended thanking us for coming and for everything we do.”

The service took place at the world-renowned Westminster Abbey

It’s an experience Eileen will relive when the service airs as part of a special hour-long programme on Christmas Eve (24th December) on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm.

She first started volunteering for Willow Wood on the Reception desk when the Hospice opened in 1999 and, after taking a gap when she opened a nursery, continued her support through fundraising.

“I was really interested in fundraising for the Hospice and when it opened was a time in my life when I needed to volunteer so I wanted to give something back to a charity. Since it’s opened, I’ve known lots of people who have needed the services here. It’s a lovely place and it feels like the right place for me to be.

“Dot [Birchfield] asked me first if I could help out and then John [Fellowes] approached me one day to see if I knew anyone who could take over the running of the annual Flower Festival. I used to do some arrangements for it so I took it on. We started it in 2015 and we have raised around £66,000 so far.”

Eileen also helps to keep the shop in the Hospice Reception stocked up and recently took part in Willow Wood does Strictly as a dancer.

She also decorates a Christmas tree on behalf of Willow Wood at the Albion Church in Ashton-under-Lyne every year.

“I enjoy supporting the Hospice and I’ve done a bit of everything which all helps in some way,” she added. “I’ve been to Ascot Ladies Day fundraisers and the Grand Balls down the years. When I had the nursery, we used to sponsor a table at the Ball.”

The cover of the service programme (left) and Eileen’s official invite
Posted on by

Mark is proud to be a part of Willow Wood’s legacy

Mark Llewellin DL first became connected with Willow Wood through his late partner, comedian and actor Roy Barraclough MBE – long before the Hospice was even built.

“We moved into our house on Willow Wood Close 31 years ago this year, so I’ve been involved with the Hospice for around 29 years,” Mark, who is now a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, told us.

“Kathy Staff, who played Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine, had been asked to go to Dukinfield Town Hall for a public meeting for people who thought there should be a Hospice. I think Kathy couldn’t make it so Roy was asked instead. Roy became the first-ever patron of the Hospice and Kathy became the second.

“The idea first was that the Hospice was going to be built in the grounds of Tameside Hospital. But there was so much interest and money raised that the size of hospice would no longer fit the site, so we could afford bigger than we hoped for.

“It just happened to be built in the road that me and Roy lived in. There was a competition to name the Hospice which was popular and Willow Wood was the chosen name.”

Mark has supported and raised awareness of the Hospice ever since, from holding talks and putting on shows to writing for magazines and organising fundraisers at Daisy Nook Garden Centre, where he is Joint Managing Director.

Mark Llewellin DL is the Vice Chair of our Board of Trustees

Willow Wood was also there for him when his partner Roy, who forged a memorable TV partnership with comedian Les Dawson before playing Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy in Coronation Street, died in 2017.

“It all happened very fast in truth, Roy died in the Hospice but he was only there for around eight hours,” said Mark.

“Although the care we received at the hospital was very good, being told your partner is going to die in the middle of a corridor surrounded by strangers is not very dignified so we went from that very noisy, machine-filled public environment to the quiet enclosed environment of the Hospice.

“I have a great love of the gardens at Willow Wood for a number of reasons but that night, being able to go out there was the biggest benefit.”

Being asked to take over Roy’s patronage as well as become a Trustee of the Hospice were proud moments for Mark, who has since stepped up to become the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Explaining what that role involves, Mark said: “I deputise when our Chair, Philip Millson, is unavailable to chair meetings. I also chair the fundraising sub-group and attend as many events as I can too. It’s very nice to have this role.”

Mark hosting one of our Strictly fundraising events

Mark is very proud of his long association with the Hospice and always enjoys talking to people in the local community about Willow Wood.

“I’ve worked with lots of different volunteers and supporters over the years and there’s barely a day goes by at the garden centre where someone doesn’t come in and wants to chat to me about the Hospice,” he said.

“The Hospice’s services are far-reaching and because it’s an emotional contact, people have that feeling for the Hospice which is different to any other type of organisation really.

“As part of my day-to-day job, I probably talk to 150 to 200 groups a year on a range of topics from my life to Coronation Street but I always mention the Hospice if I can. Often people will donate money because of that. For me, it’s great to go out in the community, talk to so many people and say that I support Willow Wood.”

Mark opening a Christmas Fair with Woody, the Hospice mascot

As Willow Wood celebrates 25 years of patient care, there are two particular elements that make the Hospice personally special for Mark.

“Physically it’s about the gardens which I love and I often go up there of an evening when nobody is there and sit there. But in terms of the organisation, it’s the people – whether it is the staff, the volunteers or people who use the services.

“They are what make the organisation and the places – not just the Hospice but the shops, the Distribution Centre and the PAD – what they are.

“The Hospice was built with love and runs with care. It will continue into the future because people love it and need it. It would be nice to live in a world where hospice care isn’t needed but we don’t so thankfully Willow Wood is here for our whole community.”

Mark showing the Civic Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside his Aladdin floral display at our Flower Festival in 2022

It’s a challenging time for the hospice sector but Mark is optimistic that, with continuous adaptation, Willow Wood can remain a beacon of support and compassion for years to come.

“I am looking forward to working with our new Chief Executive Officer, who I’m sure will take us into a new chapter,” he said.

“Ultimately we have to remember why we’re here, what our purpose is and how we’re supported, through our local community, so that may mean adapting services or looking for other sources of income.

“Trustees are volunteers too and we feel that responsibility, spending money wisely is really very important to us. We only survive at the behest of our community.”

Posted on by

Hospice Vice Chair appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester

We would like to congratulate Mark Llewellin, the Vice Chair of our Board of Trustees, who has been honoured by being appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.

Mark was recently appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, Diane Hawkins, who is effectively the King’s personal representative in Greater Manchester.

He has been recognised for making a valuable contribution to the community over many years.

Born and raised in the West Country, Mark first came to Tameside 30 years ago and was appointed the Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s Marketing and Business Development Director. He wrote the first of his two books – They Started Here – about the history of the venue.

Mark continues to be a keen supporter of Greater Manchester theatres, performing arts and heritage. He gives talks on a variety of topics, often in aid of local charities including Willow Wood, while he also looks after Canadian Coronation Street fans who visit Manchester every year.

His late partner, actor Roy Barraclough MBE, became the first patron of Willow Wood Hospice and Mark continued this involvement by serving as a fundraiser, a patron and a trustee.

He is also a director and trustee of Your MCR, which offers work experience and mentoring to media students whilst making a weekly online magazine programme and podcast focusing on Manchester’s arts and charity sectors.

Mark is a supporter of The British Music Hall Society and co-owner of Daisy Nook Garden Centre, on the Tameside-Oldham border.

Within each of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs, Deputy Lieutenants are “the eyes and ears” of the Lord Lieutenant and formally represent her at events if she is unavailable.

They also work closely with local authorities and are able to assist and advise voluntary groups with any challenges they may face.

Everyone at Willow Wood Hospice is proud of Mark’s achievement.