The initial concept of an English home for senior citizens in Parys, expanded over years to become a facility for both Afrikaans- and English-speaking senior citizens, known today as Sally Martin Park Methodist Home for the Aged.
Who was Sally Martin?
Sally Martin was born in the Heilbron district on 18 August 1894. She married Frederick (Fred) Martin in 1920. The couple farmed on the farm Redhill in the Viljoenskroon district. They never had children of their own but adopted a 12-year-old son. He died as a young married man without ever having children himself. In 1959, Fred retired and sold the farm. The couple then bought a house in Noorder Street and settled in Parys. Fred died in 1966, at the age of 78.
The Methodist Church mooted the idea of a home for the aged in Parys for English-speaking persons. Because Sally contributed so liberally towards the project, it was decided to honour her by naming the home after her. Sally spent the last years of her life in frail care at Sally Martin Park until her death on 23 December 1994. She died at the age of one hundred years.
She left most of her money and investments to the Methodist Church in Parys and an amount to the Police Orphans Fund. About Sally Martin Park At a leaders’ meeting of the local Methodist Church, Mr WJ Stevens first mentioned the idea of a “Village of Happiness” in a memorandum to the then-mayor of Parys.
It was for some sort of English-speaking senior citizens’ establishment in or near Parys. Although the date of the letter is unknown, the call for an inaugural meeting was way back in 1976. Mr Matt Eddy of Johannesburg had been instrumental in establishing the concept of Methodist homes for the aged and attended the meeting. In a letter dated 7 July 1977, the town council agreed in principle to a suitable piece of ground being made available to the home. It awaited the establishment of a company capable of accepting title to property and receiving donations.
Meanwhile, the ground the town council offered had been changed for another site that had already been proclaimed – where Sally Martin Park is today. In March 1982, the Department of Social Welfare had approved accommodation for 22 people in rented units – 14 single- and four double flats. However, the building was put on hold for another two and a half years because the funds were not available. In 1978, Sally donated R20,000 towards the home’s fund and, on 25 March 1982, the executive committee decided to name the home, Sally Martin Park. In September 1993, an application was made to the Department of Community Development for a loan of R421,344,00 with the Parys Municipality as the guarantor.
Given the delay in the availability of government-funded flats, the focus was largely on privately-funded units. The building eventually started in January 1987, and Sally donated another R5000 towards the building costs. The builder was Mr A.C. van der Schyff and Son, under the supervision of Mr R De Reuck, his son-in-law. The first sod was turned at a function where Sally was present. In July 1987, the first residents moved in.
For over a year, negotiations continued with Social Welfare to establish a service centre to care for the Aged. By mid-1988, a house, owned by Mrs Beth Auret from Vanderbijlpark, became available as a temporary service centre.
Isabel Chalmers came to Sally Martin Park and carried on the work of Meyer and Marge Norval and the early founders of the concept of an English home for senior citizens in 1991. By then, there were already 24 bedsitters, four one-bedroom flats, four pri- vately funded units, a laundry and a house that Mrs Auret leased to Sally Martin Park.
Bishop Mike Crockett opened the last phase of the clinic in July 1995. The board of directors asked the Parys Municipality for more ground and the request was granted. The final result can be seen in the facility we know today. (Sources: Vernon Whittal, a nephew of Sally Martin, and the Methodist Church’s centenary celebration booklet 1898–1998).
