Granada cameraman Mike Blakeley takes a shot of the oldest Holly House resident, Mrs Minnie Ingham.

A television film unit from Granada visited a model housing complex for the aged - in Holmes Street, Burnley - on Thursday 29th May 1971. There, they filmed sequences for a television programme which will deal with the problems involved in accommodating the elderly. Mr John Campbell, Northern development manager for the Help the Aged Housing Association, which - working in liaison with the local authority - developed Holly House in Holmes Street, told the Burnley Express that the complex was now fully tenanted. It has 24 single and four double flats, giving sheltered housing to 32 local pensioners. Holly House was opened about three months ago by the association, which operates on a national scale and specialises in providing sheltered housing for the needy elderly, in co-operation with local authorities. The Burnley complex provides the elderly residents with self-contained accommodation. The residents have their own front door, keys and can bring their own furniture into the flats. There is a communal lounge, an over-night visitor's room, and the whole unit is centrally heated and boasts its own laundry.

The residents, four married couples and 24 ladies, have ages ranging from 60 to 93. They are cared for by resident warden Mrs Ivy Waddington and "Sandy", a Cairn terrier which has become the mascot and guardian of the residents. The social side of life is not forgotten. Every Tuesday evening there are bingo and competition sessions and various forms of entertainment are staged.