Jimmy opens picture perfect corridor

Jimmy Armfield opens the new Memory Corridor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. He is given a tour by practice development sister Sam Woodhouse.

The former Blackpool FC and England player took a stroll along the 72m-long corridor, which has been decorated with large scale images taken around Blackpool.

It’s aim is to help patients with dementia and memory impairment reflect on their memories of the town. Images include Stanley Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the Grand Theatre.

There is also a sports section of the wall which makes reference to Blackpool’s 1953 FA Cup win over Bolton.

Jimmy Armfield opens the new Memory Corridor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Ben Walmsley who helped paint the corridor with daughter Gracie-Mae Walmsley, aged 2.

As he cut the ribbon to officially open the corridor, Jimmy said: “Dementia is a very serious problem; it’s one of those things that can effect anyone of us at any time.

“Incredibly in two years it will be 50 years since we won the World Cup and out of the 22 of us involved at the time there are 14 of us left who can meet up. The rest have sadly died or have become victims to age.

“This innovation is the largest of its kind in the UK and I assume it will be a huge success. I put my faith in it being a success because as I was walking down the corridor a moment ago it sparked some memories in my mind, happy ones, and I am sure it will others too.

“Everyone behind this should be congratulated including the Blue Skies Hospitals Fund which has provided the funding. I know funding is hard to get so it is fantastic that this has been done.”

As well as the memory-inspiring images, visitors will be taken back to their Blackpool childhoods with sounds and even smells of the town.

As they walk along the corridor their movement will trigger the sound of roller coasters at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the sea lapping at the shore, and at certain sections the smell of flowers and sweets will be wafted along their path.