15 years since Mr. Charles Lathan has been on its management committee.

Mr. Lathan, now the chairman, said plans to renovate the Home were made more than a decade before the work started. But the plans changed a great deal over the years and were not finalised until 1992.

"Very seldom does a person have a vision of what they want and actually get it,'' said Mr. Lathan, "so looking at the Packwood Home today is a real joy for me.'' But he still has plans for the Home.

"I'm not finished yet,'' he said. "I want a therapeutic room which is being discussed for the future.'' The management committee is also trying to get a mini-bus for the senior citizens' home.

"It makes sense to get our own bus,'' said Mr. Lathan. "We'll have 30 residents eventually and they'll need to get around.'' The committee is now appealing to various clubs and organisations for financial assistance to secure a bus, he said.