Local scooter enthusiasts came together to help Belong Macclesfield resident Tony Mannerings, who is living with dementia, roll back the years and reignite his lifelong passion for all things mod.
Originally from Dagenham, Tony is a lifelong scooter fan and veteran of the 60s mod scene in East London. When his family mentioned the idea of inviting other mods and scooter enthusiasts to the Belong care village on Kennedy Avenue, carers worked together to make it happen.
Mod, from the word ‘modernist’, is a subculture that began in late 1950s London and spread throughout the UK, with members frequenting jazz clubs, wearing suits and driving trademark Lambretta and Vespa scooters. The subculture endures today with a more casual approach to fashion, with Parkas and Harrington jackets and boots key wardrobe staples, with scooters remaining a key part of the aesthetic.
On the day, mods from Macclesfield Lambretta club jumped on their iconic scooters and made their way to the Kennedy Avenue village to meet Tony, give residents the chance to look at the scooters and complete several drive pasts.
Anna Seaton, experience coordinator at Belong Macclesfield, said: “Getting to know customers and going the extra mile to enhance their lives by celebrating who they are is a cornerstone of our approach, so when Tony’s family suggested this, we saw a brilliant opportunity. It was a beautiful afternoon – many residents, not just Tony, came out to watch the spectacle. Seeing Tony’s joy and excitement was heartwarming, and we are incredibly grateful to the Macclesfield Lambretta Club for this.”
Commenting on the day, Tony’s daughter Laura said: “Today was truly wonderful. Dad absolutely loved it. Seeing his face light up and his lovely smile and hearing him say ‘wow’ when the scooters arrived is a moment I’ll never forget. We’re so grateful to everyone at Belong who helped make it happen. It was clear how much joy it brought not only to Dad, but to the other residents as well.”
