An Owner at Churchill Living’s Sachs Lodge in Torquay has been sharing her skills in card-making with the local community. Beryl Williams has been making cards for two decades and upon her move to Sachs Lodge, wanted to share her skills with her new neighbours and visiting guests.
Beryl said: “When I retired 20 years ago, I wanted to take on a hobby that would occupy my time, and that was relaxing, yet enjoyable. I tried ceramics first, but all of the equipment takes up so much room, and there was a lot of heavy lifting, so I decided that wasn’t for me. I then tried card-making and paper-folding and straight away I seemed to have an affinity for it.
“It started first when my husband and I lived in Northampton, and I shared my passion with friends and neighbours; then when my husband retired and we moved to Plymouth, I did exactly the same thing After passing my exams in parchment craft I progressed to a tutor certificate in Pergamano. I am self-taught, and I like to use my skills to teach other people to make beautiful cards too.”
Beryl and her husband recently purchased a two-bedroom apartment at Sachs Lodge. Beryl adds:
We lived in our home in Plymouth for 20 years, but when we were looking to downsize we loved the idea of a new build apartment, with very little maintenance, and it hasn’t disappointed. It is very difficult downsizing, and you find you don’t have as much room to store things as you once had, but the better quality of life it gives us is fantastic.
"Living here also allows me to continue to share my passion for card-making. Some of the Owners here like to join me, and Jo our Lodge Manager has spread the word amongst her friends and family, and now members of the local community come in to make cards with me. I recently held a card-making class which everyone really seemed to enjoy, and I loved meeting new people and teaching them something new. We made lots of different cards, including Christmas cards and also Christmas decorations which I taught them by paper-folding.”
Beryl goes one step further with her card-making, by donating every card she makes to charities and local causes. She said:
I’ve never sold my cards for money and often donate them to charity for them to then sell on and make the money for themselves. I have donated cards to the Torquay League of Friends which is also our Lodge charity, and at the moment everything I make is going to Macmillan, which as a Lodge we support annually through the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning!
Sachs Lodge is a collection of 33 one and two bedroom privately owned retirement apartments and shared facilities, designed exclusively for the over 60s. The development enjoys views across the dramatic Lyme Bay and is also within a short walk of Ilsham Green a grassy expanse leading straight down to the sea and part of the South West Coast Foot Path.
Offering quality retirement accommodation and safe and independent living, the development is in a convenient location close to local shops and amenities. Apartments boast spacious rooms throughout and are an ideal combination of design and functionality. The fully fitted, stylish kitchens include a built in fridge and freezer, hob and an oven, which is located at an easy-reach height. All of the properties benefit from illuminated light switches for added convenience. Owners also enjoy ultimate peace of mind from a fitted camera entry system for the highest level of security and a 24 hour emergency call system.
With less to worry about, Owners will have more time to do the things they enjoy, including taking advantage of the host of other benefits on offer, including having family or friends to stay in the development’s well-appointed Guest Suite, enjoying a chat with neighbours at the coffee bar, or attending one of the many events in the spacious Owners’ Lounge. They can also enjoy relaxing in the mature landscaped gardens complete with a secluded suntrap patio.
Sachs Lodge sits above Anstey’s Cove overlooking the sea at Lyme Bay and is within walking distance of the South West Coastal Path. The development is well located for the desirable Wellswood Village, which has an excellent selection of local shops and amenities including a Post Office, a patisserie, a pharmacy, a wine bar and deli, beauticians and hairdressers.
To find out more about the apartments available at Sachs Lodge, visit the Show Complex open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, call 01803 701600 or click here.