Churchill Living has welcomed its first Owners at Weavers Lodge in Haverhill, where a thriving community is starting to take shape.
The age exclusive development on Camps Road has seen the first wave of Owners move into their brand new one and two bedroom apartments.
Among them is Marjet Greenaway, who wanted to feel more secure and be closer to town to maintain her independence. “Before moving to Weavers Lodge I was in a big detached house where I’d been on my own for several years since my husband passed away,” says Marjet. “I wouldn’t say I was lonely as I’m quite an active and sociable person, but the house was getting a lot to look after and it was a little isolated way out in the countryside, a long way from the shops. I wanted to move to an apartment close to the town centre, so the location of Weavers Lodge was just right, and I also wanted to feel more secure.”
Marjet adds: “Churchill’s Home Exchange service was very helpful for me, as I wanted to get on with things and not have the hassle and uncertainty of selling my old house on the open market. Home Exchange helped the move happen very quickly. It’s all been a bit of a blur since I moved in, but I’ve settled in very well and am enjoying meeting all the other Owners and making new friends.”
Brenda Luccarini is another who enjoys the social side of life at the Lodge. “I feel I’ve got my own space in my apartment, but I’m not on my own,” she says. “There’s always a jigsaw on the go in the Owners’ Lounge and I can come and socialise with other people whenever I want to. I can’t believe how comfortable I feel and how quickly I’ve settled in.”
John and Susan Barnes agree. “We lived on the other side of town,” says John. “But our three bedroom house and the large garden were getting a bit too much for us to look after like we used to. Now we have a nice ground floor apartment which works great for us.
It’s good to know we’re safe and secure here, we don’t need to worry about people knocking on the door and bothering us, and the company is great! We see our neighbours all the time and it’s a lovely atmosphere here in the Owners’ Lounge. We’ve enjoyed film nights, quiz nights, and regular occasions to meet up and have fun.
Susan adds: “We got rid of our car because we really don’t need it any more. We’re right in the heart of town with all the shops on our doorstep, and it’s easy to get a bus or a taxi if we need one.”
Peter and Helen have a special connection with Weavers Lodge, as they won Churchill’s competition to name the development during the early stages of construction. Having come up with the Lodge’s name, they’re delighted to now be a part of the happy new community that is forming there.
We were very proud that our idea of Weavers Lodge was chosen as the winner of the naming competition,” says Pete. “We used the £100 prize money to buy a small TV, which we’ve brought with us to our new apartment.
He adds: “People often leave it too late to move, but we feel like we’ve done it at the right time, while we’re still young and active enough to enjoy it and make the most of our new lifestyle. We’re enjoying helping out with the social events and bringing the new community of apartment Owners together. Everyone is very friendly, we’re always stopping to chat to each other and it’s a very sociable place, so we’re very pleased to be a part of it.”
Pat and Bill Purkiss are the Lodge’s newest Owners having just moved in. “Our move has all gone very quickly and smoothly,” says Pat. “In fact it took less than five weeks from our first viewing to moving in. Churchill’s Sales Executive Alex has been brilliant, and the Home Exchange service meant that we could be in control of the move and make it happen nice and quickly.”
She adds: “We’re also making new friends and re-connecting with old ones. Our new neighbour Frieda used to be a teacher at the Cangle School here in Haverhill where she taught my daughter. It’s been a good few years since we last saw each other but it’s nice to meet a familiar face!”
Weavers Lodge is located near the heart of Haverhill, close to the shops, restaurants, and other leisure activities on offer in the town centre, and perfectly located for local transport links. The Lodge comprises 50 private, self-contained apartments with spacious rooms throughout, considerately designed with the over 60s in mind, and a warm, comfortable Owners’ Lounge
For more information on Weavers Lodge, call 01440 858 603 or visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk.