74-year-old Jeff Dent and his springer spaniel Milo are making new friends and enjoying a new lease of life in their apartment at St Andrew’s Lodge in Chippenham. Their advice for anyone else considering a move is to do it now and don’t leave it too late.
“Moving here is the best thing I’ve ever done,” says Jeff. “The new apartment is perfect for us. Everything is clean and tidy, the people are easy to get along with, our Lodge Manager Rachel is smashing, and the social life is very good.”
Jeff and Milo were one of the first to move to St Andrew’s Lodge when it launched earlier this year. “Before that I was on my own in a large three bedroom house with a twisty staircase,” Jeff says. “I thought to myself, I can make it up the stairs fine at the moment, but will I be able to in five years’ time? Milo and I often walked past St Andrew’s Lodge when it was being built, so when it opened I came to take a closer look and I was very impressed. I thought why not give it a go?”
He adds: “I was very pleased to hear that pets are allowed at the Lodge, as there’s no way I would have moved without Milo. He loves it here too, and we’re in the ideal location for walks in the park or along the high street. He’s 13 years old so we don’t go too far these days to save his legs – and mine! It’s great to be right in the heart of town close to everything we need.”
When it came to the practicalities of moving, Jeff was grateful to receive a helping hand from Churchill. “It was a very helpful service,” he says. “They supported me every step of the way and the move went very smoothly. I was in by lunchtime.”
“Now that we’ve settled in I enjoy meeting up with the other Owners, especially at our weekly ‘games night’ in the Owners’ Lounge. Getting to know new people is great, and Milo and I couldn’t be happier.”