Churchill Living has welcomed its first Owners at Beck Lodge in Park Gate, where a thriving community is starting to take shape. The age exclusive development on Botley Road has seen the first wave of Owners move into their brand new one and two bedroom apartments.
Among them is Maddy Dougal, who wanted a low maintenance apartment to give her more time for an active, independent lifestyle. “I’ve been on my own in a 3 bedroom bungalow since my husband died, and I just didn’t want the burden of all the maintenance,” she explains. “I’d been past the site and seen the Churchill hoardings when it was under construction, which got me thinking, and then later that same day I saw an advert in Saga magazine – it felt like fate!
“Bryony the Sales Executive was so helpful. I had a two bedroom apartment in mind at first, but when I walked into my one bedroom apartment I was surprised at how roomy and spacious it felt, and the walk-in wardrobe really sold it for me.”
Maddy also benefited from Churchill’s range of services to give her a helping hand with the move. “I had a specialist downsizing adviser called Jo who was absolutely fantastic,” she says. “She put together a plan for the removal men of exactly where everything would need to go and they followed it to the letter, it was spot on! I also used Churchill’s Home Exchange service which was great as it meant I didn’t have the hassle of selling my old bungalow on the open market.”
Maddy adds:
I’m always out and about and have lots of interests that keep me busy. I do keep fit classes twice a week at Fareham Leisure Centre, and enjoy Tai Chi and Zumba Gold, which is just right for keeping in shape. I’m also a member of the Townswomen’s Guild, and enjoy taking part in a gardening club and a craft club, as well as knitting for charity. I recently knitted a Christmas nativity scene which went on display at an exhibition in Porchester!
Joan Goozee is another who enjoys the social side of life at the Lodge. After relocating from Croydon to be closer to her son and his family who live nearby in Whiteley, she’s enjoyed getting to know the new neighbourhood and her new neighbours. “It was my son’s idea for me to come and look at the apartments here,” she explains. “I liked them straight away and now I’ve moved in I love it here. I’m settling in well and much prefer it to Croydon! My grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all nearby, and I have a beautiful view to look out on every day from my balcony.”
Margaret and Brian Hopper came from much closer by. “We live locally so we saw the Churchill boards going up and watched the development taking shape, and thought it would be a good idea for us to make the move,” says Margaret. “We were in a 3 bedroom bungalow and didn’t want the job of maintaining the garden, which was becoming a less enjoyable job than it used to be. The service we received from Bryony and the Churchill team was fantastic, and our Lodge Manager Sue is great too. We’re very happy to have made the move and we’re enjoying taking part in the social activities and getting to know our new neighbours.”
Peter and Jenny Lowater are another local couple who have embraced the opportunity to downsize and live a low maintenance lifestyle. “Our old 4 bedroom bungalow got a bit too big for us and was too much to maintain,” says Peter. “So we felt it was time to make the move while we’re still young enough to enjoy it and make the most of our nice new apartment. Having less maintenance to worry about gives us more time to spend doing the things we enjoy. Our particular hobby is learning about the world of fine art, and we also enjoy visiting new places and learning new things, which living here enables us to do more easily.”
Beck Lodge is located near the heart of Park Gate, 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 46 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 Beck Lodge, call 01489 858997 or visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk.