Local astronomy enthusiast comes up with a name for new Sidford retirement development

A local Sidford resident is celebrating after winning a competition to name Churchill Living’s new development on South Lawn. And after he generously decided to donate his £100 prize to Sidmouth Hospiscare, the local charity is celebrating too.

Neil Gamble entered Churchill’s competition to name the new development and came up with the name “Lockyer Lodge” in honour of the distinguished scientist Norman Lockyer, a physicist and astronomer who lived in Sidmouth for many years in the early 1900s.

Explaining his reason for choosing the name, Neil said:

I was delighted to hear of Churchill’s decision to accept the name Lockyer Lodge. Sir Norman Lockyer lived here in his retirement and was responsible for the building of a telescope and support system here in the town, which is now called the Sir Norman Lockyer Observatory and is much used by serious scientists and also by enthusiasts. He also founded the very distinguished science journal, Nature, which he edited for some years. It’s fitting that his observatory is located on Salcombe Hill, within view of the new Lockyer Lodge apartments.

Presenting the cheque to Sidmouth Hospiscare’s Dr Gill Ryall alongside Neil, Churchill’s Regional Marketing Executive Jo Ridehalgh said:

At Churchill we like to involve the local community in choosing the names for our developments and we often do so by running a competition asking for suggestions. We received lots of great entries for our new Sidford development, and Lockyer Lodge was our favourite. We were delighted to award Neil’s £100 prize to Sidmouth Hospiscare, after he very generously chose to donate his winnings to this excellent local charity. Coincidentally, the charity will be opening its new day centre in the spring /summer of 2020, which is around the same time Lockyer Lodge will launch its show complex.

Lockyer Lodge will comprise 40 private, self-contained apartments specially designed for the over 60s with features such as a video-entry system, lift to all floors, a 24 hour care and support system and a Lodge Manager provided by Churchill’s own management company Millstream Management Services. Shared facilities will include an Owners’ Lounge, Guest Suite and landscaped gardens.

Like all Churchill Living developments, the location has been chosen for convenience and is just a short walk from local shops and amenities in Sidford.

For more information or to register your interest, please call 0800 458 1856 or click here.