The Churchill lifestyle has been a perfect fit across the generations for Sylvia Anson and her daughter Barbara, who was inspired to look for a Churchill apartment of her own after seeing how much her Mum enjoyed life at Fitzford Lodge in Tavistock. Now they are both making the most of all the benefits that come with the retirement living lifestyle.
Here is what Sylvia has to say about her move:
“After 67 years in a happy marriage I found living on my own a bit of a shock and decided I needed a change of lifestyle. I have always liked Tavistock and remembering a friend of my daughter’s lived in Fitzford Lodge, I went along to see what it was like and whether it was something to consider for myself.
“With the level walk into town, conveniently close to the park and river opposite, I decided to investigate further. I viewed an apartment and decided it was for me! I put my property on the market and moved in six months later.
“The security, the convenience of the apartment, the location and the new friends I’ve made have made me realise I made the right decision and I’m very happy with the choice I made.”
Soon afterwards, Barbara followed in her mum’s footsteps with a move to Churchill’s Priory Lodge development in Christchurch. Here is what she says about her own move:
“Out of the blue Mum phoned and said ‘I’ve just been to look at an apartment in Tavistock, would you come down and see what you think?’ So down the road to Tavistock I went, I loved the apartment and thought it was ideally suited for Mum now she was on her own. The location in the heart of town is great, with the park and the river opposite, and plenty of spaces nearby to eat, shop and visit.
“This and the fact that my late partner’s sister lived there too, so Mum would know someone there. It put the thought in my mind that a Churchill apartment would suit me in a few years’ time.
“It took six months for Mum to move in and in the meantime, living in a fairly remote area of north Dorset (with the nearest coffee shop 5 miles away) I started thinking about moving myself nearer to a town like Mum. My late partner lived in Christchurch and had passed away 5 years before, and I hadn’t been back there since. I went one summer afternoon and it was like coming home.
“Churchill were planning to build some new apartments in the town so I thought 2-3 years would suit me fine, but I’d got itchy feet so I started to look for somewhere and a Churchill apartment at Priory Lodge popped up. I went to see it and decided why wait? I sold my old place very quickly and moved in six months after Mum had made her move!
“I’m very active, I still work three days a week and am often away at weekends, so the security and not having to maintain a property – especially the garden – appealed. Not to mention I can now walk to town, have a coffee and walk back.
“Moving to Churchill also meant reacquainting with friends I had lost touch with as well as making new friends in Priory Lodge. I don’t join in with all the activities here, but if there is food and drink involved I’m usually there!
“I would recommend Priory Lodge to anyone who wants to be close to amenities, with the wonderful New Forest just up the road as well as the river and the coast. It has a bit of everything not too far away.”