Adlington Life May Issue 2024

ADLINGTON LIFE

Drink-in the fresh air and enjoy May in full swing

How to swap maintenance hassle for garden joy

News

With spring now in full swing, May is often considered the most beautiful of months filled with bird song and blossom. A time when enjoying the outdoors and especially our gardens fills us with anticipation for the warm summer ahead.

This month we explore how being in the garden and amongst plants can help your well-being, and we hear from a homeowner about the benefits of no longer having to worry about maintaining her own garden.

I hope you can enjoy fresh air and nature a little more this month.

Give our helpful team a call to arrange an exclusive tour, 01782 958850. Welcome 04 10

Dr Ed Gladman Chief Executive Officer

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AdlingtonRetirementLiving

@AdlingtonLife

First look inside Brookfields House

The doors to our stunning show apartments at Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme are opening this month. Be among the first to experience the stylish interiors.

What's on

A cup of tea with Joan "It's a perfect situation. I can highly recommend it."

P to book your place Lytham 01524 917888

09 05

Chelsea Flower Show

Explore the enchanting world of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gardens this month.

Did you know

Find out the origins of the Mayday call and more.

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04 06 07 10 08

Quiz

How much about May do you know?

Q&A with Garry

The day-to-day operations of our thriving communities start with our friendly General Managers.

May in the garden

This month is the perfect time to cultivate a herb garden.

Adventure awaits…

Get outdoors and visit these three top locations in the UK.

Beautiful gardens

Our manicured and maintained gardens are designed with you in mind.

Explore our locations

Whether that's discovering a community near you, somewhere further afield or relocating to be close to loved ones.

Mersey 0161 241 5933

01943 660530 Kempston 01234 988200 Wylde Green 0121 817 8680

The Sidings, Lytham Friday 24 th May | Wednesday 19 th June

The Newells, Kempston

Wednesday 8 th May | Wednesday 12 th June

The Spindles, Menston

Tuesday 7 th May | Tuesday 4 th June

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green

Thursday 23 rd May | Thursday 20 th June

The Spindles turns one

You're invited to our celebration at The Spindles this May. Join us for an afternoon barbecue, enjoy live music, sip on fizz, or a cold beer, all with our compliments. We will finish off by drawing a raffle with some great prizes to be won. Limited availability, book your place today.

The Spindles, Menston

Wednesday 15 th May, 13:30 - 16:00

Meet

Join us for a historical afternoon in the delightful company of TV presenter and antiques expert David Harper.

The Newells, Kempston

Wednesday 1 st May, 14:30 - 16:30 Coffee Mornings 10.30 - 11.45

A cup of tea with Joan

Joan, and her husband Bill, moved to The Chimes so they could live life to the full without the worries of maintaining a six bedroom, family home.

Tell us a bit about yourselves

Bill and I grew up in The Fens of Lincolnshire, and got to know each other on the bus, going to school.

I went off to PE college and became a PE teacher. Bill went to Manchester University. When we came home we’d meet up for a coffee and it developed into more than just a friendship. He stayed in Manchester and I was back in Lincolnshire teaching but when we got married in 1961, I moved to join him.

Why did you decide to move to The Chimes?

We had a large house that needed repairs. We had a bout of thefts, burglaries… and that becomes a big worry when you’re elderly. We found that we were wondering if we should answer the door if the doorbell rang late in the evening, little niggling things like that.

We were aware that there were two people in this huge house and was that fair? When you’ve got young families who are house hunting?

We also have a rather unusual situation in that our three children all live abroad so we haven’t got the support that a normal family would have, which was an added reason for considering this move.

Our daughter lives in New York, our first son lives in France and our younger son lives in Melbourne, Australia.

The joy is, we go over there for five weeks rather than the odd day, so it’s really lovely. But we haven’t got their support here. The fact that we were going away a lot was another big consideration. The house was locked up and we always had that little worry that it would be broken into while we were away but in this sort of situation, we know that it is being looked after and if we want something doing, such as the flowers watering or if we’ve forgotten to switch something off, we can ring our lovely management team up and ask them to pop in.

What are you enjoying since you moved?

You walk out of your apartment, and you’ll find within seconds somebody to chat to and there’s nothing better than that is there? Just having a good old gossip.

Whereas, if you’re in a little house, you have to knock on somebody’s door or peer over the fence to see if they’re in the garden to get that opportunity. Here it just happens all the time.

We’ve made lots of friends here. It’s absolutely fantastic! We’ve got our friends back in Didsbury too and they love visiting us.

They’re very envious of us here - it’s a lovely, modern apartment and we don’t have any worries. Take gardening, for instance. We have an apartment with a lovely garden in front of it which the gardener comes and manages but I can put my little cyclamen blubs in. We go around dead-heading, but we haven’t got that major responsibility anymore. You know, you can back off if you don’t feel like it today, you haven’t got to do it and that’s lovely.

What have been your main highlights?

The best bits about living here are you’ve got people on hand. I love the coffee

lounge. The free coffee machine attracts people, and you’ve immediately got a group chatting together.

A book club was established before we got here so I joined that straight away. We have quizzes, bingo, theatre visits and restaurant visits. We went to the cinema when the operas were live streamed from Covent Garden and The Met. That sort of thing happens - ‘Oh, we’re going to the opera, do you want to come?’. That’s what life’s about isn’t it, enjoying yourself.

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

21 ST-25 TH MAY

Here, you can have your privacy. You have your own apartment. You can stay there whenever you want to and you can be on your own… but you also have the alternative, if you want it. You’ve got lots of people around, lots of activities, lots of fun. I think having that choice is such a big thing and you can have one choice one day and the other choice the next day. It’s a perfect situation. I can highly recommend it!

Explore the enchanting world of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gardens this May. Immerse yourself in the heart of London and enjoy breathtaking garden designs, exquisite floral exhibitions, and unique shopping experiences. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there's something to captivate every visitor.

Discover inspiration for compact living with the charming Balcony and Container Gardens, perfect for people seeking to transform their spaces into green havens. Lose yourself amidst the myriad of blooms and expert advice in the Floral Marquee, where passionate growers share their wisdom and stunning floral arrangements abound.

For more information visit rhs.org.uk/shows-events/ rhs-chelsea-flower-show

Did you know

The term 'Mayday' originates from the French phrase 'm'aider' which means 'help me'. It was first adopted as a distress signal for aviation in the early 1920s. The credit for its implementation goes to Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio officer at London's Croydon Airport.

May is celebrated in the town of Stilton with a cheese rolling contest; a tradition started by four publicans who were thinking of ways of generating income after the village was bypassed by the A1 in 1959. There's typically a host of team races, including an F1 cheese rolling race complete with obstacles and chicanes.

The two flowers of May are the hawthorn and the sweetly scented, but highly poisonous woodland flowering plant lily of the valley, which is also the birth flower of the month.

May is named after the Greek Goddess Maia , who was the goddess of fertility.

A maypole was built in 1543 that was 100 feet high. Isaac Newton later purchased the pole in 1713 and used it to prop up a telescope. Maypoles were banned in England in 1644. Those who were found to have erected them were fined five shillings every week it was standing.

May the 4th be with you. You don't need an excuse to re-watch Star Wars films this month .

01 In the nursery rhyme 'Nuts in May', on what sort of morning are the nuts gathered?

02 What's the birthstone of May - it represents love and success?

03 According to a 1732 traditional saying, what should you never cast until May's out?

04 Who did Queen guitarist Brian May marry in November 2000?

05 Where is the Eurovision song contest being held this May?

ANSWERS ON THE BACK PAGE

Where the Hornbeam Grows: A Journey in Search of a Garden by Beth Lynch

When Beth moved to Switzerland she sets about making herself at home in the way she knows best - by tending a garden and growing things. As she plants her paradise and forges green and deepening connections to her new soil, her old life continues to flourish in her heart.

Meet the team Garry Lewis

As General Manager of The Newells in Kempston, Bedfordshire, Garry manages a team of five duty managers and two housekeepers.

What are the main responsibilities of your role?

My job as the General Manager is to oversee and make sure that everything is as it should be and meets the Adlington Retirement Living standards.

A big part of my role and my team’s role is to do everything we can to support the comfort and well-being of our homeowners.

As more homeowners move in, we have a host of activities ready for them to enjoy. Exercise is important for all ages, but it’s especially important as you get older, so we organise chair exercise classes and yoga. We also have somebody ready to start arts and crafts sessions soon.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I like people and I enjoy making people happy in the work that I do. That gives me a real sense of fulfilment, when I know that I’m doing my job well.

Our first homeowners all moved in just before Christmas. They spent Christmas Day here and had dinner in the restaurant with some of their family who joined them.

I see our homeowners all the time and speak to them regularly. We’ll help with anything from setting up the TV connection in their new apartment to programming the timers on their radiators.

What attracted you to this role?

I wanted to have a change from fine dining but to find something that still involved personal interaction and making people happy. I enjoy talking to people and I’ve always enjoyed managing a team.

I’m still learning. It’s good to join right at the start of this new community so that I can grow into the role as our community develops.

I like the fact that I can pick up the phone to our head office or any of our communities and ask them a question and that there’s a real warmth and supportive feel to the business.

How do you overcome challenges in your field of work?

I think if there are ever any issues it’s important to resolve them as quickly as possible.

It’s about making sure that we’re always doing the best job we possibly can. You can’t go too far wrong if you stick to those principles.

What gives you the most satisfaction from all of this?

I’m looking forward to seeing The Newells blossom and to having a really thriving sense of community here.

The most important thing for me is that the homeowners are happy, the people I work with are happy, and the people that I’m working for are happy with me.

What's the most important thing that you've learned in your career so far?

How you interact with other people is important. That’s what I’ve taken from life. Be courteous and polite and be patient and understanding.

Beyond the role

Tell us something most people don’t know about you

I can speak and write Mandarin. I’m not fluent. I’m conversant.

What’s your favourite quote?

Treat others how you would want to be treated.

What’s your favourite place you’ve been to on holiday?

Krakow, Poland (in summer).

MAY IN THE Garden

This month is the perfect time to cultivate a herb garden, where fragrant lavander, savory rosemary, and delicate mint thrive. Aromotherapy has been used for centuries

as a holistic approach to health and wellness. Whilst not mecidinally proven, their benefits can still be enjoyed from the garden. Here are some ideas to get your started:

CREATE YOUR OWN FRAGRANCE AND HERB COLLECTION

Perfectly happy thriving in a pot, especially rampant mint!

parsley

Loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Rosemary

If you lack confidence, this friend is thought to bolster your ego.

Lavender

Renowned for encouraging relaxation.

Mint

Used since the ancient Egyptian times, mint is used to help improve the memory and aid mental fatigue.

Camomile

The go-to for soothing irritation and anger, and bring calm, most easily found in herbal teas.

Geranium

An uplifting scent used to help to clear the blues.

SAGE

It's high in antioxidants, and great with a Sunday roast.

BUild your own BUG HOTEL

Our homeowners have been contributing to their local ecosystems by constructing bug hotels. Crafting a bug house in your garden is a rewarding endeavour that enhances biodiversity and provides shelter for beneficial insects. Why not try it yourself? Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Gather materials such as untreated wood, bamboo, and terracotta pots. Construct a sturdy structure with compartments for different insect species, ensuring plenty of space for exploration.

2. Fill the bug house with natural elements like twigs, leaves, pine cones, and plant stems, creating shelter and nesting sites. Position the bug house in a partially sunny, sheltered area, raised slightly to prevent moisture buildup.

3. Monitor insect activity regularly to observe beneficial species such as ladybugs, lacewings, and solitary bees. These insects contribute to pollination and pest control, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.

Whatever the size of bug hotel, we're sure the insects will be grateful.

Adventure awaits…

Three top gardens to explore this season

Embark on a journey through some of the UK's finest gardens. Discover ecological marvels, timeless elegance, and architectural wonders with our top three suggestions.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

A global icon renowned for its extensive collection of plants from around the world, featuring iconic glasshouses and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Eden Project, Cornwall

A marvel of ecological engineering, showcasing breathtaking biomes that simulate diverse climates and ecosystems, providing immersive educational experiences for visitors.

RHS Bridgewater, Manchester

Set in an extensively restored historic location, this must-see includes a walled garden, Chinese stream garden, woodland, meadows and characterful listed buildings, plus much more to inspire and explore.

Beautiful gardens maintained for you to enjoy

When you buy an apartment in an Adlington Retirement Community, you’re rightsizing, not downsizing. There are so many uplifting aspects of retirement living that offer you more of the important things in life. You’ll have more time and energy to enjoy socialising with friends and family, free from the worries of maintaining your property. And you’ll have more space to enjoy as an extension of your own home, especially the landscaped gardens.

Thoughtful landscaping

Our beautifully manicured and maintained gardens are designed with you in mind, offering the perfect spot for a chat over coffee on the patio, a stroll in the gardens or a quiet moment of reflection. With seating areas, thoughtfully planned pathways and a summer house to enjoy, there are plenty of opportunities to relax in peaceful surroundings.

When Nigel moved to Jacobs Gate, his daughter, Maria, was particularly impressed: “The gardens are so lovely and the upkeep of them is gorgeous. The landscaping here is infinitely nicer than anything we’ve seen elsewhere. The variety of plants in the garden and the space outside looks very appealing. It’s a real sun trap too.”

Margaret, a homeowner at The Folds, said: “I’m a keen gardener and in my previous home, we used to take part in the annual open gardens. My daughter-in-law is a landscape designer and she was just overcome by the quality of the landscape design and the planting here.”

“The thing we liked most about our apartment was the space and the fact that it opens out onto the garden. We can walk straight out and sit in the sunshine or walk around the paths.”

Pat and Michael, homeowners

An expert team of gardeners

Green-fingered homeowners can enjoy as much or as little gardening as they wish.

Many of our communities have a gardening club, with dedicated raised beds and potting sheds. Some homeowners have planted flowers, and some are growing herbs, fruit and vegetables. The produce they’ve been sharing with each other includes strawberries, carrots, potatoes, beetroot, runner beans, swede, lettuces, rhubarb, cabbage and chard.

Marcia and John are members of the gardening club: “We enjoy gardening. We have a garden on either side of our patio that’s our own, and then the main Adlington gardens are beautiful. They’re well looked after. The gardeners come and tend to them, and we have a lawn, quite a large one, in front of us and they come regularly to cut the grass.”

A vibrant social life

Just like the coffee lounges and homeowners’ lounges, the gardens and outdoor seating areas often become social hubs in the summer months.

"One of our homeowners has planted some bulbs in the raised beds in our gardens. She’s quite green-fingered. We’ll be establishing a gardening club as the weather improves and more homeowners move in."

Garry, General Manager at The Newells

Margaret, who moved to The Woodlands with her husband John, said: “We really don’t like gardening, but we enjoy having a beautiful garden to sit in that’s been maintained by somebody else. This year we had a lovely hot summer and we regularly ate outside. It was like being on holiday. Out came the Sangria and it was lovely. We had a garden party too in the summer and that was really nice, with a jazz band and a BBQ and drinks.”

In fact, summer events have become popular fixtures in the social calendar for a number of our communities. With live entertainment, summer drinks and a BBQ in the gardens.

Bess, who moved to The Woodlands, said: “I definitely have more of an active social life now than I did before I moved here. It’s brilliant! I take part in keep fit twice a week. We have coffee mornings. We have card games. I’m in the book club. It’s lovely.”

Choosing the right retirement community is an important decision. Why not book a private tour or join us at one of our coffee mornings? Our dedicated sales teams are ready to answer any questions you may have.

1, 2 and 3-bedroom retirement living apartments available to buy from £120,000 to £895,000*