Adlington Life July Issue 2024 by AdlingtonRetirementLiving

ADLINGTON LIFE

Strawberries and sport - sounds like summer bliss

"SOCIALISE WHEN IT SUITS YOU. THE CHOICE IS YOURS."

Listen to Joan as she shares how she's enjoying the best of both worlds.

Scan the QR code with your smart device camera to find out more

News

Milestone moment

Welcome

With July in our midst we welcome the warmer weather with delight. This month, our focus is on enjoying the outdoors, especially as the sporting season begins. We have an exclusive interview with our very own Olympian, look at how reflecting back on achievements can be rewarding, and handpick some outdoor entertainment suggestions. Plus, we're hosting a lineup of events you're invited to join.

In our ongoing "fact or fiction" series, we explore the myths about retirement living in part two.

Whether you're a sports enthusiast, entertainment lover or want to know more about retirement living, we hope you find this edition enjoyable.

Dr Ed Gladman Chief Executive Officer

A significant point has been reached in the construction of our upcoming community in Knaresborough with the erection of the crane. For updates visit our website and register your interest.

Expansion plans

We recently welcomed Tom Bagnall to the Head Office team as Land Director. Focusing primarily on land opportunities in the Southwest, Tom will play an important role as the business continues to grow.

Final opportunity to purchase

We now have only a few brand-new apartments in our communities, at The Woodlands in Heaton Mersey and The Folds in Romiley. To find out more call our sales team on 0800 118 1694.

A cup of tea with Jean and John

Hear from our very own Olympic medallist.

Q&A with Rose

Part of the interior design team, Rose shares her latest projects.

Exploring retirement living myths

Part two – Fact or fiction, you decide.

July in the garden

Ready, steady, go – an exciting childhood activity to relive.

The power of memoirs Can looking back at the past spring us forward?

Explore our locations

Whether that's discovering a community near you or, somewhere further afield.

What's on

RSV P to book your place

Lytham 01524 917888 Menston 01943 660530

Kempston 01234 988200

Wylde Green 0121 817 8680

Coffee Mornings

10.30 - 11.45

The Sidings, Lytham Wednesday 17 th July | Wednesday 14 th August

The Newells, Kempston Friday 26 th July | Thursday 22 nd August

The Spindles, Menston Tuesday 2 nd July | Tuesday 6 th August

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green Thursday 18 th July | Thursday 15 th August

Ready, Set, Match

With Wimbledon season upon us, we're excited to host some themed events. We’d love you to join us. Call our team on the numbers above to book your place today.

The Newells, Kempston Friday 5th July, 14.00 - 16.30

The Spindles, Menston Saturday 6 th July, 15.00 - 17.00

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green Friday 12 th July, between 11.30 - 15.30

A cup of tea

with Jean and John

With the forthcoming Olympic games in Paris, we meet our very own Olympian. Jean and John were finding their five-bedroom house and big garden difficult to maintain. They wanted to spend less time and energy on gardening, cleaning and DIY and more time going out and doing things.

Tell us a bit about yourselves

Jean: We met at a cycling dance in 1959, three years after John had brought home a bronze medal for Team GB at the 1956 Olympics. I was an accomplished dancer and a member of TV’s famous Billy Martin team, I forgave John for his ‘two left feet’ and married in 1962.

Why did you decide to move?

John: We were living in a massive five-bedroom, two-bathroom house and it was just getting too much for Jean. I couldn’t do much and she was doing all the work. She didn’t realise but she would come in of a night and she was exhausted.

We’ve made friends and I can tell they’re going to be like a second family. We should have moved years ago.

Jean: I was never done. There was always something to do. It was a big garden and I was doing everything. I was out all afternoon and half the night. I used to come in for Escape to the Country, have a coffee and go out again.

We decided to have the exterior of the house painted, a couple years ago, it cost around £8,000 due to the size

of the house and the scaffolding required. Even the indoor cleaning was hard to maintain with eight-foot-high ceilings. The maintenance of the house and garden was becoming a full-time job and left us with no time or energy to do anything else, I didn’t want to be tied to the house. I wanted to go out and do things.

Where did you begin with your search?

John: We looked at a retirement community two years earlier but decided we weren’t ready to move but when we visited The Sailings, we made our decision straight away. A friend of mine lives in Maghull. We’d been to see an apartment that our friend was looking at and it was a nice place, but we wanted somewhere with more community, where we can go down to the lounge and talk to people.

Jean: Having lived in Ormskirk before we moved to Widnes we already had some friends in the local area. My two sisters also live nearby in Ainsdale but I thought the hardest part of moving after 46 years would be making new friends and building a new social life - I like people.

What are you enjoying since you moved?

Jean: We have a busy social life. I go swimming, I go to chi ball – it’s tai chi with a bit of pilates and a bit of yoga. I go out and join things so I’m helping myself. I go to the church every Sunday morning and I walk

into town. When the weather is good we’ll go out on our bikes.

John: Jean goes once a fortnight to Knit and Natter in the lounge and they never stop. They’re chatting and chatting away. We had a coffee morning the other day and all the neighbours came and she was chatting away to them all. We’ve also entertained some of our friends and family, our youngest daughter Rachael, lives in Brighton now and visited with her son Luca, and her partner Martyn. They stayed in the guest suite.

I had three friends visit who all used to ride bikes with me. One was 88, one was 83, and one was 82 and we sat in the lounge, had a good talk, had some light bites in the restaurant, finished talking and they all went home. They’re all friends from way back.

What’s been your main highlights?

Helen, our middle daughter lives in the Wirral and she came last weekend with her husband, David.

Our son, Martin, lives in Perth in Australia, so he comes back to visit every three years.

John: It’s better for both of us here. I can go cycling. Jean can walk to the shops, use her bike and go for a ride if she wants to and there are plenty of people here who she can talk to. We’ve made friends already and I can tell they’re going to be like a second family. We should have moved years ago.

Hear more from our homeowners by visiting adlington.co.uk/HS

FACT OR FICTION YOU DECIDE

PART TWO

The Spindles' first birthday BBQ

Last month we started a new feature and explored some of the misconceptions around retirement living communities and to help offer a more balanced view. This month we continue the conversation with views on ‘forced fun’.

Perception: Some retirement communities have expectations for everyone to participate in social group activities – which may feel like forced fun.

The idea of group activities in retirement communities can sometimes be perceived as imposing or obligatory. At Adlington, we value individual preferences and believe in creating an environment where everyone can choose their level of engagement.

Scheduled activities at Adlington are designed to promote social interaction. Beyond traditional options like bingo, we offer an array of experiences such as theatre visits, themed evenings, guest speakers, arts and crafts sessions, exercise classes, garden parties, some communities even have regular French lessons.

While we do offer a variety of group activities designed to enrich social interaction and create a sense of community, participation is always optional. We strive to create a balanced environment where homeowners can enjoy their independence while also having opportunities to socialise if they wish.

Our aim is for homeowners to feel comfortable and at home,

whether they prefer quiet moments alone or lively interactions with friends and neighbours.

Don’t just take our word for it...

Homeowner Margaret:

"I think the best thing about moving to a retirement community is the stimulus of like-minded people. It’s the social life as much as anything. We have much more time available to do the things that we want to do because we no longer have to worry about the upkeep of a big house and garden."

Homeowner Edna: "You can socialise when you want to and you can also be on your own when you want to, which is great. I’m very happy. "

Homeowner’s Michael and Pat: "It’s nice that there are all these activities going on that you can get involved with if you want to. There are just lovely things going on all the time. We have quiz nights, film nights, take-away meal nights.

"I’m joining a weekly art class here on a Monday afternoon in the activity room. I used to paint a bit. There’s also a book club and we’re talking about going out to the theatre sometime. It’s just lovely.

"We knew we’d enjoy it, but we didn’t think it was going to be as good as this. It’s everything that I expected and more."

Ascot day

July in the Garden

Host your own Sports Day

As we move into the heart of summer, gardens are abloom, and the days are long and warm – the perfect setting for a family sports day. Many of us fondly remember our own school sports days, filled with excitement, friendly competition, and laughter. With grandkids or great-grandchildren gearing up for their sports days at school, why not join in the fun and create your own family sports day at home? It's a wonderful way to bond, stay active, and relive cherished memories. Here are some timeless activities to consider:

• Bean Bag Toss

• Relay Race

• Three-Legged Race

• Egg and Spoon Race

• Wheelbarrow Race

• Obstacle Course

Tip - Make sure to have some prizes on hand for the winners of each event. They don’t have to be extravagant – small trophies, medals, or even homemade certificates can add to the fun and competitive spirit.

KEEPING FIT AT AN ADLINGTON COMMUNITY

For many Adlington homeowners exercise and healthy living are part of their weekly routine with classes right on their doorstep. We have walking groups, gardening clubs and pétanque teams too.

01 Which famous poet wrote "A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature"?

02 Which ancient festival, celebrated during June, honoured the Greek goddess Hera and included activities to strengthen friendships and alliances?

03 What decade did the Northern Soul music and dance movement primarily emerge in the UK?

04 In which year was live television coverage of the Olympic Games available internationally for the first time?

05 What is the longest tennis match recorded in Wimbledon history?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 11

Every year, over 38.4 tonnes of strawberries (precisely 1.92 million strawberries) and 445kg of raspberries are harvested and enjoyed during the Wimbledon tournament. That's more than 140,000 punnets!

Winners in the Olympics were not originally awarded with gold medals, but winners were given a silver medal and an olive branch.

Typically, a Formula 1 racer loses about three litres of body water during a race. Therefore, to keep the drivers hydrated during races, F1 cars are equipped with 1.5 litres of water or more.

Outdoor Music, Theatre & Film Events

Experience the magic of live entertainment in the great outdoors with music, theatre, or film events. Bring some popcorn for an outdoor cinema night, enjoy music under the stars, or get swept away by a theatrical production set in stunning surroundings. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here's our top picks:

Summer concerts

Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire

Prepare for a summer filled with live music and family fun. Whether you’re into Monster Rock Anthems, Club Classics, or an Abba Reunion, Trentham Gardens is hosting five weekends of exciting summer evening entertainment.

Open-air cinema

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

Step back in time and visit the stunning Boughton House, tucked away in the picturesque countryside. Prepare to be entertained in this slice of paradise, where the grand house, expansive gardens, and formal courtyards offer a unique setting for an unforgettable movie experience.

Outdoor theatre

Speke Hall, Liverpool

THE PLEASURES OF PICK YOUR OWN

Strawberries and raspberries are ripe and waiting. Life is sweet when you pick your own – and sometimes savoury too with this delicious salad recipe.

• 250g fresh sliced strawberries

• 100g mixed salad leaves

• 50g feta cheese, crumbled

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• Salt and black pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine the sliced strawberries and mixed salad leaves. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad.

PICK YOUR OWN STRAWBERRY & BALSAMIC SALAD

The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sat. 3 rd August

Discover a green oasis on the outskirts of Liverpool, centered around a rare Tudor house. Experience a whimsical rendition of Shakespeare's classic comedy in this outdoor theatre spectacular.

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil to make the dressing. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve immediately as a refreshing and savoury side dish or starter.

Forget glastionbury, We're having Jacobsbury!

As we all make the most of our outdoor spaces during the warmer months, homeowners at Jacobs Gate in Sheffield are eagerly anticipating their annual 'Jacobsbury' festival at the beginning of July. This popular event has been a tradition since the community first opened. Homeowners and their families will gather for a splendid afternoon organised by the Adlington Team. The on-site chef will light the BBQ and serve an array of delicious plates. Fun fancy dress is encouraged, lively music will play, and refreshing Pimms will be served.

Past memories, future dreams

THE POWER OF NOSTALGIA

In a fast-paced world that constantly urges us to look forward, and chase the next big thing, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of occasionally glancing back. Nostalgia, the warm glow of happy memories, and the reflection on a life well-lived are more than just sentimental indulgences. For many, such reflection can bring a newfound sense of contentment, well-being, and even a renewed zest for life.

Nostalgia has long been considered a bittersweet emotion, often associated with longing for a past that can never be recaptured. However, recent research suggests that nostalgia can be deeply therapeutic. It’s more than a wistful yearning; it's a mental journey that can bring about emotional resilience and enhance psychological well-being.

When we reflect on our past, we often recall moments of joy, achievement, and connection. These positive memories can counterbalance the stresses and anxieties of the present, providing a sense of stability and continuity. For retirees, who might be grappling with the loss of routine or a sense of purpose, reminiscing about career accomplishments, family milestones, and personal triumphs can reaffirm self-worth and life's value.

Researchers at the University of Southampton found that nostalgic

Retirement is often viewed as the end of the productive years of life. However, for many, it can be the

Homeowner Janet

This picture is from 1939, Janet's 3 rd birthday, just before the start of WWII. Her present was a bright blue bike, she was most proud that she didn’t have any support wheels.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS

We often find joy in connecting with others who share similar interests and values. Whether it's through clubs, volunteer groups, or neighbour gatherings, these connections can provide a sense of camaraderie and support.

Homeowners at Adlington Retirement communities are involved in organising book clubs, gardening groups, or social events that creates opportunities for shared experiences. These activities not only enhance social bonds but also provide a platform for sharing and reliving happy memories, that boosts well-being.

Reflecting on the past and embracing nostalgia can be powerful especially in retirement. By cherishing happy memories and celebrating past achievements, we can find contentment, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Rather than viewing retirement as the end,

INTRODUCING THE BUDDY SCHEME

Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its challenges. Adjusting to a new environment often brings feelings of anxiety and worry. To help ease this transition, the Adlington Management team at The Spindles has introduced the Buddy Scheme. This initiative aims to make it easier for new homeowners to settle in and forge new friendships. Plus, studies show that having strong social connections can increase happiness by 50% and reduce the risk of depression by 30%. Making new friends can significantly boost well-being, provide emotional support, reduce stress, and enhance overall life satisfaction.

Connecting with new friends can also significantly ease the process of adapting to a new community. This program is open to homeowners at any stage of their journey, providing an opportunity to meet new people over a cup of tea and share the experience of being a homeowner in their community.

SEND IN YOUR OLD HOLIDAY PHOTOS

Email your photos to magazine@adlington.co.uk and we may see you included in next month's magazine. Please only send photos and comments if you are happy to be used in our marketing activity. Next month we are looking back at holidays of yesteryear and we would love to hear all about yours. Have you got holiday photographs you'd like to share and be featured in our next Adlington Life issue?

QUIZ ANSWERS

01 Ralph Waldo Emerson

02 Herean festival

03 1960s | 04 1956

05 11 hours and 5 minutes across 3 days

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.