October Adlington Life 2024 by AdlingtonRetirementLiving

ADLINGTON LIFE

The season of plenty - a time of abundance and gratitude

Share a cup of tea with homeowner Anne

Haunt your taste buds with fun recipes Embark on a journey of self-discovery

Welcome

October is often seen as a time for transition and reflection, with crisp autumn air, vibrant foliage, and shorter days. For many, it’s a time for harvest and abundance, as people gather the fruits of their labour before winter.

As the season fully shifts from summer to autumn, it can also be a time for embracing change. In this edition we speak to homeowner Anne, who did just that, not only for herself but also for her family.

We hear from Karen our in-house Senior Sales Progressor, who guides our buyers through every step of the moving process.

Plus, with Halloween at the end of the month, it’s a time for creativity and celebration, so we‘ve added a touch of spooky fun.

Stay safe this autumn and enjoy the read.

Dr Ed Gladman, Chief Executive Officer

Contents What's on

A cup of tea with Anne

A whole new chapter with added peace of mind.

Hello October

Festivities, traditions, did you know and some spooky fun!

Q&A with Karen

Coffee Mornings

10:30 - 11:45

The Sidings, Lytham

Wednesday 16 th October Wednesday 13 th November

The Newells, Kempston Tuesday 15 th October Wednesday 13 th November

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green Thursday 17 th October Thursday 14 th November

Brookfields House, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Wednesday 9 th October

Wednesday 13 th November

On-hand to assist customers every step of the way, meet our Senior Sales Progressor

We all need somebody How important is it to have a support network?

Explore retirement living myths

A round-up of key myth busters.

A fun and rewarding journey. 09 10 11 08

Keeping the past alive

Did you know the worlds largest pumpkin, according to the Guinness Book of Records, weighed in at a massive 2,749 lbs!

For more interesting facts turn to page 06

Coffee and cake in the afternoon

14:00 - 16:00

The Spindles, Menston Tuesday 5 th November

John Wallace

14:00 - 16:00

Pop Go the Sixties Broadleaf House, Wylde Green Thursday 31 st October

The Newells, Kempston Thursday 7 th November

David Harper

14:00 - 16:00

An afternoon of antiques, history and life on the TV.

Brookfields House, Newcastle-under-Lyme Wednesday 16 th October

A CUP OF TEA WITH

ANNE

When former headmistress Anne moved to The Sidings, she looked forward to new friendships and the support of a community.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born and brought up in Manchester and so was my husband, Joe.

We met when we were five years old at primary school. We were sweethearts as teenagers and got married when I was 23 and he was 24, and we were married for 62 years.

We settled in Middleton and lived there for 15 years. By this time, we’d got three little boys and needed a bit more space. We didn’t want to move away from the area, I was teaching in the local primary school, so we bought a house around the corner.

We had a fourth son 16 years after the other three. They were 20, 18 and 16 when he came along. They made such a fuss of him and cared so much for him. We were very blessed that our family was so close.

Having been a headteacher for 20 years, I took the opportunity to take early retirement. During my first year of retirement I reluctantly agreed to train to become an inspector for Ofsted.

My first inspection in September 1994 was here in Lytham St. Anne’s. At this time, I was travelling around the country and Joe was selfemployed, so it didn’t matter where we lived. We knew the Lytham area because we would holiday nearby at the weekends with the children. I used to say to Joe ‘when we retire, I’d like to come and live on the coast’.

The move to Lytham was ‘meant to be’, it all happened so quick. We moved to a bungalow in between Lytham and St Anne’s and lived there until I moved here, to The Sidings.

Why did you decide to move to The Sidings?

I lost my eldest son and my husband within 18 months of each other, which was hard. After that I was left in a fourbedroom bungalow on my own with a big garden. It felt empty. Particularly as it had always been the house where everybody gathered.

I had lots of friends around me, but I felt very lonely, as I'd had somebody with me all my life and then suddenly, there’s nobody to talk to.

Although my sons had come home to support me, none of them live nearby. Richard in Chester, my second son, Damian, lives in Australia and my third son, Martin, in America.

With the boys being so far away, the last thing I wanted was for them to worry about me. I wanted to give them peace of mind and that I’m going to be all right.

And then a booklet came through the door about Adlington, I thought maybe it would be good for me to move.

I sent the details over to my sons and they came back saying ‘Mum, that’s fantastic’. The idea of retirement living sounded perfect for me. I liked the idea of there being somebody on hand 24/7.

Another thing that I liked was being independent, I’d have my own front door, I would still be close to where all my activities are. I play bridge, and sing in the local community choir and my friends live nearby. It sounded like the best of both worlds.

Plus, I wouldn’t have the weight of responsibility for a property on my shoulders. I wouldn’t need to worry about the Leylandii hedges that need to be cut down twice a year or about maintenance.

What are your enjoying most since moving?

When I moved in, almost immediately I thought ‘I’ve done the right thing’. I feel so lucky to be here. It’s just wonderful for me.

The day I was moving in, I met my friend Jane. We got chatting and then one of the duty managers came and introduced themselves. Jane said that a few other homeowners had lunch in the restaurant most days and invited me to join them.

So that was my introduction, which was wonderful. Jane and I are very conscious that when somebody moves in, we

welcome. I think that’s how such a good community has grown, it’s excellent.

We’ve got a gardening group, and have a group that plays boules. We play chess, dominoes, and cribbage. We have the cinema room as well.

There’s an exercise class that Dot runs too. I go to that once a week. There’s such a lot going on.

We all watched the Coronation together sharing drinks and nibbles. The on-site chef made cakes and Pimms. We had a lovely party. Then, when Wimbledon was on, we watched the tennis and had strawberries and cream. We had an impromptu party a couple of weeks ago for one of the duty managers who turned 50.

The chef puts on regular speciality nights too. We’ve got a Turkish night this week. We’ve had a Greek theme, a French night, an Italian night, we had a party with an Oscars theme too.

Anne and friends

What advice would you give to someone looking at moving into a retirement living community?

Moving to a retirement community like this is the best thing you could possibly do. It’s the best thing I have done because you can carry on just as you always have done if that’s what you want, but there’s also another aspect to it, if you want it. Plus you’ve got an added sense of security and you’re not alone. Many of the worries are taken off your shoulders. You no longer have to worry about the structure of your property, or about looking after the garden.

I’m glad I came here and I’m happy. I enjoy the support that we all get from each other as well as from the management team. I enjoy the friendship. It’s always good to have that feeling of support.

Hello October

The season of the second harvest

Celebrating the bounty of late crops like squash and apples, it’s a time of abundance, and preparation for winter, reflecting upon history prompting gratitude for the food we have.

The second harvest festival is usually celebrated on the Sunday nearest to the Harvest Moon, and this year it falls on 1st October.

Witch’s Delight

A Maple Pecan Pie to haunt your taste buds

This Halloween, conjure up the perfect treat with our spellbinding Maple Pecan Pie. Whether you're hosting a haunted house or simply indulging in a cosy night in, this pie is the perfect companion for a frightfully delightful feast.

Ingredients: Crust: 200g plain flour, 100g butter, 1 tbsp icing sugar, 1-2 tbsp water Filling: 400g pumpkin puree,150ml double cream, 100g brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping: 100g pecan halves

Instructions: 1) Combine flour, icing sugar, and butter in a bowl. Rub together until the mix resembles breadcrumbs. Add water gradually until a dough forms. Chill for 30 minutes. Roll out, line a 9-inch pie dish, and blind bake at 160°C fan for 15 minutes. Remove beans and bake 5 more minutes.

2) In a large bowl, whisk together all of the filling ingredients. Pour into the pre-baked crust. Bake for 45 minutes until the filling is set with a slight wobble in the centre. Cool completely.

3) Melt butter in a pan, stir in maple syrup, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Coat pecans in the syrup, then spread evenly over the cooled pie. Let the pie cool before slicing. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

Murder Mystry Night at the Cottons

We look back at the halloween fun homeowners had in at our community in Ramsbottom.

How to make fake blood

Did you know?

The tradition of using conkers to deter spiders in October stems from an old wives' tale. Some believe that placing conkers around your home keeps spiders at bay, although there's little scientific evidence to support this.

October is derived from the Latin word "octo," meaning eight. It was originally the eighth month in the Roman calendar before January and February were added.

October's full moon is known as the "Hunter's Moon. " It was traditionally the time for hunters to gather provisions for winter as the moonlight provided more time to hunt.

Create a Halloween horror scene straight from your kitchen cupboards with this easy fake blood recipe.

Ingredients: Golden syrup, Flour, Red food colouring, Cocoa powder. Optional extras: water, dried onion, cornflakes, peanut butter

Instructions: 1) Mix together golden syrup and flour in a roughly 4:1 ratio, leaving it as lumpy as you like.

2) Add a few drops of red food colouring and stir.

3) Gradually add cocoa powder to darken the colour. If the mixture gets too dry, add a bit of water to reach the desired consistency.

4) Dab on as needed—be cautious, as it can stain! Or you can swap in ketchup, cherry juice, or beetroot juice. For extra effect, experiment with adding peanut butter for a gooey texture or dried onion and cornflakes for an enhanced effect.

Have fun experimenting and creating your spooky scenes!

A spookily time of year

Samhain is a Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, traditionally celebrated from October 31st to November 1st. During this time, it was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits to cross into the mortal world.

Traditions: Lighting bonfires, feasting, and leaving offerings for ancestors.

Embrace it: Today, honour Samhain by reflecting on personal growth, lighting candles, preparing seasonal foods like pumpkins or apples, and connecting with nature to celebrate the changing seasons.

Q&A

Karen McDonald

Senior Sales Progressor

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a mum of three with nine grandchildren, so life keeps me busy! I’ve been passionate about horse riding since I was young and have owned horses for years. I also enjoy gardening and have been a lifelong Liverpool supporter, with a strong love for football.

What is your role at Adlington?

I’m the Senior Sales Progressor based at Head Office, guiding our future homeowners through the legal process of buying their homes. Although my main base is head office, I regularly visit our communities to meet reservists in person, so they know who they’re speaking to throughout their journey. I keep them updated on the progress of their purchase, but sometimes I’ll call just to check in and see how they’re doing. Many of our homeowners have led fascinating lives - some have flown planes for the RAF, worked as ski instructors, or even won Olympic medals. Moving can be a stressful time, and I do my best to help ease that stress. It’s always lovely to see them again after they’ve moved in.

Beyond the desk

What keeps you motivated and happy at work?

I began my journey at Adlington as a Sales Consultant, before being promoted to Senior Sales Consultant, and eventually stepping into my current role as Senior Sales Progressor. Adlington provides the opportunity and support to grow within the company. It’s a family-oriented business where colleagues from every area of the business all work together as a team.

What is your favourite film and song?

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café is a favourite of mine, and I’ll watch any film with Kathy Bates - she’s a fantastic actress. While I don’t have a single favourite song, I do have a love for music in general.

Best place to visit in the world?

I’ve visited Italy several times and absolutely love it - the people, the food, the wine, and the relaxed lifestyle. Venice is especially magical in the evenings, with its street cafés, chic locals enjoying wine and gelato, often with their equally stylish little lap dogs.

01 What World Championship takes place each October in the village of Southwick, Northamptonshire?

02 In what year was Grandparents Day first officially celebrated?

03 Complete the opening of the following song “Autumn days when the grass is...”

04 What is the name of the autumn flower that is also known as the “mum”?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 11

A could do list for autumn

Write a heartfelt thank you note, whether it's for a friend, family member, or even the postman

Visit a garden or stately home and gather fallen leaves to press as keepsakes

Add solar-powered lights to your garden and enjoy peaceful evenings outdoors

Plant tulip bulbs in a pot, with the promise of vibrant colour next year

We all need somebody

Having a support network is important at any time of life but it becomes more so in later life. For some people, whose adult children or grandchildren live nearby and are happy to help, a quick phone call is all that’s required, and someone can be on hand in a short space of time. However, that’s not the case for everybody.

According to Ageing Well Without Children, one in ten people over the age of 60 have no children. Others have children who are unwilling to offer help and support because they are estranged or have no contact. And some may have had children, but those children have either predeceased them, have care needs of their own.

Making sure there are people nearby who can help was front of mind for Tim and Angela when they decided to move to an Adlington Retirement community.

Angela: We were planning ahead and thinking, if we need some help, we need people that we can rely on. Our daughter lives in Germany now with her husband and two boys. And our son is in Canada, with his wife and two children. They were getting worried that we’re getting old and had no support around us.

Tim: I think that was a big reason for Angela. She was worried that if anything happened to me, she didn't want to be on her own, either in an emergency or long term.

In our old house I remember I stumbled and fell in the drive. I

was shouting. I couldn't get up and people who were walking past came and helped me up.

"Having somebody available 24 hours a day is extremely important. You know there’s help on hand if required. I find that very reassuring."

Homeowner, Dr Cath

Angela: The same thing happened to me one day. We’d had a delivery of logs, and I trod on a log, slipped and ended up flat on my back on the stone drive. Fortunately, our next-door neighbour had his windows open and heard me shouting, and a lady who'd been walking past came running up the drive. She happened to be a nurse, and our neighbour was a physiotherapist, so they got me up.

Tim: Now if anything were to happen, we can just press a button, and the duty manager would rush to help. That sort of facility at our age is ideal. Especially when you haven't got any family nearby.

Another homeowner, Cath, enjoys the peace of mind that her move has given her and her children.

It’s as important for them as it is for me. They know that there is somebody around if I should need any assistance. It takes the weight off their shoulders. I haven’t required any care support but it’s very reassuring that there is that option if you need it in the future.

Cath also appreciates not having to worry about the maintenance or upkeep of the building.

I knew that the upkeep of the house and garden would be a burden if I was there on my own. The house was 50 years old and there were things that needed doing to it and I would have been unable to cope.

FACT OR FICTION - YOU DECIDE

Many of our homeowners say they wished they'd moved sooner, however, the common misconceptions about retirement living can often hold you back, so we've summarised what those perceptions are and what our homeowners have told us. You can read more on our website, or you can give our helpful sales team a call and they can help you to decide if it's a good move for you.

Perception: Moving to a retirement community might feel like living in an institution, and I worry about losing control over my life and choices.

“Moving to a retirement community like this is the best thing you could possibly do. It’s the best thing I have done because you can carry on just as you always have done. You’ve got the possibility of friendship groups, of support, while still maintaining your independence and if you want to remain private, you can close your front door and be as private as you want to be." Homeowner, Anne

Perception: If I move to a retirement living apartment, I wouldn't have space for all the things I love.

“I chose a two bedroomed apartment. It was just the right size for me. There’s plenty of storage and then when you use all of the facilities here as an extension of your own home, you don’t feel like you’ve particularly downsized.” Homeowner, Dr Trevor

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

“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 knew we’d enjoy it, but we didn’t think it was going to be as good as this." Homeowners, Pat & Michael

Perception: I wouldn’t be happy living in an apartment when I’ve enjoyed a larger property for most of my life

“I’ve got the best of both worlds with my apartment because I’ve also got all the communal areas to enjoy like the homeowners’ lounge, the coffee bar and the restaurant. We also have the therapy suite and of course the hair salon."

Homeowner, Bess

Perception: Moving to a retirement community takes away your choices and independence.

"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!” Homeowner, Joan

Perception: Surely retaining your future independence is expensive?

"There’s a tendency to look at it in isolation as a charge that you didn’t pay before, but when you sit down and work out all the different services that you paid for at home, it’s actually not bad."

Homeowner, Pam

Perception: Retirement apartments don’t sell, and the fees charged are high .

“One thing that might put some people off is that you pay a percentage back when you sell the apartment but there again, you can understand that that’s important to maintain the quality of the building and that helps to sell the property on or sell your apartment on. When Clare and I went to look at other retirement properties, you could tell that some of them were looking a bit tired. I know it’s a new building here, but it’s immaculate. "

Homeowner, Dr Cath

Keeping the past alive

As the leaves start falling and the seasons change, there's no better time to explore the branches of your family tree. Genealogy is a fascinating journey into your past, your heritage, family history, and even a deeper understanding of yourself.

Here’s how to get started, where to find the information you need, and some recommendations to help you along the way.

START WITH WHAT YOU KNOW

Begin by documenting what you already know about your family. Gather any family records, old photographs, letters, and heirlooms. Talk to relatives, to capture their memories and stories. This firsthand information will form the foundation of your research.

ORGANISE YOUR FINDINGS

Use genealogy software or create a family tree chart to keep track of names, dates, and relationships. There are several online tools, like Ancestry.co.uk or MyHeritage.com that offer templates and guides for organising your information. This step is crucial to avoid confusion as your research expands.

EXPLORE ONLINE RESOURCES

• Ancestry.co.uk

• Findmypast.co.uk

• FamilySearch.org

• The National Archives (UK)

VISIT LOCAL ARCHIVES & LIBRARIES

Local archives, libraries, and family history societies are invaluable for accessing records that may not be available online. Visit your local library to start the journey

UTILISE DNA TESTING

DNA testing has become a popular tool in genealogy, offering the ability to trace your ancestry across different regions and connect with distant relatives.

JOIN GENEALOGY GROUPS & FORUMS

Engaging with others who are also researching their family history can be incredibly helpful. Online forums like those on Reddit, or more specialised groups on Facebook, allow you to ask questions, share resources, and connect with distant relatives who might hold pieces of your family puzzle.

BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT

Genealogy research can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, with brick walls and dead ends. However, with patience and persistence, those elusive details often come to light, making the journey all the more rewarding.

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.