Nostalgia, new adventures, and a place packed with personality. Wish you were here?
From postcards to pier walks – holiday memories revived
Downsizing for independence without compromise
Discover the joy of community living
Welcome
August is often a month of gentle reflection of shared stories in the sunshine and cherished holiday memories. Across our communities, we often see how those moments flourish when homeowners feel supported, connected and inspired.
In this issue, we celebrate fun and friendship, explore the rise of retro British holidays, and how retirement living empowers our homeowners to travel with ease and pursue hobbies with passion.
We also hear from homeowners who've downsized and discovered that less really can mean more. More freedom, more choice, and more opportunities to enjoy life on their terms.
Wherever this month finds you, we hope you enjoy some nostalgia, feel inspired to travel and perhaps even a spark to try something new.
Contents
04
A place packed with personality
Discover a new lifestyle where life's for living.
06
The revival of classic British holidays
How nostalgic destinations from the past are back in style and delighting a whole new generation.
08
Dr Ed Gladman, Chief Executive Officer
Follow
09
A postcard from the past
Take a look back at the golden age of travel and memories we still treasure today.
Quiz time
Test your knowledge of history, holidays and odd traditions in our feelgood summer quiz.
Companionship with a wag
Explore the benefits of pets in later life, from fitness to friendships.
10
A cup of tea with Frank Frank shares his powerful journey through grief, travel, and finding renewed purpose.
Events News
Take the next step toward a better balance
It is wonderful to be welcoming prospective homeowners to our upcoming communities in Knaresborough and Exeter, helping them to secure a reservation on their favourite apartments. Not only are they enjoying the stylish interiors but also the potential they could see in a new lifestyle in the thoughtfully designed socialising spaces and level access apartments. We are really looking forward to helping them settle in later this year.
To help them build new friendships, reservees enjoyed coffee together in the lounges sharing stories of their excitement to move and shake off the burdens of a larger home.
Meanwhile, at Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, homeowners, reservees and guests mingled in the company of the Lancashire Belle, Jane Francis, who entertained with rousing songs from bygone eras over afternoon tea. If you would like to join one of our events to see the lifestyle for yourself, the latest dates and contact numbers are over to the right.
Lancashire Belle, Jane Francis, will be performing her wonderful 1940's music across our communities this summer. Complementary tickets to her song-filled afternoon teas are available on a firstcome-first served basis, so keep your eyes peeled for the invitation, limber up and get into the swing.
The Newells, Kempston Wednesday 6th August, 2:00pm
The Sidings, Lytham Thursday 14th August, 2:00pm
The Spindles, Menston Thursday 25th September, 2:00pm
Brookfields House turns one
Brookfields House, Newcastle-under-Lyme Wednesday 24th September
There’s often a misconception that when the time comes to leave your family home your next option is to move to a quiet, lifeless space, where residents sit, seemingly waiting to fade into the background.
But step inside an Adlington retirement community and you’ll find a world that’s richly colourful, buzzing with laughter, purpose and friendship. This is not a care home, it’s a new home, packed with personality, creativity, and connection.
Everyday life is about community, choice, and enjoyment
From quiz evenings and cinema nights to book clubs and pétanque afternoons, there’s something for every taste, and energy level, when you choose retirement living.
Sue, a homeowner at The Woodlands, celebrates this:
“I have a busier social life now than I’ve ever had before. We have quiz nights, poetry nights and a book club. I take part in most of these; I just go for it.
We’re so lucky to have such interesting people and we look after each other too. I have never regretted moving here, not for an instant.”
Hobbies and creative pursuits also thrive
Life continues to be about creating new things, not compromise, with retirement living often offering more space for the pursuits you love, alongside the ease of modern living.
Homeowner Margaret, an avid gardener and pianist, chose an apartment with a room dedicated to her passions:
“That’s one reason why I bought a three-bedroomed apartment. One bedroom is full of memorabilia, sewing, knitting and my upright piano. It’s a hobby room.”
Community spirit and collective energy
Laughter is a sign of good health, not decline, and is about happy moments, new stories, and friendships forged over shared experiences.
Homeowners Ann and Harry, have embraced their new life with gusto:
“We have a gardening group, takeaway nights and there’s a local historical interest group. We’ve done comedy nights and games nights, and I’ve never laughed so much since I moved here.”
Ann goes on to exclaim: “You don’t have worries here. It’s like being on holiday all the time. I can’t get over it. It’s wonderful.”
This atmosphere isn’t accidental. Active retirement communities with welldesigned amenities and thoughtful activities help guard against loneliness, a recognised health risk.
As research demonstrates, communal living can lead to better mental health, more activity, and enhanced wellbeing. In a ProMatura survey of nearly 2,800 retirement living residents, 90% said they'd moved at the right time, 71% saw their move as a chance to make new friends, and most felt they were healthier, more active, and happier.
The wonder of choice
Look around and you’ll find inspiring examples of the different homeowners in knitting circles, those who are board-game strategists, gardening enthusiasts, and armchair film aficionados, all in one place. Best of all,
homeowners choose what to enjoy without pressure.
Homeowners Angela and Tim, share that view:
“It’s nice to have the option to join in when you want to. We’ve been to the cinema room on a Friday night most weeks. We have a quiz once a fortnight, we do keep fit, Tai Chi and chair-based exercise classes.”
The beauty of these settings lies in their diversity of personalities and passions.
Whether you’re a cinephile, a gardener, a quiz champion, or an artist, you’ll find your space, and people with shared interests.
Joan and Bill, homeowners, explain how it works:
“You still have all your own independence and your own privacy. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Their words resonate with those who want the comfort of a purpose-built apartment, the freedom of choice, and the companionship of a community. Retirement living doesn’t close the doors to the world; it can, actually, open them.
Thoughtfully designed living
Adlington communities are built with purpose, such as wide corridors, accessible level-living apartments, inviting lounges, and spaces to gather, but there’s nothing sterile about them. They’re stylish, comfortable, and intentionally designed to feel like home, a living one. They’re spaces that welcome creativity, friendship, and spontaneity.
Perhaps most important of all; every homeowner, at every moment, is living life. It’s a
place where camaraderie replaces isolation, initiative replaces monotony, and passions are rekindled. Our communities inspire people, reinforcing that later life isn’t life’s last chapter, it can be its most vibrant one.
If you’re looking for a place where every day is filled with options, where laughter is abound, and where you’re surrounded by others who are choosing to live boldly, our retirement communities are ready to welcome you.
KEEP LAUGHING, KEEP LIVING
THE POWER OF FUN IN LATER LIFE
Having fun isn’t just a treat, it’s a tonic. Whether it’s sharing a laugh over lunch, joining a quiz, or trying something new with neighbours, joyful moments have real, lasting benefits for your health and happiness.
Here’s why fun and connection matter more than ever:
Boosts brain health Social interaction and laughter help keep your mind sharp and reduce dementia risk (Alzheimer’s Society).
Supports heart health Enjoyment lowers stress and blood pressure, improving heart outcomes (British Heart Foundation).
Fights loneliness Regular social contact helps ease isolation and depression (Age UK).
Keeps you moving Activities like dancing or garden games keep you active without feeling like a workout.
Fun isn’t frivolous, it’s foundational. In a vibrant community, opportunities to connect, laugh and live well are never far away. Because growing older should never mean growing dull.
Beside the Seaside
How retro British holidays are making a comeback
There was a time when a seaside trip meant sand in your sandwiches, flapping windbreaks, and a coin firmly wedged in the slot of a brightly lit arcade. Post-war Britain ushered in a golden era of homegrown holidays and now, in a twist as warming as a flask of tea on the prom, many of those destinations are springing back to life.
Classic spots making a comeback
Llandudno, North Wales
A staple of 1950s coach holidays, Llandudno still boasts its original Victorian pier, cable cars over the Great Orme, and Punch & Judy shows. It’s a time capsule that works, especially with upgraded B&Bs and new restaurants breathing life into the resort where you’ll find nostalgia mixed with new comfort.
As holidaymakers rediscover nostalgia and the charm of a British break, 1950s, 60s, and 70s hotspots are enjoying a quiet resurgence. Driven by a desire for slower travel, heritage, and meaningful connection, these once-forgotten gems are drawing everyone from curious grandchildren to wistful grandparents, all in search of something real and close to home.
Morecambe, Lancashire
Home of Eric Morecambe and that famous statue, the town was once known for its majestic art deco Midland Hotel and golden sands. Now, a cultural revival is underway. Eden Project North (opening next year) has cast a green spotlight, while old-school attractions like happy hour bingo and ballroom teas are being reinvented.
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Once the UK’s most visited resort, Scarborough is reclaiming its crown with restored cliff trams, an open-air theatre, and familyfriendly sands. Vintage-style ice cream parlours and fresh seafood stalls appeal to all generations, while the North Bay Railway chugs along as charmingly as ever.
M argate, Ken t
Once dubbed the 'Blackpool of the South', Margate was a mecca for 1960s families who travelled by train in their Sunday best. After decades of decline, it’s now buzzing again thanks to the Turner Contemporary Gallery, vintage shops, and the revived Dreamland Amusement Park. There’s even a roller disco and scenic seafront walks ideal for all ages.
From knobbly knees to cool cabins;
holiday parks still fly the flag
Butlins, Pontins and other holiday camps defined the mid-century family break full of knobbly knee competitions, redcoats, communal dining and talent shows. While the format faded with the rise of package holidays, it never fully disappeared. And now? It’s back with a twist.
Modern holiday park breaks blend retro charm with creature comforts; think live music weekends, spas, and proper coffee alongside the classic fun and swimming domes. And today’s guests include not just parents and children, but nan, granddad, and even great-grandchildren too.
Homeowner Margaret shared how going on holiday has changed for her and husband Keith: “Since we moved here, we have much more peace of mind going on holiday and leaving our property than we did before.”
A multigenerational revival
What makes these places so special now is their layered appeal. For many older visitors, these holidays offer a powerful sense of reminiscence, while for younger family members, they’re delightfully novel.
Grandparents can share memories of their first train ride to the coast, their honeymoon ice cream on the pier, or the Elvis impersonator they met at the camp dance in ’72. For children, these stories come to life, not through black and white photos, but through real-time experience.
Beach huts, brass bands, donkey rides, fairgrounds and paper-wrapped fish and chips offer a rare, tactile holiday style that’s hard to replicate in theme parks or all-inclusive resorts abroad. They’re holidays where time slows, devices stay in pockets, and generations spend time side by side.
According to VisitBritain, domestic tourism among the over-60s has increased in
Why the past still matters
Revisiting these places isn’t just about reliving childhood memories, it’s about reconnecting with something deeper: belonging, community, and continuity. In a world that often moves too fast, there’s something grounding in the familiar smell of sea air, the sound of gulls, and the twinkle of lights from the end of a pier.
And let’s not forget the joy. The real joy of shared laughs over crazy golf, gentle walks with views of old lighthouses, or getting carried
recent years, particularly when the destination has heritage or nostalgic significance. Families are now booking group stays, with options from restored railway carriages to seafront hotels catering for all ages.
Angela and Tim, homeowners at The Spindles, discovered the ease of modern living holidays and spending quality time with family, “We went away for a week with our daughter this summer. We enjoy having the beautiful gardens here, but it was so nice just to pack up our things and shut the door without having to think about mowing the lawn or deadheading the roses before going. It was a lovely holiday.”
away on a vintage steam train. These are not just holidays. They’re memory-making missions.
However, if leaving your home unoccupied and the list of pre-holiday jobs feels overwhelming, Sue, homeowner at The Woodlands may inspire you:
“If I was giving anybody advice about moving to a retirement living community, I would say just go for it! This is definitely the way forward. I feel very lucky.”
A postcard from the past
There was a time when the smell of suncream, the rustle of a glossy holiday brochure, and a hastily scribbled postcard summed up the height of travel excitement.
At the heart of this travel dreamscape was the longrunning TV show Wish You Were Here...? which first aired on ITV in 1974. Presented over the years by Judith Chalmers, Anneka Rice, and John Carter, the programme became a fixture of British living rooms for nearly three decades as a simply a dose of escapism after Sunday tea.
It didn’t glamorise luxury, instead, it celebrated the practicalities: resort buffets, sun lounger availability, queue-free excursions, and the joys of all-inclusive wristbands. But long before satellite TV and email confirmations, there were the holiday brochures; treasured tomes collected from the travel agent and pored over, with every page a promise.
The postcard, meanwhile, was the original Instagram with over 200 million sent from the UK each year in the 70s. Whether it featured donkeys on Blackpool beach or a cartoon of a sunburned character it was sent with affection. And often it arrived home after you did.
In an age of instant booking and filtered photos, there’s something comforting in revisiting the way we used to travel. It was a time of anticipation, shared planning, and stories retold for years afterwards. The fun wasn't just in the going, but in the dreaming of a holiday.
And while we may no longer queue at the travel agent on a Saturday morning, many of us still smile when we hear that phrase “Wish you were here?” and remember a golden era of holidays, hope, and homewritten headlines.
Look out on our Facebook page for shared holiday memories, we would love to hear yours @AdlingtonLife
01 Which British seaside town hosts the annual International Air Show each August, featuring the Red Arrows?
02 Which Shakespeare play contains the line: “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date”?
03 What iconic holiday treat, still enjoyed today, was first mass produced in the 1950s and evokes memories of August beach days?
04 Which famous English artist, known for his watercolours of the Lake District, was born on 12 August 1774?
05 What British river is traditionally the setting for swan upping, a ceremonial event dating back to the 12th century?
06 What was Judith Chalmers’ signature phrase, a gentle nod to her famously bronzed complexion.
07 What is the birthstone traditionally associated with August and a 16th wedding anniversary, and what is it’s typical colour?
08 What unusual tradition might you spot at the Egremont Crab Fair in Cumbria in late August?
09 The 1970’s Butlins brochure tagline used to be “A week’s holiday for [what]”
10 In what year was the first postcard sent in the UK (bonus point for exact year)
ANSWERS ON PAGE 11
Paws and more
It’s no surprise the benefits of interacting with a pet, even if it’s not your own, which is why we welcome them to our communities.
INCREASED MOVEMENT
Whether that’s walking a pet or simply playing with one.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
Pets can act as social facilitators, helping to connect with others and form social bonds.
IMPROVED HEALTH
Research conducted by the University of York found that stroking a pet can lead to a decrease in cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, in both pet owners and non-owners.
At Adlington we know that animals are often part of the family and can see how the companionship pets provide can be invaluable, making a really positive impact on homeowners’ lives.
Mavis decided to rightsize to Jacobs Gate as finding somewhere that would welcome a fourlegged friend was a top priority. “One of the upsides of having a dog is that you keep exercising. You get to know so many people with their dogs. It’s funny because you always know the dog’s name but not the owner. There are one or two people who I’m really good friends with now because we met walking our dogs.”
OSCAR AND OSCAR, RESIDENT OFFICE DOGS AT ADLINGTON HQ
Meet our dynamic duo: Oscar the miniature sausage dog, full of spirit and charm, and Oscar the cocker spaniel, a bundle of energy, spreading affection through the office.
A GRIMACE OR A GURN?
Gurning, the tradition of pulling grotesque faces, is thought to have originated from eating sour crab apples and is a rural English custom dating back to at least 1267. The practice involves distorting one's face, often with a horse collar (a "braffin") to frame it, and competing to make the ugliest expression. Tommy Mattinson, a multiple-time champion even met the Queen after winning his 18th title.
Early roots and family life
Apart from a brief period in the sixties, Frank has always lived in North Staffordshire. He met his wife Janet in London in 1964 when she was training to be a nurse at King’s College Hospital, and he was finishing the final year of his fiveyear engineering apprenticeship.
Janet had a fulfilling career as a district nurse before becoming a specialist palliative care nurse with the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. Frank worked as a design engineer, based in the West Midlands and Birmingham.
“We were happily married for 54 years and had three children, all of whom are now grown, married, and have families of their own.”
A cup of tea with
Frank
When Frank moved to Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, it marked not just a change of address, but the beginning of a new, hopeful chapter.
A life of adventure
Once their children were grown, Frank and Janet began travelling extensively.
“We never liked beach holidays. We preferred visiting interesting and exotic places.”
Their first big trip was in 1985, a three-week adventure to India and Nepal. “It was amazing. There were no mobile phones, no internet. It was a real adventure. While in India, we even met Sir Edmund Hillary. He was filming at the Pushkar camel fair.”
That trip sparked a lifelong love for both countries.
“We went back several times - six visits to Nepal, seven to India. We also saw Bhutan, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia and New Zealand.”
They trekked through Langtang, Annapurna Base Camp, and the Everest region, enjoying real adventures together.
Coping with loss
The couple had planned another trip to India in 2020, but Covid changed everything, and Janet became ill with Alzheimer’s disease.
“It became necessary for her to go into a care home just before Christmas that year. I was completely bereft and devastated that this decision finally had to be made.
“The restrictions meant I couldn’t visit properly. Window visits were very distressing, and later I could visit but we had screens between us. By the time I was able to visit my wife properly, I was no longer sure that she recognised me.”
Janet passed away just before Christmas 2022, a month before their 54th wedding anniversary.
A big decision
Afterwards, Frank found himself isolated.
“It took a while to adjust to the fact that I was a widower albeit I had been on my own for the previous two years. My wife and I were so close. She was my best friend. I often thought, ‘Janet’s up there, looking down - she’d want me to do the right thing.’”
His children all live away - his youngest daughter in Derby, his eldest daughter in Portsmouth, and his son near Northwich. Living alone in a large, four-bedroom house with a garden in a rural village felt unsustainable.
“What I needed was a community.” That’s when he found Brookfields House.
Finding a new home
Frank was encouraged to visit an existing community in Heaton Mersey.
“One of the homeowners chatted with me over lunch and said, ‘It’s the best thing I ever did - I wish I’d done it years ago.’ I heard that again and again. Nobody regretted it.”
Frank chose a two-bedroom apartment and moved in at the end of September 2024.
Settling in
“Once I moved in, I knew I’d made the right decision. I settled immediately and have made new friends. I have no regrets. It’s been the right thing for me. I have a community which I’ve not had before.”
“We’ll sit, chat, share a bottle of wine. Everyone here is a friend.”
He uses the homeowners’ lounge as an extension of his own home.
“I love reading. I’m in the book club - we’re reviewing Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club this Friday. I’ve read all of his books.”
Cooking and baking are also a passion
.
“When Janet went back to work after our third child, I learned to cook. And when she got ill, I missed her baking, so I had a go. It took me three attempts to perfect a lemon drizzle cake.”
He treats himself to the on-site restaurant now and then but mostly cooks for himself.
Support and moving forward
When the Covid restrictions eased, the Douglas Macmillan Hospice offered vital support to Frank through their care support meetings and later their bereavement groups.
“When I recently told them I didn’t need the group anymore, the lady said, ‘I’m so glad.’ That meant a lot.”
Frank has even started travelling again.
“I went back to India in November 2024, and I’ve just returned from my seventh visit to Nepal. Some places were bittersweet without Janet, but I saw new things too.”
Now, with the security and freedom of Brookfields House, travel is easier.
“I can just lock the door and go. No worries. Before, I had to cancel the post, get someone to keep an eye on the house, give my children’s numbers… Now, it’s all taken care of.”
Frank’s advice
For others considering a move to retirement living, Frank offers thoughtful advice.
“My own situation was one of isolation. The greatest benefit has been the improvement to my well-being. Humans need community. I’d say give it consideration and come and have a look around.”
QUIZ ANSWERS - 01 Bournemouth | 02 Sonnet 18 | 03 The 99 Flake soft-serve ice cream 04 John Constable | 05 The Thames where swans are rounded up, ringed, and released 06 “And whatever you do, don’t forget your sun cream…” | 07 The yellow-green Peridot 08 Gurning (pulling funny faces in competitions) | 09 “A week’s wages” | 10 1870
