Adlington Life May 2025 by AdlingtonRetirementLiving

ADLINGTON LIFE

Step into spring one stroll at a time

Share a cup of tea with homeowner Sue Bluebells and woodland wonders

Welcome

As the scent of bluebells fills the air and gardens burst into colour, this month reminds us just how good it feels to reconnect – with nature, neighbours and ourselves. From shared strolls through woodlands to quiet moments in the sunshine, our homeowners reflect on how spring encourages a gentler pace and deeper connection.

In this issue, Sue shares her inspiring journey to The Woodlands, and we celebrate the small pleasures of gardening, walking, and socialising with good company.

However you enjoy the season, I hope it brings a sense of renewal and joy to your days ahead.

04

Enjoy gardening without the hard work

Discover how retirement living can bring new joy to gardening, with shared spaces that let you enjoy nature without the hard work.

07

Step into spring - the perfect time for walking and well-being

Dr Ed Gladman, Chief Executive Officer

AdlingtonRetirementLiving

@AdlingtonLife

For many retirees, walking is more than a pastime, it's a way to stay active and mentally sharp.

Bluebells and woodland wonders

Each May, bluebells blanket UK woodlands in a stunning display, perfect for a peaceful spring walk.

Quiz time

Test your knowledge with our monthly quiz.

A cup of tea with Sue Sue shares her journey to The Woodlands, where she’s found joy, connection, and a vibrant social life.

News

The Sidings has passed another milestone now having only 12 apartments left available at this thriving community in the heart of coastal Lytham.

Since the launch of our 3D tours earlier this year, almost 800 people have enjoyed taking a virtual walk around our typical apartments from the comfort of their sofas. Visit adlington.co.uk/360 for a closer look.

Events

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green turns one

Join us for a complimentary afternoon barbecue with live music, fizz, cold beer, and a prize raffle. Limited availability, book your place today.

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green, 1:30 - 4:00pm Wednesday 21st May

Ladies Ascot day, Lytham

Join us for an Ascot themed afternoon tea, featuring fizz, a fun quiz, and a prize for the best dressed guest. Limited availability, book your place today.

The Sidings, Lytham, 2:00 - 4:00pm Thursday 19th June

Coffee and Cake

The Sidings, Lytham, Wednesday 14th May 10:30am Wednesday 11th June 2:30pm

The Spindles, Menston, 2:00pm Tuesday 6th May Tuesday 3rd June

Brookfields House, Newcastle-under-Lyme, 10:30am Wednesday 14th May Wednesday 18th June

Broadleaf House, Wylde Green, 10:30am Thursday 29th May Thursday 19th June

The Newells, Kempston, 10:30am Thursday 8th May Thursday 12th June

RSVP to book your place

Lytham

01524 917888

Menston 01943 660530

Newcastle-under-Lyme 01782 958850

Wylde Green 0121 817 8680

Kempston 01234 988200

Enjoy Gardening Without the Hard Work

For many of us, gardening is more than a pastime, it’s a passion. A connection to the seasons. A way to create beauty and nourish the soul. But as we move into retirement, the physical demands of maintaining a garden can begin to outweigh the joy it once brought. The good news? You don’t have to give it up.

Across the country, our homeowners are discovering the joy of gardening, without the hard work, thanks to retirement communities that offer beautifully landscaped grounds, supportive services, and the freedom to garden on your terms.

Your garden, your way

One of the great pleasures of retirement is having the time to truly enjoy your surroundings. For Margaret and Keith, homeowners at The Spindles in Menston, this means relaxing in the sunshine on their balcony or socialising in the summer house; without the stress of mowing or pruning.

“We love having a garden without the upkeep.” said Keith. “The gardeners do a great job. There's such a mixture of plants, and the homeowners in the gardening club grow some wonderful flowers and produce. They put a notice up ‘help yourself to sweet peas’ and they did the same for the runner beans and mint. They give the chef fresh herbs too.”

Keeping the joy, losing the strain

For many, the physical work of gardening becomes harder over time – especially when dealing with challenging lawns, heavy pots, or demanding borders.

David, also a homeowner at The Spindles, reflects on the relief of letting go of those physical challenges: “Where we used to live, I had a really sloping lawn, and was struggling to mow it. When you move here, all of a sudden, you're not looking at jobs that need doing around the house and garden. The worry has instantly all gone away.”

Instead, David now enjoys the gardens from the comfort of

his lounge or a sunny spot outdoors, while others in the gardening club tend to the raised beds: “I’ve done enough gardening in my life, thank you.”

Still part of the fun

For those who still enjoy getting their hands dirty, in moderation, there are plenty of ways to stay involved. Whether it’s planting pots on a patio or growing tomatoes in raised beds, retirement doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to green-fingered joy.

Michael and Pat, homeowners at The Woodlands, brought their love of gardening with them, in a safer, simpler way.

“We had a big greenhouse and a beautiful garden before, but it was becoming too much,” said Michael. “Now, we’ve got our patio, and we’re going to grow tomatoes and maybe cucumber. We love the gardens. We can walk straight out and sit in the sunshine or walk around the paths in the communal gardens and visit the vegetable gardens.”

The gardening club spirit

There’s also a social side to gardening in retirement living communities. From competitions to impromptu herb giveaways, homeowners find creative ways to connect.

Jane, at The Sidings, shared her favourite memory: “We had a competition for who grew the biggest sunflower. We planted the seeds in little pots in our apartments, then moved them outside when they were big enough, and we watched them grow. It was great fun!”

Staying involved with less effort

With smart planning, the use of raised beds, and easy-to-use tools, gardening can remain an accessible and rewarding hobby.

Raised beds, for example, reduce the need for bending or kneeling, while vertical planting (using trellises or walls) makes harvesting and tending more manageable.

Lightweight and ergonomic tools, from long-handled secateurs to kneelers with handles, can help ease the strain.

Indoor or balcony gardening is also an option and there are countless low-maintenance plants that thrive with minimal effort, from hardy herbs to flowering perennials.

For Joan, at The Chimes in Cheadle, gardening is now about enjoyment, not obligation: “We haven’t got that major responsibility anymore. If you don’t feel like it today, you haven’t got to do it and that’s lovely. When our friends are still digging away and the weeds are still growing, we’ve got Josh the gardener who comes and takes up all the weeds or blows the leaves away!”

Freedom to travel and relax

One of the joys of downsizing to a community with maintained gardens is the freedom it brings. No more worrying about what will happen to the flowers while you’re away, or who will mow the lawn during your summer break.

Angela, who lives at The Spindles with her husband Tim, summed it up perfectly: “We went away to Croatia for a week with our daughter. It was so nice just to pack up and shut the door without having to think about deadheading the roses. It was a lovely holiday.”

Gardens designed for retirement living

All our communities are designed to make enjoying the outdoors effortless. Landscaped gardens are maintained year-round by our dedicated team. Homeowners are free to engage in as much (or as little) gardening as they wish – with raised beds to enjoy, gardening clubs to join, and peaceful spots to simply sit and soak up the view.

“My daughter-in-law is a landscape designer,” said Margaret, a homeowner at The Folds in Romiley. “She was overcome by the quality of the landscape design and the planting.”

From herb gardens to patio pots, summer houses to vegetable patches, our gardens offer something for everyone, and no two days are the same.

A blooming good retirement

Gardening may change in retirement, but it doesn’t have to end. Whether you’re a lifelong, green-fingered enthusiast or someone who now prefers admiring dahlias to digging them up, there’s a place for you in the garden.

With support, shared spaces, and the chance to connect with others, Adlington Retirement Living offers a lifestyle where you can enjoy gardening on your terms. No stress, no backache, just the pleasure of seeing something grow.

So, whether you’re planting seeds with neighbours, enjoying the scent of sweet peas from your balcony, or sipping tea in the shade of a spindle tree, you’ll know that your garden, like your retirement, is blossoming beautifully.

Our Landscape Designer, James King

James has a wealth of qualifications and experience spanning over 20 years and continually gives the ‘wow’ factor to our landscaping.

He said: “I love to make visitors to the gardens feel happy and comfortable. I start with a very practical approach: paths, structures and then look at combinations of plantings and spacing, not only for today but for years to come.”

Step into spring: The perfect time for walking and well-being

As spring unfolds and May paints the countryside with fresh greens and bursts of colour, there’s no better time to dust off your walking shoes and head outdoors. The days are longer, the air is warmer, and nature puts on a show that’s not to be missed - especially when every stroll can be as sociable as it is scenic.

For many Adlington homeowners, walking is more than just a way to pass the time - it’s a lifestyle that keeps both body and mind in excellent shape.

The joy of walking

Margaret and Keith, homeowners at The Spindles in Menston, are keen walkers and know how rewarding it can be. “We do brisk walking. We've always done it. About eight or nine miles was my maximum when I was in a walking group. But now we do a mile and a half every morning, and then we go out again on some days. We like walking. We’ve driven up to Burnsall and walked up to Grassington. It’s lovely in the Yorkshire Dales. We have a cup of coffee and then walk back. We’ve driven to Whitby too, and we’ve walked from Sandsend into Whitby and back.”

It’s clear that for many retirees, walking isn’t about speed or distance, but the pure enjoyment of movement, nature, and conversation. Margaret added, “We've also started a little walking group going around the grounds and looking at the gardens. Yesterday there were about 10 of us. Keith was out with some friends, and when he came back, we were all having coffee after our walk. There were two of the duty managers there and Jane, the general manager, popped in. The atmosphere was brilliant.”

Health benefits that go beyond the obvious

Trevor, a retired GP who moved to The Sidings in Lytham, is no stranger to the medical advantages of an active lifestyle. “I make sure that if I can’t get out into Lytham, I do two laps of The Sidings in the morning and two laps in the afternoon. I think four laps is not much short of a mile so that’s the least that I do.”

As someone who understands the science behind health and ageing, Trevor reflects on the value of social interaction too.

“I think one of the big benefits of moving to a retirement community is the stimulus of other people at this time of life. If somebody has been on their own, as I know very well, you can sink into not wanting to do anything… The stimulus of moving into a place like this can be of great benefit.”

Walking with pets: A joy shared

For dog lovers like Ann and Harry, homeowners at The Sidings, walking is also about companionship. “Ann’s had dogs all her life. Tinka’s been all over Europe with her. Ann walks Tinka and Olga first thing in the morning for an hour and a half and then she goes for another hour and a half late in the afternoon,” said Harry.

Whether you’re exploring a quiet park or sitting in a sunny garden, pets offer structure and motivation to get moving and they’re great icebreakers. “When I walk them, we like to sit in the corner area in the sunshine, where the raised beds are. Everything’s lovely and Ann never stops laughing,” he added.

A stroll with new friends

There’s more to walking than the physical side - it’s also about being part of something. Whether it’s a regular walking club, impromptu garden strolls, or planned group outings, walking in retirement communities helps create bonds.

As Margaret, a homeowner at The Folds in Romiley, says, “I

enjoy walking and belong to the walking club here. I didn’t know that Romiley had so many interesting walks. There are four to six of us in the group who go for a walk every Friday. A while back we took the bus to the Etherow Country Park. It was lovely and cool there because it’s all tree-covered, so we walked about three and a half miles and then caught the bus back.”

Bluebells and woodland wonders:

Why May is so special

Cuckoo’s Nook and The Dingle,

Spring Wood, Whalley

Sutton Coldfield

This nature reserve features a flat, unsurfaced path leading through woodlands rich with bluebells. The tranquil environment makes it ideal for a peaceful stroll.

Located approximately 35 miles from Lytham, Spring Wood is renowned for its stunning bluebell displays in late April and May. The wellmarked trails are moderately inclined, making them manageable for most walkers.

Tips for getting the most out of May walks

Start small : If you’re new to walking regularly, begin with 10-15 minute strolls and gradually increase.

Stay social: Join a group or ask neighbours to join you. Shared walks are more enjoyable.

Use nature apps: Apps like PlantNet or iNaturalist can help identify wildflowers and birds along your route.

Embrace the weather: A light drizzle doesn’t have to stop you - just be prepared.

Change it up: Variety keeps walking interesting. Alternate between woods, parks, pavements, and gardens.

01 The average number of daylight hours in the UK increases in May, but by how minutes per day?

02 Which UK National Park is the largest by area at 1,748 miles.sq (4,528 km.sq)?

03 Which bird is famous for its distinctive, melodic dawn chorus in spring?

04 In which UK town is the ancient ‘Obby ‘Oss’ festival held each May Day?

05 Which flower famously blooms during Chelsea Flower Show in May?

06 The Pennine Way is often called the backbone of England. How many miles long is it? (Bonus point if you can get within 10 miles of the correct answer!)

07 What is the romantic name of a countryside gate that swings between two posts, allowing people through but stopping livestock.

08 What symbol is used on signposts on National Walking Trails in the UK?

TURN TO PAGE 11 FOR THE ANSWERS

The phrase "Ne'er cast a clout till May be out" is an old English saying that means " Don't take off your warm clothes until the hawthorn has blossomed" with the Hawthorn is also being referred to as May blossom.

The saying likely originated because the weather in spring can be unpredictable, with cold snaps returning even after the first warm days.

One of May’s most beautiful surprises is the annual blooming of bluebells. These delicate flowers create magical carpets of blue in woodlands across the UK - perfect for a peaceful walk.

Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire

Approximately 20 miles from Menston, this wooded valley features a 19th-century mill and extensive walking paths. In spring, the valley is blanketed with bluebells, creating a captivating landscape for visitors.

Barton Hills Nature Reserve, Bedfordshire

Bluebells blanket the woodland in spring, set against a backdrop of a chalk spring and winding paths that weave through the scenic slopes of Barton Hills.

Ramblers.org.uk host well-being walks that are short, easy to manage walks perfect for later life to help connect with others and get your healthy steps in, whatever your ability. Search online for Ramblers Wellbeing Walks to find a group near you.

A cup of tea with

S ue

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in Taunton and lived in Plymouth until I was 18.

I met my first husband at college and had my son, Nick, in 1983. He works for the BBC at Salford Quays and lives in Chorlton now, only 25 minutes away from The Woodlands.

After a break I returned to work in administration. After my husband and I split up, I moved to Sweden for just over a year.

When I moved back to the UK, I worked for an engineering firm in Sussex – that’s where I met Neil. He was an engineer there. We met at a darts match, and that was it - love at first sight. We were happily married and celebrated our silver wedding anniversary a few years ago.

We loved walking and nature. We travelled to places like New Zealand and Africa - we just loved wildlife. We used to walk so far. Now I can’t really walk much without my stroller, as I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 11 years ago.

Neil loved tinkering with cars, and he had a passion for planes. Flying was something that he’d always wanted to do so he did it as a hobby for several years.

Sue moved to The Woodlands to be closer to her family.

Why did you decide to move?

Neil was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and died two years later.

I stayed in our house for almost a year after he died. I had friends around there. My son Nick was encouraging me to move up here to be closer to him and his family, but I wasn’t ready.

The following year, I began to feel a bit upset and lonely, and that’s when I started to think about moving.

My daughter-in-law found an advert for Adlington Retirement Living and Nick said, ‘Mum you’ve got to look at this’. He visited The Woodlands and sent me a video. As soon as I saw it, I thought ‘Yes! What’s not to like?’

It only took 12 weeks from the day I made the decision, to the day I moved in.

How quickly did you settle in at The Woodlands?

Within two days I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. We all get on so well and have really good conversations. Everyone’s so nice.

We’re lucky to have such interesting people, and we look after each other too. I have never regretted moving here, not for an instant.

When I first moved in, I would go to the homeowners’ lounge or the coffee lounge, I got friendly with a few people and then I just started to join things.

What activities have you been enjoying?

We have games nights, quiz nights, poetry evenings and a book club - I take part in most of these. There’s a keep fit class on Wednesdays, and we play boules. My social life is busier now than ever before.

We did a bit of art the other day. There’s a little activity room downstairs. There’s a jigsaw table in the homeowners’ lounge and that’s very popular. I sometimes take part in a drama group here too and we go to the theatre in Manchester a lot.

What

What do you enjoy about this time of year at The Woodlands?

The grounds are lovely, they’re so well kept. Having the gardeners is a huge benefit to me. I can’t dig and do all the things that I used to. The fact that somebody else is doing it for me is brilliant.

We enjoy sitting out in the garden or relaxing on my balcony with a gin and tonic when the weather’s good.

I love looking out over the gardens and spotting the birds. When the trees are in bloom it’s lovely. I look out and I think I could be in the treetops.

I’ve walked to the river at Cheadle Bridge and spotted dippers there. You get sand martins nesting in the banks and there are goosanders too. I take my bird book and my binoculars. People are very friendly down there and often stop for a chat.

would you say to somebody considering

retirement living?

I’d say just go for it! I think living somewhere like this gives you the opportunity to be yourself in a safe environment and remain independent. There’s so much freedom to do the things you enjoy.

Want a better view on your walk? Quick Binocular buying tips

Binoculars are labeled with two numbers, like 8×42. The first is magnification, the second is lens size in millimetres. Magnification matters most, but bigger isn’t always better as high magnification can make the image shaky. Stick to what you need, unless you're stargazing… then you'll need a tripod (not ideal for the park stroll!).