Retirement lifestyle at The Poynton 127
The Poynton reception. ed residents Carl Doy recently entertain o. on The Poynton’s grand pian
Loving life at The Poynton In each issue of Channel Magazine we take a great deal of pleasure in profiling all the good things that are happening at The Poynton. In this issue we decided to do something a little different. To have a chat with residents who now call The Poynton home. The Poynton has been open for over two years now, so most of the residents have enjoyed all the luxuries for 12 months or more. Aidan Bennett talked to Ray and Pat Jagger during July. Ray and Pat Jagger were attracted very early to The Poynton and were quite taken with the concept, when it was being built back in 2009. In fact they were early visitors to the show apartment which was open to the public while The Poynton was being completed. They decided, however, after that early visit , that The Poynton was not really for them at that time. Around six months later they bumped into friends who they knew had moved into The Poynton. They were invited for afternoon tea and following that visit they were hooked! "What we loved, when we went back for another visit, was the quality of the place," explains Ray. "Pat and I love going on cruises so when we walked through the front doors of The Poynton it just felt right. We were greeted at reception with a smile and a welcome (just like a Purser's area onboard a cruise liner) then as we walked through the lounge and restaurant we felt as though we were actually on a cruise ship – but without the rocking! Our friends’ apartment was lovely so we decided virtually on the spot that The Poynton was for us and we have had no regrets – we love it." What is also interesting about the Jaggers’ is that they are in their 60s and still both work in their family business – H. Morris Funeral Services – which is located just a very short drive from The Poynton. Ray has worked in the business, which they eventually purchased, for 45 years. Two of their four children also work alongside them in the business. Ray and Pat decided The Poynton, suited their lifestyle, and it does. Previously they had owned a family home in Milford which required lots of on going maintenance, gardens to look after and leaves to sweep up! "We love the fact that in The Poynton there is no problem with maintenance, no gardening or leaves to sweep, security is not an issue and there is a real
Ray and Pat Jagger
sense of community," explains Pat. "It just suited what we wanted at this time in our life. We still love working and we love going on cruises, so having a true lockup-and-leave home was our desire. The weekends are now all about us and when we go away on a yearly cruise we don't have to worry about our home." Looking to the future Ray commented that he also liked the fact that if anything were to happen to him, or for that matter to Pat, then they would be in a secure community where either one of us would be well looked after," added Ray. The Jaggers’ did the figures and worked out that the difference per annum between owning their own home and paying rates, insurance, security etc., and living at The Poynton – with all its benefits – was only about $3000 extra per year. The apartment they chose is on the fourth floor and was originally three bedrooms. They have since had it altered to two bedrooms, which has given them increased living space. So what advice do the Jaggers’ have for others who are thinking about The Poynton? "Don't leave it too late," advises Ray. "We are very pleased that we made the decision when we did and we know we will never regret it. It is truly a great lifestyle." "And it is fun," adds Pat. "Ray plays indoor bowls in the games room on a Monday night, we also do Line Dancing – which Ray wasn't that keen on initially but now enjoys, there is the spa, swimming pool, gymnasium for those who want to get fit, a croquet lawn (which is very, very popular) plus lots more activites too numerous to mention, there is always something happening. Every Friday there is a happy hour and dinner with most of the residents. The residents committee also organises great events throughout the year. In July we were fortunate to have a Saturday evening with Carl Doy who entertained us on The Poynton's grand piano, a tremendous evening enjoyed by all.
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 13 - AUGUST 2011