"It’s the sense of community"
14/05/2009
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The best retirement developments are those that manage to achieve a sense of community as well as provide a secure, independent lifestyle. We look at St George’s Park in Ditchling, which already has a thriving community of 140, and is now about to expand with a further phase.
Set in 250 acres of rolling lawns, landscaped gardens and extensive farmland - and located just north of the South Downs - St. George’s Park has gone from being an idea on the drawing board into an award- winning development in just over four years.
A total of 235 apartments designed for the over 60s are being built on this country estate owned by the Augustinian Order. As you would expect, an extensive range of facilities is available, with residents able to choose from services as diverse as a concierge and a range of fitness and exercise options, to the eating out alternatives offered by the café and restaurant areas.
At the hub of the village is a well used community centre, Máes Court, named after the Order’s founder Canon Peter Máes. Here you’ll find a café/bar and restaurant, a library with broadband internet, a games room plus a multi-purpose function room - used for meetings, clubs or for exercise classes. The treatment room provides a home for visiting therapists and there is even a hairdressing salon on site.
As the development expands, more facilities will be provided, and a purpose-built leisure centre is promised - complete with heated indoor swimming pool, gym, and spa.
Keeping fit is essential for later life, and outside you’ll find a golf practice net, boules pitch and croquet lawn, with a manicured bowling lawn and tennis court scheduled for future phases. There is also a well stocked lake where residents can while away a lazy summer’s day and emulate the old song ‘‘Gone fishing”!
The original concert hall, with its delightful ornate ceiling, is available to residents and makes an ideal place for special occasions, communal gatherings or events such as plays, guest speakers, film nights or concerts.
All this has helped St. George’s Park generate a terrific social
life: the residents have created their own tight-knit community through the myriad social clubs and wide range of events which are organised. June Le Vaillant moved into a two bedroom apartment at St George’s Park last year - attracted by the large number of facilities available. In her words: “There is a real sense of community here and you feel like you are always included.”
Ro Lowe McConnell, an author who moved to the village two years ago, agrees and explains: “I really feel like I am a part of a community at St George’s Park and I have become involved in a great number of activities on offer including book club and scrabble. I often meet friends for coffee mornings, afternoons and for lunches at the restaurant on site.”
Prices at St George start at £340,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
For further information contact the sales office on 01444 259732 or visit the website below.