A brand new Abbeyfield house in Taunton, Somerset, was officially opened by HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, in May. Northfield Court, a £1.6 million development close to the centre of the town, provides ten flats for the active elderly. Each flat has its own lounge, one or two bedrooms, a kitchenette and shower room, and is equipped with an emergency call system and entry phone.
The Earl was shown around two of the flats by residents Mrs Irene Warner and Mr Tom Badcock, before unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit and having a cup of tea with residents in the main lounge. Colonel David Lowe, chairman of the Abbeyfield Taunton Defendamus Society, said: “We were extremely honoured that His Royal Highness agreed to perform the opening ceremony of this prestigious new building of which we are all very proud. “It was memorable day for our residents and for the many people who have worked so hard on this development which is very much in the vanguard of Abbeyfield housing provision".
The Abbeyfield Taunton Defendamus Society was formed in 1967 and for 30 years had two houses in the town, Middleway and Woodstock, each with eight bed-sitting rooms. Sadly Woodstock House had to be closed in 2004 as it did not provide the quality of accommodation sought by the active elderly of a later generation and consequently was half full and not financially viable. Faced with these circumstances, the Taunton Society decided to build a modern attractive block of flats, providing greater personal space and specifically designed to meet Abbeyfield Society requirements, within walking distance of the centre of Taunton. Funding for the project was put in place and work began in January 2007.
Residents moved into Northfield Court in March this year. Among the guests at the opening was Abbeyfield founder Richard Carr-Gomm.
Article Created: Thursday, May 15, 2008