Retire to St George’s Park and celebrate Christmas with new friends

Older people looking to enjoy the yuletide festivities in good company this Christmas should take a visit to St George’s Park, in Ditchling, East Sussex. With a great range of two bedroom apartments available for the over 60’s, this retirement village offers a great opportunity to fully enjoy the Christmas period and the forthcoming winter months with good friends and an excellent range of facilities.

Christmas can be a lonely time of year for many people, especially those with small or no families, or families who live abroad. Last year, a quarter of a million people aged over 75 spent Christmas on their own according to a poll by the Centre for Social Justice. The poll also found that an estimated 370,000 over-75s – a quarter of those living alone – spend no time at all with other people, even though the majority of them have children living in the UK.

However at St George’s Park, there are plenty of friends to be made, social events to enjoy and amenities to utilise throughout the year, especially at Christmas when there is also a carol concert, Christmas meal in the restaurant and a good sprinkling of tinsel to mark the festivities. In addition, residents’ own family and friends are welcome to join in the fun!

Philip Smith, Sales and Marketing Manager at St George’s Park comments: “With winter upon us, now is the perfect time for older people to start thinking about a possible move to a retirement village such as St George’s Park. Offering a great chance to escape from being home alone this Christmas and the long winter months ahead, the village has all the facilities required to ensure residents can fully enjoy the yuletide festivities in the warmth, surrounded by friends, and with some essential turkey and tinsel!”

Current resident, Valerie Moore comments, “We are overwhelmed by how friendly everyone is. There is always a ‘Good Morning’ even from those who don’t even know you. There is a real community spirit here amongst people who have the same goals in life as ourselves – to enjoy and be happy in retirement.”

Perfect during the winter months when it can be hazardous to venture too far from home, onsite facilities include a convenience shop for daily essentials, a hairdressers to ensure everyone looks their best on Christmas Day and the restaurant which will serve up a traditional Christmas roast with all the trimmings, as well as a great range of meals every day at lunch and dinner time.

Ideal for the winter months, there is an excellent assortment of indoor activities on offer, including Thai Chi, balance classes, short tennis, short mat bowls, arts & crafts, line dancing, snooker and table tennis. Facilities also include a gymnasium, games room and a well-stocked library, where residents can either spend their time leisurely reading a book or surfing the net on the computer. There is also a multi-purpose function room and a treatment room that provides excellent amenities for visiting therapists.

As the venue for the forthcoming annual Christmas carol concert, the original concert hall at St George’s Park has an ornate ceiling and is available to residents for special occasions, communal gatherings and other events including plays, guest speakers, film nights or concerts.

For residents that prefer the outdoors, weather permitting there is a well-stocked lake for fishing, a footpath network across the 250 acres of grounds, woodland and lakes, a bowling green, croquet lawn and even an allotment club. Further facilities will include a leisure block with swimming pool, fitness room and hobbies room.

Currently available for immediate occupation are just two 2 bedroom apartments in Birch Walk, which are available from £320,000. Further properties are also available at The Cedars and at Chestnut View, with prices from £360,000.

Designed with a high specification, the apartments are spacious in size, light and well planned. Featuring fully fitted kitchens, bathrooms complete with white sanitaryware and quality chrome fittings, these stylish homes also include fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom and a classic limestone fireplace in the living room. All properties are fully accessible for wheelchair users and residents with mobility impairments. To ensure residents’ peace of mind all apartments have video entry and fire alarm systems, as well as monitored security throughout the village.

Situated within 3 miles of Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, St George’s Park is well located to take advantage of good local shopping including major supermarkets and excellent rail links to Brighton, Gatwick Airport and London Victoria.

Prices for currently available properties at St Georges Park start at £320,000 for a two bedroom apartment. For further information, visit stgeorgespark.co.uk.