60 happy years from war-time romance to fun-filled retirement

Jackie and Tom Hoppen have plenty to celebrate: a happy marriage that has lasted for 60 years and a whole new life with new friends at McCarthy & Stone’s Vyeson Court retirement development in Queen Street, Ramsgate.

And while they have had their share of blessings over the years, the couple say that buying a flat at Vyeson Court two years ago was the best move they ever made.

Tom and Jackie first met during the War at Army HQ in Kensington, when Jackie was a driver in the ATS and Tom was in the Army.

They were married in Wood Green, London, in 1947 and sixty years on, they are looking forward to celebrating their Diamond Wedding with a whole community of new friends at Vyeson Court.

Jackie, 81, said: “We moved to Ramsgate from the Wirral 10 years ago to be near our daughter, Carole, and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carole works for McCarthy &Stone and talked us into having a look at the company’s development in Sittingbourne. We fell in love with the concept immediately, and when McCarthy & Stone started building Vyeson Court we decided to come here.

“It’s the best move we ever made. What we most like is having lots of people around us. Where we were living before in Dumpton, Ramsgate, we found that it could be very quiet. At Vyeson Court everybody is very friendly and we always celebrate things here so our Diamond Wedding party should be great fun.”

Vyeson Court is specially designed for people of 60 and over who enjoy an independent lifestyle. Among the shared facilities is a lounge where residents can get together for tea and coffee and where social events are held.

The development also has a laundry room, a lift to all floors and a landscaped garden; and all these facilities are maintained by a service team.

The lack of maintenance was also a big attraction for Tom and Jackie when they decided to move to Vyeson Court.

Jackie said: “We were finding the bungalow too large to look after properly and the garden was too much as well. At Vyeson Court everything is much easier.”

The individual apartments at Vyeson Court are low-maintenance and easy to clean; and there are thoughtful touches like glow-in-the dark light switches, lever-operated taps and power sockets at waist height.

Security is a top priority, with a 24-hour personal emergency system installed in each apartment, and video security at the main entrance, which can be accessed via residents’ own TV sets.

Apartments at Vyeson Court are priced from £133,950. For further information, visit mccarthyandstone.co.uk.