A rosy life for keen gardener in Braintree

The properties at the stylish retirement village of Meadow Park in Braintree, Essex have become very popular with those looking to downsize and with only three units remaining available this could be your last chance to move into this fantastic development.

The community at Meadow Park is an active one, with plenty of social clubs, events and day trips for residents to enjoy; it's all there for perspective buyers if they choose. So whether you prefer life in the fast lane or life in the slow lane, there is almost definitely something for you.

Being part of the Meadow Park community has provided award-winning gardener Norman Sharp, aged 76, with a new lease of life. Norman moved from his family home to the development when his 300 ft garden had become too big for him to manage, after his wife died a few years ago. His daughter, who lives nearby, had suggested he come to look at two cottages and two hours later he had put a deposit down.

"For 45 years I grew and showed fruit and vegetables and judged at Essex shows", he says. "I finally got top prize at the annual RHS show at Westminster, so I decided to stop while I was still winning". Norman is now enjoying gardening again in his courtyard garden, where he grows all sorts of vegetables including cucumbers, runner beans, onions and potatoes, and when he has some spare time he uses his award winning skills to help his daughter in her garden.

Meadow Park is East Anglia's very first retirement village, situated on the edge of Braintree and is Hallmark's biggest development to date. "It has been more successful than we had ever imagined it would be", says Hallmark Developments' Chief Executive Stephen Everington.

All of the homes are stylish and secure from fully fitted units and integrated appliances to energy efficient electric heating, taking any worries away. For added peace of mind there is a warden call/24-hour Careline system fitted within each home, with push buttons in each room and mobile pendants, and, upon final completion of the development, a video entry system enabling you to see who is calling before giving access.

"Meadow Park really is the ideal place to settle down into retirement. With a village community of its own, an overnight guest suite for family and friends who come to visit, and all of the amenities you can imagine needing, there really is everything you would need in one place", says Lisa Shiell, Connells New Homes Manager.

For further information on the 2 one bedroom apartments priced from £124,995 and the two bedroom bungalow priced at £265,000, contact Connells Braintree at braintree@connells.co.uk.