Life begins at 50 for new residents at The Forge

Popular culture has it that ‘life begins at 40’. Well, try telling that to Kevin and Carol Foy, who decided to start a new life in a new George Wimpey home, in a new location at the age of 50.

Kevin had worked in the same Stoke-on-Trent business for 22 years and wife Carol faced redundancy in October with the poignant closure of the world-renowned Wedgwood factory in nearby Barlaston.

So when Kevin found a new job with Autocraft Accident Repair Centre, one of the country's leading auto body repair specialists, the young grandparents decided to make a new start in Telford, in particular at George Wimpey's The Forge.

The sought-after development forms part of Ironstone, a new sustainable village community at Lawley comprising four distinct neighbourhoods and offering a bustling social hub, classical architecture, open spaces and a host of local facilities.

Having been introduced to the location by Kevin's new boss, Matthew Fielding and his wife Nicola, the couple were immediately impressed by the quality and variety of the homes on offer and opted for a superb 'Bourton' four-bedroom link-detached home.

“We like a lot of space,” laughs Kevin, appreciating that not many couples opt to upsize into a four-bedroom home after their children have grown up!

“But seriously, having four bedrooms gave us the flexibility to create exactly the type of living environment we wanted.”

The couple use one bedroom for themselves; have converted another into a room for three-year-old grandson Izaak, who often stays at weekends; turned a third into a guest room and use the fourth as a dressing room.

Adds Kevin: “Once we decided on the ‘Bourton’ it was a case of trying to move as quickly as possible, so we took advantage of George Wimpey’s part-exchange programme.

“They made an offer for our old house and this speeded up the whole process. With me trying to settle into a new job at the same time, the last thing we wanted was to get involved in the hassle of a slow-moving chain – or even run the risk of not selling our home at all – so the part-exchange offer was a superb option for us.

“It made everything so easy and at every stage the George Wimpey staff have been incredibly helpful. We never felt pressurised and they really do bend over backwards to make moving home a pleasure.”

The Foys love the fact that the homes at The Forge have their own individual styles, with the development carefully laid out so residents don’t feel as though they are all living in the same types of homes.

“We like the fact we look at our house and it isn’t exactly the same as our friends’ and neighbours’,” adds Kevin.

New homes at the development enjoy a high standard specification including gas central heating, double glazing and fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob and hood.

The community has been carefully designed to integrate a range of new facilities, which, upon completion, will include its own central square with designer shops, trendy wine bars and eateries, a mixed-use village centre and a primary school, as well as a wide choice of affordable homes.

The Forge is well-served by existing and new public transport links and commuters will appreciate that the M54 and M6 are a short drive away.

Telford – the largest town in Shropshire – lies less than three miles from the development and is home to a vast array of leisure opportunities, including a large shopping centre and the accompanying town park, a large cinema, bars, cafes, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Further information is available by visiting the new Sales Centre, located off Arlestone Lane, Lawley, and open seven days, from 11am to 5pm.

Alternatively, information on George Wimpey developments across the region is available by visiting the web site at georgewimpey.co.uk.