St George’s Park promotes grow your own
Growing your own produce, whether its fruit, vegetables or flowers, brings great satisfaction to many people, so when it’s time to think about downsizing it’s not just your home but your garden that is affected. With more and more people recognising the benefits of self-sufficiency, council waiting lists are getting longer and longer for renting an allotment. It could be months if not years in some areas, before you could get your fingers green again.
However, at St George’s Park in Ditchling, East Sussex, they are only too aware of the value of offering their buyers of the two bedroom apartments, the opportunity of an allotment. “Not only does it provide a sustainable food supply, but it also offers a healthy activity for people of all ages, as well as acting as a good way of getting to know people” comments Philip Smith, Sales & Marketing Director, St George’s Park.
So when John Smith (87) and his wife Dot moved into their apartment, this was top of their list of reasons to buy.
“We used to pass St George’s Park on our way to the local garden centre and decided to take a look around. The rural location with its lakes, fields and farm animals was so appealing and then, when we found out that there was a chance we could have an allotment, we didn’t look back.” John comments.
John continues: “For the majority of my working life I have been a Glass House Nurseryman, so getting my hands dirty was something I couldn’t just give up on. During our 55 years of marriage we owned a Florist and several green houses, cultivating flowers and cuttings for mail-order and sale. We enjoyed great success and built a strong reputation for our Florist’s shop and were privileged to be asked to make a bouquet for the Queen when she visited Haywards Heath.”
John adds: “We chose to buy an apartment at St George’s Park which not only overlooks the fields from one window, in the dual aspect lounge, but also the allotments from the other window. When Dot was alive we used to grow flowers and vegetables but now I just grow vegetables, which I love doing. Not only does being outdoors give me fulfilment but I really enjoy the social side of being part of a group with the same interests as me. We arrange friendly gatherings and have lunches and BBQ’s together during the year.”
“I am thoroughly enjoying my retirement at St George’s Park. My days are filled with running the library, getting together with friends for lunch in the restaurant, playing bowls and snooker or just sitting back and doing a jigsaw. Part of my job as Librarian is to sort out the donated books and take any not required into town on the St George’s Park village bus to the local charity shops.”
“Although I don’t have much spare time to spend in my lovely apartment, when I do get a chance, I really enjoy sitting back and taking in the wonderful views from my windows. Everyone is so friendly and accommodating, and there is a real community spirit,” concludes John.
Currently available for immediate occupation are just two 2 bedroom apartments in Birch Walk, which are available from £345,000, whilst prices at The Cedars start from £360,000.
The superbly designed kitchens combine both simple elegance and functionality, whilst the bathrooms are complete with white sanitary ware and quality chrome fittings throughout. The living room includes a classic limestone fireplace with slate hearth and electric fire, whilst the master bedroom has fitted wardrobes. Additional features include energy efficient gas central heating, surface mounted multiple spotlights to the kitchen, hallway and bathroom and additional down lights in the kitchen.
For peace of mind St George’s Park has ensured that all apartments come with monitored security, video entry and fire alarm systems.
For those not wanting to cook, there is an excellent restaurant in the retirement village, whilst the concierge is there to help with any queries or requests. There is also a well-stocked convenience shop, a multi-function gym, a hairdressing salon, treatment suite, games and snooker room, a library with IT and internet service, bowling green and croquet lawn.
Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill are just 3 miles from St George’s Park, offering good local shopping including major supermarkets and excellent rail links to Brighton, Gatwick Airport and London Victoria.
For further information on St George’s Park visit stgeorgespark.co.uk.
