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Nottingham Resident Up on the Village Roof

3rd November 2008

After climbing up scaffolding to lay an engraved tile on the 100 foot high roof of Nottingham's Lark Hill Retirement Village, 78 years-old Beryl Russon admitted it took her back to her schooldays.

Explains Beryl: "My father and his five brothers all worked in the building trade and as a child during school holidays I used to put on his cap, make tea in a billy can and take it up on the scaffolding for the lads who were building. Mind you it was never as high as the Village roof."

Beryl, who will be moving in to the Village with her husband Jeffrey when it opens next year, says: "Laying the tile was a fantastic experience and the views were brilliant. The ceremony made my year and I was also thrilled when I was given an engraved tile to keep and a huge bunch of flowers."

Joining her for the topping out ceremony were Councillor Graham Chapman, Deputy Leader of the City Council, Mich Stevenson, President of Lark Hill Village Appeal and John Graham, Managing Director of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

Before the tile laying, Councillor Chapman addressed guests, including potential residents.  He said: "Schemes like Lark Hill restore the community, cement friendships and create a sense of belonging."

John Graham said the Village offered an opportunity for them all to change the image of ageing. "It is an opportunity for you to invigorate your life, try new things and meet new friends."

The £49m scheme will provide 327 affordable homes, a host of health and leisure facilities and up to 24-hour care support. The Village centre can only be provided through charitable funding and ExtraCare has set up a £500,000 local appeal to support its development.

Mich Stevenson told guests they had started with a challenge and now have £165,000 to raise. "We are going to get there and we are going to provide a fabulous Village Centre," he said.

Beryl says she and Jeffrey, who is disabled, can’t wait to move in. "The care for my husband will be important and I hope he will be able to use the gym and chat and make friends with other villagers.

"At the same time I will be able to take part in many of the activities, sing in the choir and also help in the Village shop," says Beryl who was once a keen cyclist and has worked out that she and Jeffrey covered 30,000 miles each on weekend runs and holidays in various parts of the country.

Village applications are open to older people who live in Nottingham or have a strong local connection, who are over the age of 60 (55 in exceptional circumstances). Applications are particularly welcomed from people who think they may need assessed care support either now or in the future. For more information phone 0115 940 6349.

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