Cornwall has the world at its feet

THERE’S an unexpectedly international flavour at Tregolls Lodge, Churchill Retirement Living’s first development in Cornwall. Since opening last summer the apartments have attracted several retirees who have made their lives in Britain after moving from overseas.

Els Garvin from Holland, Vivienne Adams from Uruguay, Lora Turner from Switzerland and Marie-Louise Hurtel-Hymans from South Africa are all happily settling into their apartments in Truro.

Lora moved to the UK aged 19 to work as an au pair, then a nanny in a hotel and orderly in Epsom Hospital, where she met her husband Terry.

“I dreamt of moving to this country from a very young age. I loved all the classic novels which first inspired my love of England,” says Lora, who moved to Tregolls Lodge with Terry after relocating from their threebedroom bungalow in Bodmin.

“Our pride and joy was our garden but in recent years both this and the house were becoming too much to maintain so we visited Tregolls Lodge to take a look around,” she explains. “Soon after, we put our house on the market and ended up buying a one-bedroom apartment here.”

The couple love the sociability of living in a retirement community and lead very active lives: “We’re the sort of couple who like to keep busy so this is perfect for us as there’s always something to do here,” says Lora.

“Our lodge manager, Cheryl, is wonderful and works so hard on everyone’s behalf. Moving here was a

Friendly

huge step for us but we’re very happy that we did so.”

Vivienne Adams arrived in Britain at the age of 25, married and had a family. But when her husband died she decided to leave their Land’s End home and was the Lodge’s second resident.

“My two daughters are close by and I wanted to be nearer to the centre of things,” she says.

“The location is lovely, perfect for travelling about on a bus or train and there are also some wonderful walks. Everyone’s extremely friendly here.” Els Gavin moved from Holland 17 years ago to be near her children, who had emigrated to Cornwall, and since arriving at Tregolls Lodge she has made plenty of new friends.

“I like to have company and wanted to move to a retirement community where I could be around other people,” she says.

“I’ve settled in very well since moving. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and I’m enjoying life here. There’s plenty to do and I’m very pleased I moved.”

There are 59 one and two-bedroom apartments at Tregolls Lodge, which offer owners safe and independent living close to essential amenities such as shops, cafes and restaurants.

Designed exclusively for over-60s, the flats have fully fitted kitchens with fridge-freezers and ovens at an easy-to-reach height.

There are other small touches such as illuminated light switches plus security camera entry systems and a 24-hour emergency call system.

One-bedroom apartments are on sale from £188,950 and two-bedroom flats from £355,950 (01872 46428; churchillretirement.co.uk).