Mayor joins the party at Woodforde Court
Sheltered housing scheme celebrates anniversary
RESIDENTS of a sheltered housing scheme got a visit from Hillingdon’s mayor and mayoress last week.
George Cooper and his wife Judith Cooper met with tenants of Woodforde Court to celebrate the first anniversary of a merger with Harrow Churches Housing Association (HCHA).
One of the residents, 94-year-old Connie Hancock, is partially deaf and exchanged notes with the mayor, while the mayoress chatted to Alan Emo, Ted Tinson and Dorothy Barlow, the latter having lived on the estate since 1970.
Mayor Cooper said: “It’s a pleasure to visit this quiet and peaceful neighbourhood set in the lovely surroundings of the 16th century St Peter and St Paul Church.
“You would never think it was situated next to Heathrow Airport!’
HCHA board member Dick van Brummen told the gathering: “I think that the residents of the former Harlington Rectory Housing Association have felt that the merger was the right decision and are pleased with the transition to HCHA.”
The high-powered couple visited tenant John Best’s studio apartment, to see for themselves the typical quality of accommodation provided in the scheme for older people.
Mr Best explained that due to ill health he downsized from a three- bedroom home to the more manageable independent studio apartment, in Woodforde Court, seven years ago.
He said: “This place suits me fine. It’s easy to clean, it has an adapted bathroom and if I need help there’s an emergency pull cord that provides assistance 24 hours a day.”
Suzanne Smith, intensive housing coordinator at Woodforde Court, said, “It was lovely to see all the residents come together for tea and welcome the mayor to mark our first anniversary.”