Portsmouth News

Retirement living residents’ first birthday ‘party’

Milestone celebrated with socially distanced event in communal lounge

- By BELINDA DICKINS The News belinda.dickins@jpimedia.co.uk

RETIREES in Purbrook enjoyed an afternoon to remember as a retirement living developmen­t celebrated its first birthday.

Shilling Place residents joined the McCarthy and Stone team in the developmen­t’s communal lounge to mark the milestone with a socially distanced celebratio­n.

Attendees enjoyed cakes and a glass of fizz, with everyone raising a glass to toast a successful first year living at Shilling Place, and to the new at found the developmen­t. friends they have made

Gail Close, house manager who helped organise the birthday celebratio­ns, said: ‘It’s been an uncertain and challengin­g time for us all over the last few months, so it was wonderful that restrictio­ns were lifted enough for us to be able to celebrate this important first anniversar­y at Shilling Place, albeit at a distance. ‘Our residents have remained optimistic and never lost faith, which shows just how resilient and strong they are. We all had a brilliant time being able to finally catch up and enjoy a glass or two together. We look forward to being able to have lots more fun as a community for many more years to come!’

In March this year, a plaque was unveiled at the developmen­t to honour the building’s namesake, aeronautic­al engineer Beatrice Shilling OBE, who was born in Waterloov6­0s, a communal esigned Shilling for Place lounge, the features land- over scaped gardens and many properties also include patios or balconies. A hotel-style guest suite is available for visiting To find family out more and phone friends. 0800 3100 383 or visit mccarthyan­dstone.co.uk/shilling-place

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Shilling Place’s house manager Gail Close with residents of Shilling Place as they celebrate its first birthday
BRILLIANT TIME Shilling Place’s house manager Gail Close with residents of Shilling Place as they celebrate its first birthday

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