Go Green for retirement joy
WHEN advertising copy writer Brian Hinnett took early retirement at the age of 65 to move to the south of France he began living a life that many Brits can only dream of. Teaching English on the French Riviera in almost year-round sunshine and indulging his love for painting made for an idyllic lifestyle.
“I had always loved the creative side of copywriting, playing with words and images; and I had always loved to paint,” he says. “So when I retired I decided to move to Nice in the south of France to follow in Vincent van Gogh’s footsteps. I loved the idea of speaking French, getting inspired by the landscapes – and the weather is unbeatable.”
But seven years later he was hit by ill-health and a falling exchange rate. “I started to have less and less mobility,” he says.
“At first I tried to get medical help in France but I could afford very little. You have to have private medical insurance for everything – they simply don’t offer the same service for free like the NHS.”
Brian decided it made financial sense to return to the UK where, thanks to the NHS, he was soon back on his feet. But when he reached his 80s his mobility declined further and he was forced to think carefully about where he wanted to live.
“I wanted to keep to the West Country to remain close to home,” he says. “I had spent 20 years of my married life in Farnborough, near Bristol.
“My son also still lives in Cheltenham, so it made sense to move to Wadswick Green.”
The retirement village in Wiltshire has been developed for over-60s and is only 10 minutes’ drive from Corsham and 30 minutes from Bath.
It is also close to Somerset and the Bristol Channel coastline. As well as improving Brian’s health, returning to Britain meant he was closer to his expanding family: “I didn’t have any grandchildren when I moved to France, so that’s also partly why I moved back to the UK – I wanted to see them grow up.”
And Brian has found living in his two-bedroom apartment at Wadswick Green much more sociable than France: “I really enjoy it,” he says. “There’s a real sense of community.”
“I never saw my neighbours in Bristol during my working life, and in Nice a lot of the surrounding flats were second homes which were left empty most of the time.
“Everyone lives here at Wadswick Green, so the neighbourhood is very lively. I also really like that there are all sorts of people – couples, single people, all of various ages. The rule is you need to be over 60. So some of them are over 20 years younger than me!”
And because of the range of activities available at Wadswick Green, from swimming in the spa, where there’s also a gym and sauna, to joining in clubs set up by the residents, Brian has been able to return to painting.
The village’s new phase, Almond Close apartments, are now available to buy and will be launched on February 15 for those wanting to see the showhome.
The luxury one, two and threebedroom apartments are built around a landscaped courtyard and every flat has a balcony or terrace. Prices start from £335,500 for a one-bedroom flat (01225 583500; wadswickgreen.co.uk).
Brian says he has gained independence from living at Wadswick Green, where he has two mobility scooters – off-road and everyday versions – to get about. “I can go wherever I like,” he says.
“It’s really convenient and allows me to use all the amenities here, like the on-site restaurant and even the hairdresser!”