Home was fit for a returning hero
Major found peace in the Borders after 17 moves
AFTER living in 17 military houses around the world, Major Gerry Akhurst sought a stable home in a calm town in which to spend his retirement. The career soldier found his sanctuary in Eden House, a tranquil Victorian villa which overlooks the pretty Roxburghshire town of Jedburgh.
Perhaps the property’s peaceful presentation can be traced to the fact that it was once owned by the church and later became a home for nuns.
Originally built as two houses in 1893, Eden House was knocked together in the 1960s to create an outstanding six-bedroom period property that lends itself beautifully to the requirements of modern-day living.
Only the split-level landing and twin staircases belie the building’s previous separation.
Fine Victorian craftsmanship is immediately evident on entering the house, the tiling of the entrance vestibule providing the warmest of welcomes.
Two of the four reception rooms boast bay windows overlooking the front garden and offer intricate cornicing throughout.
The four bedrooms on the first floor are well proportioned but it would be difficult to find a more spacious or luxurious family bathroom.
The black-and-white tiled floor has underfloor heating, adding that touch of decadence when you step out of the bath or shower.
Two further bedrooms are located in the former attic space.
Should you ever tire of the internal aspects of this house – and that’s unlikely – you need only turn to the panorama outside to quickly gladden the soul. Mr Akhurst says: ‘From left to right, you can catch the whole town, the abbey and the new town jail (not now used and only a couple of hundred years old), the parks, and off to the horizon the hills and the English border.
‘It looks curiously medieval from our bedroom, enhanced by the pink spire, which is not a church but the older – no longer used – jail.
‘It was referred to as the Tolbooth in previous times, handy for the sheriff court next door, which is still used.’
No matter how well properties were built in the 19th Century, it takes a lot of work and rolling maintenance to get them looking this good in the 21st.
Mr Akhurst adds: ‘It has been an article of faith that we maintain the fabric of the house and in our quest to do so we have acquired a list of excellent supporters, local highly skilled painters, joiners, chimney sweeps, just wonderful people who take great pride in their work.
‘We have no definitive favourite room, the study is glorious in winter snuggled up for afternoon tea, opening the curtains in the morning to welcome the sunrise over the hills opposite and on a cold wintry morning having warm toes on the heated bathroom floor.
‘Our adult children remain hugely attached to Eden House and for us that says it all.
‘It is a special house – when just two of us are at home it fits around us snugly but expands easily when full of family and guests. It welcomed all during the weeks around our daughter’s wedding.
‘In the winter, having a roaring open fire and relaxing with friends, what could be better?
‘There is a warmth to the place that immediately welcomes you.’
In an active life, serving in the Falklands War and several tours of Northern Ireland, Mr Akhurst has enjoyed a varied career.
Since then he has appreciated the relative peace and quiet that this delightful town has provided for the past 17 years.