A COUPLE who have been married for 53 years have signed up for the next chapter in their lives – after signing up for a home in a new retirement complex.
Terry and Mary Wilkins, from Woodley, have reserved a two-bedroom dual-level apartment off-plan from Renaissance Retirement at the company’s Fleur-de-Lis development in Wokingham.
The new retirement development on Wiltshire Road has seen 23 homes snapped up before the site is open.
And the Wilkins said they’re glad they are one of the first to reserve. Launched in February, more than 75% of the apartments have now been sold.
For the Wilkins the first steps to a move started a year ago when the couple decided to downsize from their large four-bedroom house with family garden.
Terry said: “We’ve been looking for the right place for a year or so. With no family close by, we were looking for a development near to where we currently live so we can remain close to friends.
“It was visiting the Renaissance development at Haywards Heath that really sold it to us – the quality of build, the style of furnishings and the space were all first class. We were there five minutes and turned to each other and said: ‘We could definitely move into a Renaissance apartment!’
Mary added: “The way we look at it is, we are buying a luxury apartment with benefits. We are thrilled with our apartment and the additional lifestyle of retirement living.
“We have 40 years of memories in our current house and we are now ready to build new ones at Fleur-de-Lis Wokingham.”
Terry and Mary have enjoyed a full and active life. He started his career with the police and ended up with a high flying corporate marketing and business position at 3M where Mary previously worked.
After taking early retirement in 1997 Mary and Terry ran a consultancy for two years helping distribution businesses develop their strategies. Thereafter Terry devoted much of his spare time, as a volunteer, helping build the Thames Valley Police and national police support volunteering team.
In 2012 he was awarded an OBE for his services to the policing. He is now the Thames Valley Police Ambassador for Citizens in Policing.
Matt Smith, Renaissance Retirement’s sales director, added: “We are delighted Terry and Mary decided on Renaissance – I’m sure they will really throw themselves into retirement living with lots of energy.”
The popularity of the Wokingham site has exceeded expectations. Matt added: “We anticipated that it would be popular; we’re very pleasantly surprised to sell over 23 apartments in three months.
“It’s probably some sort of record in the retirement sector.”
Prices range from £360,000 for a one-bed to £680,000 for a two-bed mezzanine.
For more details, visit www.renaissancegroup.co.uk or call 0800 625 0026.
