Court Profile: Minster Court - Retirement Security

MESSAGE - from the Chairman
It is now nearly two years since Margaret, my wife
and I moved to Margaret Court, the latest Retirement
Security development, in Tiddington, Stratford on Avon,
which is only about a quarter of a mile from our very
first development, Tiddington Court.
This inevitably leads to comparisons between the two
and it is gratifying that all of the essential features have
stood the test of time, designing to mobility standards,
having a daily meal available, adequate staffing and
above all, the Owners’ Company, which is intended
to guarantee that the interests of the Owners comes
first, while still recognising that the staff need proper
conditions of service.
In terms of design, the major change which was
introduced almost as soon as Tiddington Court was
built is that most of the apartments should have two
bedrooms and that a meeting room on the ground
floor is essential. The one issue which has eluded us
so far is the optimum design for the office(s), to give
the Manager privacy when needed, but still ensure that
he or she is in close proximity to the Duty Managers.
Electric buggies were rare in 1985, but we are now
fully aware of their storage and charging needs.
Without underestimating the importance of design and
all of the physical features of the Courts, it took only
a few days residence for me to understand that these
are nothing more than the foundations of what makes,
or mars a happy life in Margaret Court.
The first intangible is the quality of management, which
like the buildings is most successful when it is least
noticeable, but if the finances don’t work or the staff is
restless then it is almost impossible to ensure that the
quality of life is optimised for the Owners.
Fortunately, the evidence seems to be, that with some
unfortunate exceptions, which are inevitable when
human beings are involved, the administrative model
which was first introduced at Tiddington Court, has
stood the test of time.
I think that everyone would agree that administration
needs constant review and understandably this has
largely pre-occupied both the RSL staff and the
Managers in the Courts, but it has become more and
more obvious to me that while this is an essential
foundation, much more is needed if Owners are to
enjoy their lives to the full and this is where I believe
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that we need to concentrate in the future, while
ensuring that other standards do not slip.
So much more is possible. One thing in which
everyone has an interest is food but I grieve that
Courts which have a catering facility use their kitchen
for no more that 3-4 hours a day, when the link
between food and drink and social life is so
well understood.
As a rule of thumb, the best Courts are those
which have the most parties. I have been to some
memorable parties at the Courts over the years and
look forward to many more, but so much more can
be done.
At Margaret Court, it is difficult to get through the
door without being offered coffee or tea and delicious
home-made biscuits, about which my only complaint
is that they have spoiled my taste for shop biscuits.
The sense of welcome which it conveys is one of the
features of which is most appreciated by the Owners
and their families. Long may it continue.
My own main recreational interest is in music and
after two years we are still only scratching the surface
of what is possible. So far this year we have had the
Stratford Gilbert and Sullivan Society, two piano
recitals and later this week we have the Italian-theme
dinner to be followed by a concert, all for £10 a head.
In October, as part of the Stratford music festival, we
had a recital by Craig Ogden, a world-class guitarist,
but even this does not equal the wonderful concerts
which Greyfriars Court, in Lewes, arranges each year
by the Glyndebourne Opera Chorus.
These are no more than my personal experiences
in what I know is a bewildering array of activity
throughout the Courts, but I still believe that there
is so much more that is possible, in painting, playing
games, gardening, which is so far a sad disappointment
at Margaret Court, but we are working on it and hope
to emulate the success of Tiddington Court which last
year won the Stratford in Bloom competition.
We can only fulfil our potential if we can engage the
imagination of all Owners in ensuring that everyone
can live their life to the full. That is what I have learned
from my two years’ residence.
Bob Bessell - Chairman
RSL - Annual
General Meeting
Make a note in your diary. Retirement Security’s
Annual General Meeting has been set for 2pm January
25th 2012 at the Lansdowne Club, Fitzmaurice Place,
London. As usual there will be a buffet lunch before
the meeting.
Our Chairman gives shares to every RSL Court to
ensure that our Owners can be kept informed about
the Company’s progress and send representatives
to the AGM. Every Court can send their Chairman,
or another director, and the Court Manager at RSL’s
expense.
The meeting will include a presentation of the
statutory accounts by our Auditor, presentations by
the Company’s management team and an opportunity
to ask questions and debate the Company’s progress.
The Mayor Visits
Oaktree Court
Debbie Brock the Mayor
of Milton Keynes visited
Oaktree Court on
Wednesday 27th April
2011 at the invitation of
Court Chairman Luing
Cowley who was himself
the Mayor in 1985. Debbie
spoke to 20 or so Owners
at the coffee morning answering questions and telling
us various stories about her time in office. She read
out a delightful poem for the Royal Wedding that had
won the local under 12 school competition and had
been sent to Will & Kate as part of the official Milton
Keynes Council wishes of goodwill.
Picture is of the mayor
(Debbie Brock) and Luing Cowley
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Contents
1 Message - From The Chariman
2 RSL-Annual General Meeting
- The Mayor Visits Oaktree Court
3 Chief Executive’s Report
- National Art Competition
4 Court Spotlight
5 Charity Work
6 Blake Court’s Charity Champions
- 5 Star Performances
7/8 Gardening Competion 2011 Winners
9 Ashby Court Poker Nights:
- Strictly Come Dancing
- “Knit And Natter” At Deerhurst Court
10 Birthday Parties
11 Priory Court’s Very English Events
- Eileen’s Retirement
12 If Only He Had Known……….
13 The Royal Wedding
- Priory Court Royal Wedding Itinerary
- Thoughts From Bushmead
14 - Tannery Court
- Plymouth Court
- Elizabeth Court
15 - Blake Court
16 - Gorselands Court - Greyfriars Court - Blundellsands
17 - Wedding Bells At King Richard Court
18 - King Richard Wedding (Continued)
19 Back Page Break - Crossword
Call 01789 292 952
Web www.retirementsecurity.co.uk
Email courtcircular@retirementsecurity.co.uk
Write CC Editor
18 Wood St, Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire CV37 6JF.
Court Circular is published by Retirement Security
Ltd with close involvement and contributions from
Owners and Court staff across the country.
This publication is available as an audio tape.
One copy is normally available at each Court.
If your Court does not have a copy please contact
us to request one.