Western News: October 22, 2019

12 Tuesday October 22 2019
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
WESTERN NEWS
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Woodcote resident charmed by a friendly
village and gorgeous gardens
Nell Riordan, a proud townhouse
resident at Ryman Healthcare’s
Woodcote Retirement Village,
loves the community spirit and
easy access to shopping areas
from her home.
She has been in the village
for nearly three years and has
a neatly adorned living and
kitchen area that leads out to
beautiful paving and a very wellmaintained
private garden.
Given her hands are arthritic she
no longer drives, but she does
keep a mobility scooter in her
garage for easy trips down to The
Hub Hornby and other services in
the area. As an avid reader she is
happy that the village van makes
regular trips to the library as well
as other outings further aeld.
She lived in Rolleston then in
Wigram, with her family, before
her daughter let her know about
the option of townhouses at
Woodcote. She loved that when
she moved in the townhouse had
been completely refurbished and
that the garden was ready for her
to make her own mark.
“People are surprised how
spacious it is. We’ve got a big
pantry and everything that goes
with it, including a dishwasher
and oven. I still bake because I
can. I share the baking with the
kids usually – the family.”
She says she also loves the
easy access the village provides
to family and friends who want
to visit. Her daughter and
son, Donna and Matthew, who
both live in Christchurch are
frequent visitors.
She also has just had a visit
from her younger sister, who lives
on the West Coast, where Nell
was born. She was only a tot when
she and her parents moved to
Little River, the beginning of her
life in Canterbury.
She and her husband, Michael,
who passed away 10 years ago,
went on to raise a family and
also enjoyed living in Nelson
Nell enjoys her private garden at Woodcote Retirement Village.
for a period before returning to
Christchurch.
Nell found it a bit lonely being
by herself in her Rolleston
home. But since her arrival at
the village she says she hasn’t
looked back. She has made
plenty of friends and enjoys the
regular Happy Hours where
she can have a wine or beer
with good company.
Nell also enjoys participating in
Triple-A exercise classes, part
of an activities programme that
residents can choose to join in.
She likes a cup of tea before she
begins and says the tness
programme is sometimes busy
enough that she contemplates
another cup of tea afterwards.
Triple A is run by instructor
Carol, who has other talents,
Nell says. Every now and
then Carol runs a cooking class
where everyone brings ingredients
and joins in re-creating the
latest recipe.
Nell likes the open spaces in
and around Woodcote. She enjoys
the fact the village gardener
keeps her private garden space
looking nice, so she can relax. She
also received new paving in the
garden space.
“I usually sit out there (in the
garden) because it gets the sun.
I put my sunglasses on and read.
I do read a lot.”
The landscaped gardens stand out
at all times of year but particularly
in spring and summer when the
owers are blooming, and the
leaves have just unfurled.
The village amenities include a
library, dining room, lounges,
indoor bowls, pétanque court and
hair salon. There are also outings
and occasions for the residents to
enjoy. “We’re like a big family here
really, because we’re a relatively
small village.
“The staff are excellent. We’ve
just been on a trip to Hanmer – we
had a lovely day. We’ve also been
on the train to Kaikoura, and had
a meal. We go out a lot.”
Village Manager Liz Hampton
says Nell has been happy to
show off the village to prospective
residents. She has helped
with some lifestyle anecdotes
when regular Sales Advisor
Susie Alayne was asked if
someone is able to talk from a
resident’s perspective.
Retirement living
and care at its best!
Townhouses • Serviced apartments • Resthome care
To enquire about availabilities please
phone Susie on 03 338 7696
29 Woodcote Ave, Hornby