Residents celebrate a year of living at Purbrook retirement development named after Waterlooville inventor Beatrice Shilling

Shilling Place residents joined the McCarthy and Stone team in the development’s communal lounge to mark the milestone with a socially distanced celebration.

Attendees enjoyed cakes and a glass of fizz, with everyone raising a glass to toast a successful first year living at Shilling Place, and to the new-found friends they have made at the development.

Gail Close, house manager who helped organise the birthday celebrations, said: ‘It’s been an uncertain and challenging time for us all over the last few months, so it was wonderful that restrictions were lifted enough for us to be able to celebrate this important first anniversary at Shilling Place, albeit at a distance.

‘Our residents have remained optimistic and never lost faith, which shows just how resilient and strong they are. We all had a brilliant time being able to finally catch up and enjoy a glass or two together. We look forward to being able to have lots more fun as a community for many more years to come!’

In March this year, a plaque was unveiled at the development to honour the building’s namesake, aeronautical engineer Beatrice Shilling OBE, who was born in Waterlooville.

Designed for the over 60s, Shilling Place features a communal lounge, landscaped gardens and many properties also include patios or balconies. A hotel-style guest suite is available for visiting family and friends.

To find out more about Shilling Place, phone 0800 3100 383 or visit mccarthyandstone.co.uk/shilling-place

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