Sheltered scheme celebrates 20th anniversary

Merlin Housing Society has thrown a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of its Staple Hill sheltered housing schemes.

Residents at Hawthorne Gardens tucked into cake and enjoyed a sing-along with entertainer Richard Price to mark the scheme’s birthday.

Among the residents celebrating was 94-year-old Inez Shephard, who moved into Hawthorne Gardens two weeks after the scheme opened in 1989 and has lived there happily ever since.

Inez, whose family pop in to see her every day, said: “It was very good and I enjoying singing along with all the songs. I was the second person to move into the scheme and it was another six weeks before anyone else moved in on my floor. I have made lots of friends over the years and have enjoyed living here from the day I moved in.”

Support advisor Deirdre Price said: “We had a really good turnout for the party and the residents all had a great time and now want to hold more events like this.”