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Retirement housebuilders are providing more facilities and imaginative activities than ever before. JANE SLADE sources some of the best developments<\/p>\n
At Bishopstoke Park village(anchor.org.uk<\/a>) in Eastleigh, Hampshire, (one-bed apartments from \u00a3345,000), cheerleading has been added to the fitness timetable.<\/p>\n \u201cOur village\u2019s cheerleading squad, the Bishopstoke Belles, was formed last year when our walking football team played another local club,\u201d explains Sandra McCove, Anchor\u2019s Bishopstoke Park village manager.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the help of our wellness staff, the ladies coordinated their routine and practised regularly in the activities room in the weeks before the big game between the home team and Eastleigh FC. The Belles performed at half time which spurred our players on to win.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ladies are hoping for another match to be scheduled soon once the weather improves, and already have some ideas for their next routine.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents from three Churchill Retirement developments in Dorset (churchillretirement.co.uk<\/a>) \u00a0teamed up and recorded their first single just before Christmas \u2013 and at LifeCare Residences\u2019 Grove Place in Hampshire, (one-beds from \u00a3295,000) owners are learning falconry and archery.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only is regular exercise key to a longer and healthier life, it is also proven to have a positive impact on mental well-being,\u201d says Nick Sanderson, CEO of Audley Villages.<\/p>\n \u201cEach Audley Club is home to a Health Club, swimming pool and fitness studio, where owners are able to try out a variety of classes\u00a0such as Zumba or Pilates.\u201d<\/p>\n Nancy Jordan had never done any exercise before buying her two-bedroom apartment at Audley St George\u2019s Place(audleyvillages.co.uk<\/a>)in Edgbaston last year. Now aged 86, the widowed hotel owner, is addicted to the gym. \u201cI go to half hour classes four days a week and I use the running and cycling machines,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel much better for it even though I have asthma. I don\u2019t use a walking stick and don\u2019t want to. It is also very sociable and having the gym just down the corridor and a nice young instructor called Tom to help us makes it easier.\u201d<\/p>\n Activities also extend to using outside space as the more adventurous residents of Platinum Skies\u2019s part-buy part-rent Monterey development in Christchurch, Dorset have discovered (platinumskies.co.uk<\/a> ). \u201cBeing a coastal town, some of our residents are keen to enjoy a wealth of water-based pursuits,\u201d says Lifestyle manager Alison LeClerc. \u201cIncluding sailing, rowing and even kite-surfing!\u201d<\/p>\n Older people need to exercise their minds too following a recent study that revealed that memory loss accelerates rapidly after retirement.<\/p>\n Lizzie Philpott,\u00a0Head of Activities, at Richmond Village Letcombe Regis has introduced creative challenges to stimulate owners. (Richmond-villages.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re a very creative community,\u201d she says. \u201cWe host Art Weeks where our residents exhibit their work. Last year they did a wonderful iPad art piece and this year we\u2019re thinking about a garden sculpture.\u201d<\/p>\n A new addition to Renaissance Village\u2019s Millbrook\u2019s fitness menu is Tai Chi which combines movement with meditation.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it is the mindfulness aspect of Tai Chi which makes the difference with other types of exercise and has attracted older people.\u201d says Angus Clark who teaches a 90-minute class at the Exeter village once a week. (one- and two-bed properties priced from \u00a3339,950 millbrookvillage.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0)<\/p>\n