Orchard House Celebrates 25 Years By Taking a Walk

Residents and staff of Drum Housing Association’s extra care sheltered housing scheme, Orchard House, celebrated the scheme’s 25th anniversary at the Alton Hotel on Wednesday 20 December. Guests included The Mayor of Alton and past employees, some of who joined Orchard House when it first opened. Orchard House Scheme Manager, Maxine Ford, made a three-tier cake to mark the occasion.

Orchard House residents recently organised a sponsored walk in the run up to the 25th anniversary to raise money for Shelter. Their target was to walk around the building and complete 25 miles, a mile for each year.  Over 50 residents turned out for the event, the oldest participant was 94. They smashed their target, walking over 30 miles (330 laps of the building) and raising valuable funds for Shelter.

Residents were entertained at The Alton Hotel, by a variety of performers, where the entertainment including live music from 11 year old Aimee Mackenzie, a budding young star who has won local talent competitions and performed live on radio. Delta FM also attended the event with Delta DJ Paul Le Feuvre on the turntables.

Senior Scheme Manager, Nick Bottriell, said, “Everyone has been very excited about our anniversary. There is always a friendly, warm atmosphere at Orchard House and people really enjoyed getting together for the celebrations. There is a great spirit among our residents, many have been with us for a long time and have built strong friendships.”

Orchard House has 87 flats, providing safe and comfortable homes for older people and those with disabilities. The scheme first opened in 1981 and has provided a safe and comfortable home for hundreds of local people.

Orchard House combines independent living with a wide variety of services including a lunch club and a support laundry service. The scheme runs a computer club to help residents understand and make use of the Internet and software packages. Hairdressers and chiropodists visit regularly and there are plenty of communal areas where residents can find company. The Orchard House Residents Association & the Social Club arrange social events and outings, which are enthusiastically attended. There is also a regular keep fit session for residents and the wider community, which is extremely popular.

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For more information please contact
Nick Bottriel Orchard House 01420 85952
Mike Blatch Oyster 07787 573071