Some only just about pass muster with local housing inspectors. Peter and Patty Cockburn, two of the village's newer arrivals, freely admit they would have been almost destitute had they not been offered housing here three years ago. Three years ago, "all we had was a single suitcase between the two of us," said Mr Cockburn, 79, a former agricultural economist who spent more than 50 years in Zimbabwe.
As British citizens living in Zimbabwe, the Cockburns saw the value of their pensions virtually disappear overnight, wiped out by spiralling inflation.
With little chance of finding work at their age, they took the difficult decision to leave, and in booked a one-way flight to London. They couldn't even afford to ship their belongings over, Mr Cockburn recalled. Looking out of her window at the deep snow outside, year-old Patty Cockburn says she can't believe how fortunate they have been: "To be able to live in a house and feel secure is a wonderful feeling. We've now found a place where we're happy to live out the rest of our lives.
Further down the hill, past a parking lot with row upon row of mobility scooters, Hetti Hyndman has been living out the so-called "rest of her life" for more than four decades now.
She arrived at Whiteley Village in and greeted her th birthday last month with champagne. Still insistent on getting up to greet her visitors, she remains an astonishingly active centenarian. My favourite was running the pub. Mrs Hyndman is one of five current Whiteley residents who has a telegram from the Queen sitting on the mantelpiece.
Another 81 residents are less than five years away from the big Two weeks ago the villagers put on their own Burns Night.
Mr Roycroft believes that being surrounded by people is the key to a longer and happier life, and says more needs to be done to make sure the elderly are not left on their own. I can honestly say that loneliness is the number-one killer for the elderly. People literally lose their will to live once they're on their own. Mr Roycroft concedes that the timing of the village's fundraising is not ideal, but believes that even in the midst of recession the trust can raise the money needed to bring the cottages into line with modern standards.
While some are saying that times are tough, others recognise that it's exactly during these downturns that the elderly need our help more than ever. The founder of Whiteley Village was born in Yorkshire to a prosperous corn dealer. William Whiteley travelled as a young man to London for the Great Exhibition of , an inspiration for him. But in January Whiteley was shot outside his office by a man who claimed to be his illegitimate son.
His murder shocked society but led to the creation of Whiteley Village. In fact, quite the opposite. Their only income is their state pension. The first resident, Eliza Palmer, was given her keys in Today funding comes partly from the state through housing benefit paid to residents.
Other cash is raised from hiring out playing fields and facilities, including the indoor pool, in the village. What can you contribute? In the UK the population over 65 is projected to increase by more than 40 per cent by to over 16 million.
I hope to spend the rest of my life here. I feel happy and that definitely has a positive impact on my health. Stunning Whiteley Village where all residents are pensioners. The undoubted lesson of Whiteley is that it is possible to create a socially stimulating and safe environment in which older people can enjoy a longer retirement in peace and comfort Les Mayhew.
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