Date:
On Monday 27 November, staff and residents were invited to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of Hartfields as well as the opening of the brand new coffee shop. Hartfields was officially opened by the HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO on 18 November 2008.
Since its opened Hartfields has been a home to over 800 residents. It is a thriving community where residents enjoy many activities and social events.
Over the last 15 years, residents and staff have shared many happy memories together including celebrations for special occasions such as a street party for the Queens Platinum Jubilee and the Kings Coronation.
To celebrate the anniversary, guests toasted the residents who have lived at Hartfields and staff who have worked there for 15 years.
The event was held in the new coffee shop which opened to the local community on Wednesday 29 November. The coffee shop provides tasty homemade food as well serving Costa Coffee.
Charlotte Hope, General Manager said “What a wonderful day it has been today celebrating the 15th anniversary of Hartfields and sharing fond memories with a number of staff who have worked here, and residents who have lived here from Hartfields opening back in 2008. It has been a privilege watching Hartfields grow over this time into the wonderful community it has become, and I am very grateful to be a part of this. The day was even more special as it was twinned with the opening of our new coffee shop which now proudly serves Costa Coffee. A huge thank you goes to our residents and staff teams for making this such a success. We look forward to seeing residents enjoying their new coffee shop whilst welcoming the public into the community from Wednesday 29 November so please do come and visit us.”
George Wood, Chair of the Hartfields Management Committee and residents - Mary Fletcher and Marilyn Caygill proudly opened the coffee shop to guests during the celebratory event.
George Wood, Chair of the Hartfields Management Committee, reflected on the celebration of 15 years since the first residents moved in. He said “Hartfields has always attempted to stay attached as part of the local community which has changed and grown significantly in that time. There have been many challenges in those 15 years, but residents have always played a part in shaping the future. Today the new coffee shop was officially opened, a facility that has had strong resident input in the planning and which we hope will be embraced and used by the local community.”
Kate Thompson MBE, Head of Extra Care & Interim Housing Lead from Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) also attended the event and commented “It's been a great pleasure to celebrate the 15th year anniversary of Hartfields retirement community, this community has grown from strength to strength in that time and this is all down to the commitment from our teams who work at Hartfields and the residents that call Hartfields their home. ”