Park Lodge celebrates its silver anniversary with happy memories and a refurbishment

29th November 2007

South Somerset Homes Extra-care Sheltered Housing Scheme at Park Lodge celebrated its Silver Anniversary on Wednesday 21st November with a brand new refurbishment of individual flats and communal areas.

Park Lodge was the first extra-care sheltered housing scheme in the south west and was opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent in 1982. Whilst making history in the nineteen eighties, the original building has seen many changes in over a century of existence and has been home to many different residents from a private family Victorian residence through to the United States Army during the Second World War and subsequently the Girls High School. Park Lodge was originally built in an area formerly known as Ram Park. The development of the area reached completion in 1897 with the Mayor of Yeovil, Sidney Watts, purchasing the remaining land which he laid out as formal gardens, now known as Sidney Gardens. This now provides a delightful outlook for the present day residents of Park Lodge.

The beautifully refurbished dining room hosted cream teas and cakes for the residents, guests and representatives of SSH’s partner contractors Connaught who carried out the recent improvements. The refurbishment of individual flats and communal areas including the very comfortable new residents lounge will only enhance the reputation of Park lodge.

Margaret Russell, Scheme Manager of Park Lodge said ‘The celebration has been great for the residents to fully enjoy the improvements with a celebration. It’s been fantastic to hear residents reminiscing over their experience of Park Lodge including the opening from the Duchess of Kent.’

David Mansfield, Director of Housing said ‘The event has been a tremendous success and is a fitting tribute to celebrate the 25 year landmark. I’m sure that the newly refurbished residents lounge will host many more memorable times in the future.’

Far right David Mansfield celebrates the refurbishment of Park Lodge with residents and scheme manager Margaret Russell