Country Images Magazine South Edition March 2017 | Page 72

Launch of a new show apartment at luxury retirement village .

Launch of a new show apartment at luxury retirement village .

The new retirement village for Derbyshire which will be fully open later this year , is having an open day on Saturday 18th March , 10am – 2pm , to launch their new 2-bedroom show apartment . Richmond Aston-on-Trent , situated in rural South Derbyshire yet with easy access to junction 24 of the M1 , promises to provide the ultimate in retirement living with facilities you would expect to find at a 5-star hotel . “ Richmond Aston-on-Trent is going to be a very special place to live and will be unlike any other retirement development in the area ,” explained Alison Harding , the Senior Village Adviser at Richmond Aston-on-Trent . “ Our clients are downsizing from large 4 or 5 bedroom properties so they still want good living spaces but less bedrooms . All Richmond Village apartments have generous sized living spaces but just one or two en-suite bedrooms . The fully fitted kitchens boast granite work tops , Neff eye-level ovens and hob , and Bosch dishwasher and fridge freezer .”
The beautifully appointed apartments aren ’ t the only reason the retirement village has been so popular . The on-site facilities situated in a Village Centre includes a restaurant , private dining , bar , café , residents lounge , library , activities room and shop . As well as this the retirement village has its very own Wellness Spa which includes a swimming pool , Jacuzzi , steam room , gym , exercise studio , hair salon and beauty treatment rooms . No wonder demand for properties at this luxurious development has been so high ! “ It ’ s not just the well-designed apartments and fantastic facilities which have attracted our buyers ,” continues Alison , “ it ’ s also the on-site services which we offer . Once fully operational we will have in the region of 150 people working here . These include hospitality , housekeeping and reception and of course , the 24-hour on-site care team . Our aim is to help improve our residents ’ lives . For example , we will have our very own drivers and a small fleet of vehicles providing regular trips . These can be anything from shopping trips , to trips to local places of interest .”
The retirement village will also ensure you have a full and varied social diary via their very own events and activities team . They organise a wide range of events designed around the interests of the residents . This can include anything from bridge clubs to summer festivals . Property prices range from £ 295,000 to £ 555,000 . Other charges do apply and further information of these as well as details of the open day can be obtained by speaking to the Village Advisers on 01332 895702 . For further information about Richmond Aston-on-Trent visit www . richmond-villages . com / aston

TALK ON LIFE TALK ON LIFE TALK ON LIFE TALK ON LIFE Not even a free coffee !

On a recent speed awareness course I was surprised to see the difference it can make between stopping your car at 30 or 35mph . The extra distance covered with that extra 5mph is quite amazing .
I tried to equate that with how fast some managed to get to the coffee at the half time break . Some went at speed bumping into the back of others who were not going as fast and tried to overtake them at the nearest corner or through the door . Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone coming up fast behind me heading for the gap near the bar in front of me . A slight move to my right skilfully blocked the way causing a collision with the pillar for the said party . Aha , so wing mirrors do work ! Coffee rage was ruling - and we had to pay for it after shelling out £ 94 for the privilege of the course . Obviously the first half of the course had taught us all nothing - speed is of the essence when it comes to coffee . Hang the danger !
I ’ m not saying I ’ m an expert on speed now but I learned that even an extra 2mph can be the difference in not hitting someone or causing severe injury . Lots of things passed through my mind on this course . On my speedo you can ’ t fit a Cadbury ’ s chocolate finger between 30 and 35 which makes it difficult to gauge your speed . Someone ’ s suggestion was cruise control , but have you tried using that in a built up area ? Being aware is a lesson for us all .
One of the biggest problems highlighted by most on the course was ‘ lack of concentration ’ or the “ I ’ ve been driving a long time and I know best how fast I can go in a certain area ”, attitude . You could put that down to arrogance if you like but experienced drivers do tend to do this . Times though are changing with speed cameras and mobile road safety units everywhere , so the ‘ I know best ’ attitude will cost you dearly . Points can tot up quickly and insurance companies can put premiums up the more points you have , some people can even lose their jobs , especially driving instructors .
As with every course there is always an expert who has an answer for everything which bodes the question ‘ if you ’ re so clever how come you got caught speeding ?’! Again it ’ s human error . Interestingly , out of a group of twenty four , 90 % were men . So it ’ s one up to the girls there .
The other revelation was that it is permissible for cyclists to ride two abreast and weave in and out . I admit to struggling with that one and would prefer to follow a caravan any day than two cyclists enjoying a good chat whilst avoiding drains and potholes ! Apparently two cyclists equal the width of a car . On the plus point if they are far enough apart you can see between them and get a picture of the road ahead and overtake safely . Motorcyclists seem to have more accidents in proportion to cars . Obviously the motorcyclist would blame the cars and the car driver likewise . It relies on both parties going back to the original reason for accidents - lack of concentration .
None of those on the course wanted to be a danger on the road and were attentive , involved and even gave their own experiences , some quite emotive where family members being involved were concerned . Speed can kill , especially in rural areas . Motorways it transpires , despite the high speed , are possibly the safest places to drive because we are all going in the same direction . Following too closely is the main danger here hence the amazing extra distance you can travel that I mentioned earlier .
Not wanting to apportion blame here but I feel car manufacturers could help us . My speedometer goes up to 160 mph . Why ? I ’ m not allowed to do it anywhere except Silverstone and I ’ m not sure I ’ d try it there either in my car . Making the speedo more akin to current road speed limits would help me immensely . Get rid of 160 , 140 and 120 altogether and spread the rest out . Or just have one great big number on the dial showing your speed . I may go into car design soon after I ’ ve had the rest of this black coffee !
How did I know Ford were going to do it ?
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