STRAWBERRIES and Pimms were served at a special celebration.
A garden party was held at Abbeyfield House, an independent sheltered housing scheme in Knutsford.
It is the first time residents have been able to enjoy a summer get-together since before the pandemic.
Families and friends joined deputy mayor Cllr Jan Nicholson and representatives of various community groups for the event, usually held every year.
READ > Dog exercise business in Knutsford faces legal challenge
The deputy mayor proposed a toast to the Queen and planted a crab apple tree to support Her Majesty’s Green Canopy, to mark her platinum jubilee.
Abbeyfield was founded in 1956 to provide companionship, care, practical support and peace of mind to older people.
The registered charity now has more than 700 schemes across the UK.
The purpose built house in Knutsford opened in 1989 and is run by staff and a group of enthusiastic volunteers known as the Friends of Abbeyfield.
Eleven residents have their own en suite bedsit with a kitchenette and can live independently and come and go as they wish.
Two homemade meals are prepared every day by a resident housekeeper and served in a shared dining room.
Retired Catholic nun Pat Scory has lived in the Bexton Road house since 2016.
“I just love it,” said Pat, 88. “I’ve got my own little flat. I love being here.”
Pat, a Passionist nun, worked with poor families in crisis in Birmingham before serving on the missions in Africa.
“I lived in Ghana and worked with a medical aid charity that to care for people with diabetes.
“I used to go out to clinics with medication.”
Pat retired when she was 79 and has nothing but praise for her Knutsford home.
“When you’ve worked hard all your life to come here is just wonderful,” she said.
“The food here is just beautiful. We have two cooks, our housekeeper Dee Handley and an assistant so there is a lovely variety, it’s like home from home.
“All we do is provide breakfast. All the big shopping is taken care of.
“It’s lovely to have company at meal times.
“We are so fortunate as everyone gets along.”
Treasurer Jane Cartmel, a trustee for six years, paid tribute to dedicated staff, for looking after residents so well.
Due to their diligence, the house as so far remained Covid free.
Various community groups including the Lions, CVS, Tatton Garden Society and Friends of Abbeyfield attended the party.
Friends of Abbeyfield host a coffee morning on the first Tuesday of every month for residents, relatives and friends.
Anyone interested and new volunteers are welcome to attend.
For more details call 01565 632719 or email info@abbeyfieldknutsford.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here