Elaine and Richard

Richard and Elaine have never been afraid of a house move. During more than 50 years of marriage, they have lived in Derbyshire, Essex, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, South Yorkshire, Tenerife and Cheshire, with each move reflecting a new stage in their lives.  

Their latest move, to Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme in October 2025, was prompted by a desire to simplify life, enjoy more freedom to travel and make a move that would support them for years to come. 

Richard said: “We’ve always tried to make decisions positively rather than waiting for circumstances to make them for us. Looking back, some of our biggest moves felt daunting at the time, but they’ve usually (but not always) turned out to be the right ones.” 

 

From early beginnings to a life together 

Richard grew up in Derbyshire, while Elaine is from Rotherham. They met when they were young, Richard was 19 and Elaine was 18, on a night out in Sheffield. 

Richard said: “I remember it very clearly. I wouldn’t say I got everything right that night, but something clearly worked.” 

Elaine laughed: “We still talk about it now. It wasn’t the smoothest beginning, but it was the start of something special.” 

They became engaged within three months and married 10 months later in 1972. 

 

Building a life and moving with it 

After a short time living with Richard’s parents, they bought their first home, a small cottage, but it wasn’t long before the first of many more moves. 

Richard said: “I was working for the county council at the time, and an opportunity came up in Essex, so we moved. I think we both knew fairly quickly it wasn’t right, so we moved again.” 

From there, life took them to Beverley in Yorkshire, where they spent three happy years and welcomed both their children. Further moves followed, to Hertfordshire, and into Industry, for Richard’s career in training and development, and then to Cambridgeshire, where he made the decision to go self-employed. 

“That was probably one of the bigger decisions,” Richard said. “But it felt like the right one.” 

Elaine balanced part-time work with the most important job of raising their children, particularly as Richard’s work involved a lot of travel. 

Later, they returned to Rotherham, settling into a larger family home where they stayed for 14 years – one of their longest periods in a single place. 

“That was the house the children fell in love with” Elaine said.  

 

A life of opportunity, at home and abroad 

As their careers and circumstances evolved, so did their lifestyle. At one point, they bought a holiday home in Tenerife, which eventually became something more permanent. 

Richard said: “We realised I could work remotely, so it seemed like an exciting opportunity to spend more time there.” 

That decision turned into 14 years living in Tenerife, across three different homes. Alongside Richard’s consultancy work, they also invested in property developments, buying plots of land, overseeing builds and selling completed homes. 

“We had some wonderful years there,” Elaine said. “We met lots of people and enjoyed the lifestyle, but eventually I started to miss being closer to family and friends.” 

In 2014, they returned to the UK, partly prompted by a moment that made them reflect. 

“The Icelandic ash cloud was a big thing for us,” Elaine said. “We were both stuck in different countries at that time, and that made me realise how far away we were.” 

From there, they settled back in the UK, moving a few more times before their most recent home – a bungalow in Church Lawton. 

 

The moment that changed everything 

Although they had been happy there, it was an unexpected accident that became the real turning point. In 2025, Elaine tripped and fell in the garden, breaking both of her elbows. 

Richard said: “It was one of those things – a simple trip, but it had a big impact.” 

Elaine added: “The garden had little hazards – edges, curbs – and I just caught one of them. I was rushing back to Richard because I was worried about him being up a ladder in the loft. Afterwards, it really made us think.” 

Alongside that, there were other considerations. 

“It was quite a large garden,” Elaine said. “And although we had help, it was still a lot to manage.” 

Richard admitted: “I’ve never been much of a gardener, so it was really Elaine’s domain. But it had become too much.” 

They also felt increasingly isolated. “The bungalow was in a cul de sac so there were days when we wouldn’t see anyone,” Elaine said. “It was quite quiet where we were.” 

 

A timely opportunity 

 Shortly after, some information about Adlington Retirement Living came through the door. 

Richard said: “I just said, ‘Shall we have a look?’ It wasn’t something we’d been actively considering before that.” 

Elaine added: “I wasn’t convinced at first. We both felt we were quite young to make such a big decision – we’re only in our early seventies.” 

But their thinking shifted. 

“We realised it made sense to do it now,” Richard said. “We’re only 73 and 74. We’d much rather make the move while we’re active enough to enjoy everything it offers than leave it until we have to move.” 

 

Finding the right home 

When they first visited Brookfields House in June 2025, one apartment immediately stood out. 

“It was the view,” Elaine said. “As soon as we saw it, we loved it. Looking out over the trees from the balcony is beautiful and it changes throughout the seasons.” 

 Richard agreed. “We kept coming back to look at the same apartment. We said if we were going to move, it had to be that one.” 

The spacious layout was another attraction, with two bedrooms and a separate dining room giving them plenty of room for visiting family and friends, but it was the outlook that ultimately made the decision. 

“The apartment feels very light and airy,” Elaine added. “But it was definitely the view that sold it to us.” 

They sold their bungalow and moved in October 2025. 

 

Doing the sums and feeling reassured 

As with any major decision, they looked carefully at the financial side. 

Richard said: “I did a full spreadsheet of everything we were spending before versus what we’d spend here. It worked out at about £2,000 a year more, but when you factor everything in – maintenance, gardening, water – it’s actually very reasonable.” 

Elaine added: “And you get so much more for that here. You also have the on-site team available on hand if you need anything, the restaurant is really good and that’s subsidised.” 

They also spoke to their children. 

Richard said: “We wanted to make sure they understood the charges and the Communal Facility Fee – the percentage from the eventual sale of the property. They were completely supportive. They said, ‘Don’t worry about any of it. We’re all fine. Just enjoy your life.’” 

 

A lifestyle that works 

Since moving, Richard and Elaine say the difference has been immediate. 

“We felt at home straight away,” Elaine said. “And excited – which is a lovely feeling.” 

They’ve enjoyed making the apartment their own, decorating and furnishing it exactly how they want. 

“We like starting fresh,” Elaine said. “After so many moves, you realise that’s sometimes the best way.” 

Although semi-retired, Richard still supports the consultancy business now run by his son and enjoys one-to-one coaching and counselling work. In 2020, he also published a book, An Ordinary Man: 50 Miles from Home – A Leadership Journey, reflecting on the experiences and lessons from his career. 

“Writing it gave me the opportunity to look back on some of the people who influenced me and the decisions that shaped my working life,” Richard said. 

The couple spent their first few months putting their own stamp on the apartment, replacing the fireplace, redecorating and making a few changes to the kitchen and bathroom. 

“We enjoy creating a home,” Elaine said. “Rather than trying to make everything fit, we chose furniture we really liked and made the apartment exactly how we wanted it.” 

 

Freedom to enjoy life 

One of the biggest changes has been the freedom to travel. 

“We’ve always loved going away,” Elaine said. “And now it’s so easy.” 

Just before their move they enjoyed a holiday in the Maldives. Since moving to Brookfields House, they have visited Dubai and spent four weeks in Lanzarote, as well as enjoying shorter breaks in Devon and Southport. 

Their travel plans are far from slowing down. A villa holiday in Sicily with their daughter is already booked, alongside trips to Kefalonia and the Isle of Wight, and they are planning another five-week stay in Lanzarote next winter. 

Richard said: “The ‘lock up and leave’ aspect is huge. You just go, and you don’t worry.” 

 

Community, convenience and support 

They’ve also embraced the social and practical benefits. 

“The restaurant is fantastic,” Elaine said. “The quality of the food is excellent and there’s always plenty of choice.” 

Richard added: “It’s very popular. On Sundays you have to book. We enjoy the themed evenings too. Sometimes there’s entertainment, sometimes special menus and you can take your own wine.” 

The couple particularly praised chef Linda and all the wider management team. 

“The staff are excellent,” Richard said. “Mike, Claire and everyone else work incredibly hard. They’re there when you need them, but they don’t interfere. They get the balance just right.” 

Elaine particularly values the sense of community. 

“If Richard is away with work, I can just go downstairs for a coffee and there’s always someone to talk to,” she said. “Everybody is very friendly and welcoming.” 

One of their favourite occasions since their move was celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends. 

“We had a lovely meal downstairs, went back to our home and then went down to meet other owners in the coffee lounge before watching the fireworks from our balcony,” Elaine said. “It was a really good night.” 

 

Everything on the doorstep 

Richard and Elaine have also been pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy the location. 

 “Newcastle-under-Lyme is a lovely town,” Elaine said. “There’s so much within easy reach.” 

Richard regularly walks across the nearby footbridge into Lyme Valley Park, where he enjoys watching local football, rugby and cricket matches. 

“One of the things we like most is that everything is within walking distance,” he said. “You can walk to the hospital, the GP surgery, shops, restaurants and the park. We use the car much less than we used to.” 

Although there is a popular walking group at Brookfields House (the Lyme Valley Leggers), the couple, with all their travels, haven’t joined them but have often headed out together to explore the local area. 

 

A place to share with others 

Friends and family have also remained a key part of their new life. 

“Our daughter, son and daughter-in-law have stayed, and two of our sisters and friends have stayed too,” Elaine said. 

The guest suite has proved particularly popular. 

“My sister actually preferred staying in the guest suite rather than our apartment,” Elaine laughed. “She said it meant there was no extra work for me because she could look after herself completely. It was ideal.” 

Richard added: “It’s encouraged people to visit more often because it’s so convenient. We actually stayed in the guest suite ourselves for a few nights before our apartment was ready.” 

 

The right decision at the right time 

Looking back, both Richard and Elaine are clear about how they feel. 

“We’re delighted to be here,” Richard said. “Really, it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.” 

Elaine agreed: “It’s given us freedom, peace of mind and a lifestyle we genuinely enjoy. We can travel whenever we want to, spend time with family and friends and simply get on with enjoying life.” 

 For a couple who have made many moves throughout their lives, this one feels different. 

“This isn’t just another move,” Richard said. “This is the one that’s right for where we are now, and for the future.”