Gloria and Peter

Gloria and Peter: A new rhythm of life at Broadleaf House 

When Gloria and Peter Powers opened the door to their new Broadleaf House apartment in December 2024, they were swapping the demands of a four-bedroom bungalow and an enormous garden for a spacious first-floor apartment and a ready-made community. In Gloria’s words, they were starting a new chapter that, “feels like being on holiday” every day. 

From ballroom steps to family steps 

Both Gloria and Peter were born in Birmingham, growing up in neighbouring areas. They first crossed paths at a ballroom dancing class when Gloria was sixteen and Peter was nearly nineteen. Although they had both arrived with a different partner, the friendship flourished.  

Engagement followed on Gloria’s nineteenth birthday, and they married in March 1966. 

Gloria worked in purchase ledger for an accountancy practice, supplementing her income with weekend and evening jobs in a jeweller’s and a sweet shop. Peter followed his father into the gas industry, rising to senior supervisor with the West Midland Gas Board and travelling widely across the region. 

Their first home was a semi-detached bungalow in Four Oaks, secured in 1965 but not moved into until the wedding day “because in those days you simply did not move in together beforehand”.  

Children soon expanded the household: Dean arrived in 1968, Wayne in 1970 and Natalie in 1974. Every promotion and each new baby prompted another move, always to a bungalow. The final house, bought in 1978, was a generous four-bedroom property with a double-depth garage. They remained there for forty-six years. 

Travel, health scares and changing priorities 

Early retirement gave the couple the freedom to travel. They towed a touring caravan across Europe. “We drove down through Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Germany before finding a lovely place in Italy that drew us back time after time,” Gloria says. Later they continued the journeys by car, until health concerns made travelling overseas less appealing. 

Peter had open-heart surgery in 2018, followed by recurring skin cancer that demands he stay out of strong sunshine. Gloria suffered a strangulated bowel while in Spain and required emergency surgery. “The hospital staff were absolutely magnificent, but I got a bit nervous then about going abroad.” 

Back home, the bungalow, with its vast lawn, four-car garage and steep loft ladders, was becoming a burden. Gardeners could mow the grass, but no one could lessen the isolation of a private cul-de-sac ten minutes from the nearest bus stop.  

First thoughts of leaving, and a leaflet on the doormat 

The original plan was to move south, near their daughter’s holiday apartment at Highcliffe-on-Sea. Two potential purchases fell through because their own house was not yet on the market, and over the winter their daughter-in-law urged them to stay local, so help was close at hand if needed. 

One afternoon, while driving past what had once been the old Wylde Green pub, Gloria noticed a new community being built: Broadleaf House by Adlington Retirement Living. A leaflet soon dropped through the letterbox and curiosity won. Gloria persuaded Peter to pop in to have a look. “As soon as we came through the door, I knew instantly, I just felt, yes, this is the place for us to be,” says Gloria.  

Peter’s thoughts on the move had been less enthusiastic at first. “For me it wasn’t on the radar at all,” he laughs, admitting that the word “retirement” summoned images of old people and “We’re young at heart”. 

To reassure him, they toured an ordinary flat and an older retirement scheme in the area, which was much more like Peter’s preconceived idea of retirement living. The comparison convinced Peter that Broadleaf House was completely different. 

Their son Dean’s first reaction after seeing Broadleaf House supported that view: “It’s a very nice apartment block and then the communal areas and staff make it feel like it has a smart hotel attached”. 

Finding the right apartment 

The couple switched their reservation three times before settling on a three-bedroom home at the front of the building. Morning sunshine pours in and “if ever I’m not so mobile, I’ll still be able to see a bit of life going on, people waiting for the bus, mums pushing prams, dogs being walked,” Gloria says. 

Decluttering decades 

For years Gloria had been quietly thinning their possessions, but the cavernous loft above the garage remained untouched. “It just keeps on coming,” she joked as sons Dean and Wayne heaved down forgotten carpet rolls, scrap metal and children’s toys. Once the space was clear, Peter’s anxiety about moving lifted. 

The bungalow went back on the market and sold within a week; both sale and purchase completed in under six weeks. After the furniture van unloaded at Broadleaf House, the couple honoured a pre-booked break in Norfolk, “exhausting but worth it,” Peter reflects. 

First night peace of mind 

The new apartment immediately felt like home.

“Our first night, it was just so lovely,” Gloria says. “It’s so safe. First of all, you’re one floor up, then you’ve got your fob security, then you know there are staff here twenty-four hours, it’s a completely different feeling”. Sitting on their balcony with morning coffee, Gloria often tells Peter, “It feels like I’m on holiday, it really does”. 

Family still centre stage 

The extra bedroom means Natalie can stay overnight, grandchildren can join her, and visiting friends can book the guest suite. Gloria converted the third bedroom into a study, while a deep cupboard became an airing room with shelves built by Peter. 

Seven grandchildren drop in regularly and one of them, Louisa, is now the appointed beautician for Broadleaf House, offering manicures and massages in the onsite therapy suite.  

A readymade community 

Gloria has established a Broadleaf House WhatsApp group that acts as an informal noticeboard. “I try to send a ‘what’s on’ message each morning,” she explains. Recently she organised a day trip for eight neighbours: “We went by coach to Nottingham, had a roast dinner and a three-hour cruise on the Trent. It was really, really nice”. 

Wednesday is film day. “We just say, if you want to come, meet at half past ten at the bus stop,” she smiles. On Thursdays the couple join a seated exercise class: “It’s exercise where you’re sitting in a chair. Designed to keep you moving and keep your muscles and joints going”. 

Peter, who previously shied away from clubs, has found unexpected confidence. “Our family cannot believe how he’s come out of his shell.”  

Counting the pennies, and sleeping soundly 

The thought of service charges may worry some would-be movers, but Gloria has a straightforward formula. “The balance from what you sell to what you buy, you invest it, and it produces the money you need to pay for the service charges,” she says, and the energy efficiency of their new apartment means the electricity bill is “surprisingly reasonable”. 

Advice for anyone hesitating 

“Firstly, the peace of mind, knowing there’s someone on site twenty-four-seven, you’re not alone,” Gloria stresses. “The community atmosphere here is first rate”. Peter’s message is simple: “We like it here, we wouldn’t go back,” he says. “Move while you are fit enough to enjoy it,” Gloria adds, “because the lifestyle is worth every penny”. 

Looking ahead 

As Gloria’s eightieth birthday approaches, plans are underway for a full-scale party at Broadleaf House. Relatives will mingle with neighbours in the homeowners’ lounge, raising a glass to a landmark birthday, six decades of marriage and to a future that looks brighter than ever. 

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