Maura and David

Maura and David’s New Chapter: Community and Support at The Newells

After more than six decades together, Maura and David moved to The Newells in Kempston in March 2025. For them, it was a decision shaped by health, family and the desire for a simpler, safer way of living.

From pen pals to partners

Maura was born in Bray, County Wicklow, “a seaside town,” she said. “During the war I came to England with my family.” David grew up in East London. “Clapton, in Hackney,” he said. They met because of David’s sister. “We worked together at Zurich Insurance,” said Maura. “David had just started national service, and she asked me to write to him.”

They began as pen pals in 1959. “I was in Cyprus, at Famagusta,” said David. “Signals intelligence.” He laughs at Maura’s gloss on the role. “‘Spy’ sounds dramatic, but he spent all his time playing cricket.” They exchanged letters for fifteen months.

When David came home, they finally met at his parents’ house. “It wasn’t arranged, but we met, and of course he instantly fell in love with me,” said Maura. “True enough,” said David. “We’ve known each other about 65 years and been married 61 of them.”

After they married, they moved for work. “We had a one-bedroom flat above my parents’ house in London,” said David, “but then I got a promotion, and we moved to Fareham in Hampshire, between Portsmouth and Southampton.” Maura was working too. “Accounts in a welding company,” she said. After five years they went to Crowborough in East Sussex for seventeen years, and then to Leighton Buzzard, where they stayed for four decades.

Careers, passions and a family business

David’s early career was in sales and marketing. “In multinationals, the higher you go, the greater the pressure,” he said. “Once I’d achieved what I needed to, I got bored. That’s what happened with my last company.” Maura, meanwhile, had discovered a niche with ergonomic seating. “She introduced Scandinavian kneeling chairs into the UK,” said David. “One of her customers was The Back Shop in the West End. The owners were getting on and asked Maura to manage it.”

David joined her. “I resigned and worked there for a month. Within days I saw ways to improve it, and together we made the London shop a success.”

They decided to open their own operation in Birmingham. “We called it the Total Back Care Centre,” said David.

Sport has always threaded through their life. David played football and cricket, even a spell at Queen’s Park Rangers before national service. “Only for two years,” he said. “When I came out, I thought I could earn more in business, so I didn’t pursue it.” Their three grandsons are football mad. “Two are qualified referees. One’s at an American college, another at Milton Keynes College, and the youngest just finished his GCSEs.”

Letting go of a lifetime home

By the time they reached their eighties, Maura and David had been in the same Leighton Buzzard house for forty years. “A very nice large four bedroom detached house with a big garden,” said David. “We only began thinking about moving a year or two ago. I couldn’t do the painting anymore. My knees are shot to pieces from sport. Maura has a heart condition. My fear, particularly in the last six months before we moved, was that one of us would fall down the stairs.”

For Maura, the house was much more than bricks and mortar. “I loved my house, my home, my garden. I was perfectly happy, but my health was deteriorating. David’s health had taken a real blow. He wanted to move. I did not, but I could see all the reasons why one should. Our family also thought we’d be safer if we moved. So, I went along with it.”

Maura found it difficult to part with many of her belongings. “Every ornament, every plant, everything you created. I love books. They’ve all had to go. Paintings had to go. Jewellery wasn’t so bad, but sorting through 80 years of memories was hard. China, ornaments, photos, kids’ books. We gradually emptied the loft, the garden, and every room.”

Finding the right fit

Proximity to family shaped the search. “We looked at a lot of retirement communities in and around Milton Keynes because two of our children and five grandchildren are there,” said David. “We quickly realised the large communities, with 200 apartments, just weren’t for us.”

The Newells felt different. “This place offered space,” said David. “We were used to space. It has a classier feel. It’s a smaller community, about sixty apartments. Everything felt like a better standard of living, from the waitress service restaurant to the lounges.” Maura liked the choice and the layout. “We returned several times to view different apartments.”

They surprised themselves by choosing a one-bedroom apartment. “Our original idea was to go for a two-bedroom apartment,” said David. “But Maura said, ‘If we have people, there’s a guest suite’, and we’ve used that a lot.”

Maura explains. “We needed two spaces because I don’t want to watch football all day, and David doesn’t want to watch gardening shows. A second bedroom would have become a junk room. This one-bedroom apartment is spacious. The kitchen is larger and open-plan. So you’re not locked away when you’re preparing a meal. You’re communicating.”

David is unequivocal. “I’m delighted. I wanted it.” He ticks off what matters. “Lifts and no stairs. Someone here 24 hours a day. You can press a button and get help.”

Their first week threw them straight into the value of that support. “I woke in the middle of the night and thought, ‘Where is he?’” said Maura. “I found him stone cold on the floor. It was a severe urinary tract infection. I covered him with blankets and warmed him up. He started to come round, but I knew he needed to go to hospital.

“The duty manager came up, stood with me while we phoned the ambulance and guided me through it. It was the assurance I needed. I’d been through it twice on my own in Milton Keynes. Here I was exhausted from the move. I was immensely grateful for the people here. Not for heroics, just for being there so I wasn’t alone.”

Settling into community life

The support continued. “Two homeowners immediately offered to drive me,” she said. “I have a car, but I don’t know Bedford. Where the hospital is, where to park. I had enough to worry about. Someone to take me made a huge difference.” David spent three or four days in hospital while doctors ruled out sepsis and treated the infection. “It’s unlikely to happen again,” he said. “I’ve since had a prostate operation.”

The day-to-day rhythm suits them. “Most of the homeowners are professional people,” said David. “There’s a standard of civility. They’re pleasant to be around. That includes the staff. I always try to get a smile from people. They all smile easily here. Even at the end of their shifts, no grumps.”

Maura adds: “If you’re looking for friendship, it’s sociable and welcoming. We get along with everybody. Almost everyone meets for Sunday lunch in the restaurant, then into the lounge for a chat. We don’t go every week, but there’s always something happening – talks, lunch, social events. If you want company, it’s there – but you can pick and choose.”

“We’ve been to two or three talks,” said David. “An Antiques Roadshow expert. A local historian on Kempston’s landmarks. Another speaker on the Second World War. We brought our grandson. He loves WWII stories.” The restaurant team adds variety. “The chefs put on themed evenings,” said Maura. “Italian night this Friday. We had a Chinese night last month.” There are trips too. “There’s a river trip soon, with a cream tea”.

David has even taken up something new. “I go to armchair yoga every week,” he said. “I’ve never done it before. It’s taught me to relax – not gripping the steering wheel or clenching my teeth. Instead of slumping in front of the telly, I sit calmly with hands on thighs. It fits my ergonomics background. I enjoy the exercises now.”

Practicalities like the hair salon get a thumbs up too. “Yes, I use the salon. It’s excellent.” said Maura.

Adapting with heart

Their decision to move was not instant or easy. “Either we split up and go our own ways, or we find a way,” said David of the moment when their views diverged. “We were both adamant – Maura wanted to stay and I wanted to move.” Maura remembers the gentle pressure from their daughter who lives closest. “She was especially supportive. I knew it was right for David, and eventually it would be for me too. If you’re going to do it, you have to do it with good heart. I’ve made this home, and I’ve succeeded.”

They laugh about receiving their diamond anniversary card from the King. “It amused us,” said David. Splitting up was never a real option. “No, it had to be a compromise.”

Advice for others considering a move

One of Maura’s strongest pieces of advice is simple. “Bring your family along with you,” she said. “You are spending their inheritance. It’s an expensive way of life, which obviously affects them. It’s better to include them so they know. For us it was great. Our kids said, ‘It’s your money, Mum, spend it.’ But it’s important they don’t get surprises at the end.”

Involving their three adult children made a practical difference and drew the siblings closer. “They saw everything,” said Maura. “Every expense, where the money would go, how much it would affect their inheritance, and they were happy. They had good suggestions, especially our son. ‘Have you looked at this? Thought of that?’”

The guest suite has been a hit. “Friends stayed, Bob and Jeanette, and Bob said it was the best hotel room he’d ever had,” she said. “It’s lovely having guests who aren’t under your feet.” One visit was particularly joyful. “My eldest granddaughter got engaged to her Dutch fiancé the weekend they were coming to see us. We had champagne. It was nice they were in the guest room. They had their own space to ring everyone and tell them their news.”

David’s guidance is practical. “Visit as many places as you can. Don’t restrict yourself to one or two and think that’s the marketplace. Look at smaller organisations where you want to live. Preferably go somewhere with more than one apartment available. Here at The Newells we almost decided on three other apartments before this one. Variety made the difference.”

Maura focuses on the human side. “Ask lots of questions. Get your family involved, those closest to you. Involving our immediate family made a big difference. Funny thing, it’s brought our three closer. They talk about us all the time.”

“It’s like living in luxury, a hotel life,” she said. “Everything is supplied, and you are safe. The overwhelming thing is the staff. Warm, welcoming. They really look after you. Most homeowners we’ve met are like minded, very pleasant.”

After a flood in their previous home, a major health scare, and the emotional challenge of downsizing, Maura and David are now settled in their new home. As Maura says, “Everything is lovely. There’s nothing I could criticise.”

They’ve found what matters: independence with support, good neighbours and the space to enjoy life together.

 

Stay connected—subscribe to our free monthly magazine for the latest updates and stories.

Subscribe here