Homeowners and local businesses got together to enjoy a party to celebrate the launch of the new Sherborne Platinum Skies community. 

As one of her first official engagements during her mayoral year, The Mayor of Sherborne, Cllr Juliet Pentolfe, cut the ribbon on the independent-living apartments in Mulberry House and neighbouring houses which are home to people aged 55 and over. 

The Mayor of Sherborne took a tour of the communal facilities including a bistro and bar, activity room, treatment room and homeowners’ lounge. She also saw some of the homes available for purchase which include one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, and two and three-bedroom detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses, which all have access to the shared communal spaces. 

Speaking after the event, the Mayor of Sherborne, Cllr Juliet Pentolfe, said: “I love the Sherborne Platinum Skies community. I think it's absolutely fantastic. It's a brilliant concept and it has a wonderful community feeling. I've been to look around the apartments and the houses and as soon as you walk through the door, it feels as though you’re on holiday. It's gorgeous.”

Homes are available to buy in the Sherborne community from £130,000 with the Platinum Skies shared ownership option. 

Sherborne has two dedicated Community Managers, Hayley and Vanessa, who organise fun activities to enable the homeowners to socialise which can include wine tasting workshops, talks, live music, yoga, coffee mornings, quizzes, and crafts, as well as providing practical and emotional support. 

Among the party’s guests were Pamela and Derek Emerson, who moved into a house in Canon Woods Close, earlier this year. Talking about the move, Derek said: “It’s one of the best new-build houses that we have seen. From my point of view, I think it’s one of the best moves we’ve ever made and that’s coming from someone who really didn’t want to move out of their last house.”

Pamela added: “We came from Devon and lived on Dartmoor in a large house with no neighbours. It meant that we were isolated, although I was happy to spend all day in the garden. Thinking about coming into a retirement village was initially quite daunting, but as Derek says, we settled in quite quickly and the Community Managers go to a lot of effort for us, along with Agata who runs the bistro.”

For more information about buying a home in the Sherborne community, go to Platinumskies.co.uk or call the Platinum Skies team on 01202 040996.