More than 75 staff, residents and invited guests celebrated a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester in February to mark the official opening of Sandford Station retirement village.

The Duke paid a special visit to 85-year-old new resident, Bridget Gallagher, who managed to give the Duke a bit of a hug when he visited her new home.

Offering 24-hour general needs nursing care in a uniquely comfortable and supported environment, Sherwood opens in June with 30 brand new en-suite rooms, each one equipped with specialist facilities needed to give residents maximum opportunity and independence.

The facility, designed specifically to support the needs of elderly residents in need of high quality nursing care, is an integral part of the development, which offers a range of support and accommodation for older people – from independent living in special flats and houses, through to high levels of care, including dementia care. Explains Gerald Lee, Director at the St Monica Trust: “This is an important development, which will provide residents both now and in the future with continuity of care and the opportunity to remain within their new community even though their needs,