Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of Tithe Lodge in Southam. There was a real feeling of celebration in the April air and a great turn out.
Tithe Lodge is a fantastic development for the over 55s, offering a total of 75 modern apartments, with 45 available for affordable rent and 30 for shared ownership. The communal facilities for the residents’ enjoyment include two private gardens, a restaurant, cinema and games room. I had a tour and was hugely impressed by what I saw.
Beyond the pristine new facilities, there also lies an invaluable safety net. For, whilst residents at Tithe Lodge can live independently, they and their families are safe in the knowledge that care is available in the comfort of their own homes if and when they need it.
People say that location is everything and this is surely the case when it comes to Tithe Lodge. The High Street location ensures its residents are an integral part of the Southam community. Meanwhile, people from the wider Southam community can share the unique Community Hub inside the building, which brings together Southam’s new library, a safer neighbourhood police office, a local history information centre, and community offices.
All these facilities are the impressive result of an eight-year collaboration between Orbit, Southam Town Council, Stratford District Council, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police – showcasing partnership at its best.
During my visit, I chatted to many people who already call Tithe Lodge home. There was an overwhelming sense that this building was (even at this formative stage) so much more than just bricks and mortar; it has a growing community with its own spirit.
The commemorative sundial that I unveiled was engraved with the words: “In the garden of happy memories, it is always summer.” I am confident that Tithe Lodge will be a place where residents will reflect upon happy memories from the past and make many more for the present and future.
Tithe Lodge is already an integral part of Southam and I am confident that it will serve many generations to come.