 | New England Masonic Village |
In May 1991 an initiative by the late Dr Alan Kerr resulted in the local Masonic lodges acknowledging a need for a retirement village in Armidale. Support was obtained from the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) and land was purchased in Cookes Road from a private vendor. It required the removal of a cottage and some distressed shrubs and trees. The palm tree in the centre of the upper roundabout was preserved in deference to the wishes of the former owner and removed to its present location. Construction of the initial twelve units and the layout of grounds and street culminated in the official opening of the project in November 1996. At present there are 34 units in the complex with more being planned.
For the first time the New England Masonic Village is included in St Peter’s Open Gardens.
The mowing and caring of the main grounds is carried out by the RFBI. Each unit has its own individual garden which can be small and simple or as large as the occupant wishes. Some grow flowers and shrubs for show, others grow flowers for indoor arrangements and a number grow some vegetables. Indeed there is a great variey in the gardens.
Examples of cacti and succulents will be displayed on the verandah of Unit 1, while Unit 36 has a beautiful landscaped garden (the pride and joy of its owner.)
All participating gardens will be indicated by ballooans.
As will be seen, on moving to a retirement village one can still have an individual garden commensurate with health and age.
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