“The Thursday Murder Club” books by Richard Osman, have been bestsellers since the publication of the first instalment in 2020. Aside from being gripping and sometimes hilarious thrillers, these books have really flown the flag for retirement communities and later living in general. Its protagonists, residents at a Kent retirement community, have diverse and fascinating backgrounds, which has led to invaluable experience in tackling the cases that they study. This experience gives the team an edge over even professional law enforcement officers, who end up using the residents’ skills and insight throughout their own investigations.
With the release of the film adaptation imminent, interest in these themes has rocketed. As part of the Generation Joy campaign, of which Retirement Villages Group is a founding member, Good Housekeeping journalist Anniki Somerville visited the community and residents upon which Osman’s characters were based. We picked out some highlights of her visit.
"We’re sitting outside Brenda’s apartment, and residents wave as they pass. She’s clearly proud of her sons. In her front room hangs a framed award for Suede’s iconic Dog Man Star album. ‘They just played to thousands of people in Chile,’ she says, nonchalantly. The photographer and I – both massive Suede fans – try not to swoon.
‘Richard loves it here,’ she continues. ‘I panicked when he first told me he’d written the book; I skimmed it quickly to make sure there was nothing incriminating!’ Brenda is part of a book club here, as well as a ‘Knit and Natter' group. ‘I don’t think you’ll find anyone with negative things to say about this place,’ she adds. It turns out she’s right."
"On the first day of my stay, I attend a ‘Move and Groove’ class. Fleetwood Mac blasts through the speakers and I’m sweating like mad. The man next to me, Mick, in a bright purple and blue shirt, knows the steps, and I take furtive side glances in a bid to keep up. ‘Bet you didn’t think you’d be doing this in a retirement village!’ he shouts above the music.
Mick’s comment about this place being a surprise rings in my ears as I doze. I’m the only one napping, it seems. The UK retirement housing market is growing, driven by an ageing population and evolving tastes for more community-orientated living spaces. Research by Aston and Lancaster Universities commissioned by not-for- profit retirement housing developer the ExtraCare Charitable Trust found that people who live in retirement villages cost the NHS 38% less per annum (compared with their costs when they first moved in). Their exercise levels increased by 75%, anxiety symptoms decreased by 23% and memory improved by 24%. 85.5% of residents never or hardly ever felt lonely. These benefits are compelling."
"One refreshing thing about life here is that, in a world where people show off a lot (or maybe that’s just me?), residents aren’t remotely interested in how many followers someone has, and they’re not addicted to their phones. I vow to reevaluate my priorities the minute I get home. Another difference is that people are eager to tell you their age. ‘Our oldest resident is 102 years old,’.
I also meet Sharon, membership secretary of the residents’ association. As we sit in her allotment, enjoying the sun shining through the apple trees, she tells a story that I suspect is quite common. ‘I had a big house but never really talked to my neighbours because they were out at work,’ she says. Now, by contrast, one of Sharon’s roles is to help induct newbies into village life. She invites them for coffee so they feel encouraged to make friends and try out new things. She also has her ginger cat, Jazz, to attend to. A specially designed Astroturf-covered ramp ensures he doesn’t get mud on his paws when climbing through the cat flap, proving that even the pets get five-star treatment here!"
"What I’ve learned is that this community is definitely not about ‘retirement’ – not in the conventional sense, in any case. What I can see is growth. And joy. And it’s pretty damn inspiring."
#GenerationJoy #GreatCommunitiesAmazingLives