“Happy” – Rosemary’s new life at Cobham Bowers

When you’ve flown in helicopters to oil rigs off the coast of Norway and helped develop the first airborne navigation computers in the 1960s, you might think there’s little left to surprise you in retirement. But for 85-year-old Rosemary, who recently moved to Cobham Bowers, it’s the community spirit, not high-tech innovation, that’s brought the most joy in this chapter of life.

“I’ve lived on my own for 27 years,” she says, calmly but candidly. “And after two years in another development that was sold as ‘independent living’ but didn’t feel like it, I knew I had to try something new.” So, with her usual sharp decision-making (a habit from her systems analyst days), Rosemary packed up and moved to Cobham Bowers.

And it’s been, in her words, “absolutely brilliant.”

Finding the Right Fit

Rosemary came to Pegasus after spending time at another retirement property, where she felt isolated and disconnected. “It was a beautiful flat,” she explains, “but there was no one to talk to. No one I could even get on a bus and go out with.” A stark contrast to the sociable, lively atmosphere she’s found now.

The Cobham Bowers move was sparked by a visit to a friend at Pegasus’s community in Harpenden. “My friend told me, ‘There’s nothing I can find to complain about with Pegasus management.’ That stuck with me.” Encouraged by such high praise, Rosemary attended six coffee mornings before making the move. “I walked in on the first day, and someone said, ‘What’s your name?’ I said, ‘Rosemary,’ and she said, ‘I’m Thyme.’ That quick wit and warmth - well, I knew I’d found my people.”

A Home with Heart

Today, Rosemary lives in a spacious two-bedroom apartment overlooking a peaceful bowling green, where the view is just as uplifting as the community spirit. “The whole atmosphere is lovely,” she says. “Even the buses are friendly! I caught the local ‘Chatter Bus’ the other day. Two people on it were chatting with the driver the whole way. They even dropped me off exactly outside the door.”

And while she misses her previous golf club, which is now about 20 miles away, she’s adapting. “I’m getting bowling lessons, and I’m considering joining another golf club nearby.

Rosemary may be retired, but not slowing down. Work? Yes, a volunteer job with England Golf, rating courses across Surrey and Northamptonshire. “We assess each course's playing difficulty, which controls players’ handicaps. It’s busy in summer,” she says, smiling, “but I love it.” She’s also focused on finding a new aqua aerobics class—“I used to do it four times a week!”—and is in talks to join a new gym, and has a personal trainer. “He puts me through hell!” she laughs. 

Community, Not Just Comfort

What sets Cobham Bowers apart for Rosemary is the people. “Everyone helps one another. There’s always something going on: bridge, yoga, Friday sundowners. We’ve had trips to Hampton Court, lunches out, and parties with live music. It’s social in the best possible way.”

That sense of connection was what Rosemary missed most in her previous home. “With COVID, I spent two years completely alone. I didn’t live on a street where neighbours mixed all the time. Now, I have lots of friends nearby, and I play bridge with my neighbours. I also know that people will say hello to my family when they visit. That didn’t happen before.”

She’s also found peace of mind in knowing she can “lock up and leave.” Recently, she went on a 10-day cruise along the Danube, confident her home would be safe and secure in her absence. “You just feel at ease here,” she adds. She also appreciates the quality and layout of the apartments. “The cupboards are brilliant—lots of storage. And the kitchen is excellent, much better than the one I had before. Everything here feels well thought out.”

Giving Back And Looking Forward

Although Rosemary has moved on, keen to share her newly found community spirit with her previous neighbours, she also returns to her old residence fortnightly to help keep their fledgling social club going. “The place was dead in the evenings, so I set up a social night. I go back fortnightly to try to keep it alive for them.”

For someone who’s created more than eight decades of incredible stories, Rosemary’s next chapter is busy and exciting. “My kids were amazed when I decided to move a second time, after 50 years in the family home,” she says. “But now? They’re thrilled I’ve done so.”

And really, that’s what Pegasus is all about—creating a place where life can be lived fully, joyfully, and independently, surrounded by a community that cares.

“It’s the best decision I’ve made,” Rosemary says simply. Her one word to describe how she feels in her new home? “Happy!”

Cobham Bowers is a stylish collection of bright and spacious open-plan one- and two-bedroom apartments, situated just a 10-minute walk from Cobham village centre in Surrey. If you are looking for a more manageable yet spacious apartment with hotel-style facilities, this could be the perfect home for you.

Prices start from £475,000. For further information, call 01932 321 027 or email [email protected]