Celebrating 50 years of support given to the local community!

Identifying a suitable building and beginning to fundraise for the necessary costs, plans were approved and by 1974/75, a brand-new Abbeyfield house came to be. Throughout the years, standards of support and needs of residents changed and so too did the house. The foundations of this house were built on community, with local members coming together to help with the initial planning and building stages, locals assisting with fundraising and more. This meant that when the time came for changes to be made to the house, the community came together once again.

Local villageperson, Mrs Rosemary Pilcher, sat down with the chairman and vice-chairman of trustees and, over a glass of sherry, explained to them how much the positive value of the Abbeyfield house meant to her and generously donated a large portion of land to have a new house built. Moved by this gesture, the society just to action and fundraising began once again. By 1993, a brand-new purpose-built Abbeyfield home stood tall and proud. Descendants of Mrs Pilcher continued to support the Abbeyfield Buckland Monachorum Society and later offered trustees a significant opportunity to purchase additional adjoining land to the new home. Through fundraising and loans, the society began to expand.

In 2012, a change of the times had again occurred and the home needed upgrades and extending to keep up with residents’ needs and safety measures. Major renovations began and with the patience and support of residents, who lived in the home throughout the reconstruction, the transformation was successful. By 2014/15, additional rooms, wetroom en-suites, laundry facilities, a guest room and more were added to the home.

In 2025/26, construction was undertaken on the previously purchased adjoining land, extending the home providing a new-build with an extra five apartments plus communal spaces and additional parking. Thanks to Homes England, who provided a significant grant towards the project, and Charity Bank for providing a 25-year mortgage, the new build was completed towards the end of 2026. This new addition is energy-efficient and has achieved a commercial rating of “A” from EPC.

Even with the various changes, additions and move, this society remains the same at its foundation: built by the community, for the community. To commemorate this momentous occasion of fifty wonderful years of service, the Abbeyfield Buckland Monachorum Society recently held a splendid event; allowing staff, volunteers, residents, family, friends and community members to come together and celebrate. In addition to both anniversaries, the event also honoured the opening of five brand-new apartments within the building, officially opened by Rebecca Smith MP. We at Abbeyfield England are proud to have such a magnificent organisation be a part of the Abbeyfield family and we offer the warmest congratulations on fifty years of exemplary service to the local community.

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