Archbishop of Canterbury opens Manormead

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has officially opened the Church of England Pensions Board’s new showpiece retirement home, Manormead Supported Housing, at Hindhead near Haslemere in Surrey.

A congregation of supported housing residents, neighbouring Manormead Care Home residents, Pension Board staff members and guests, numbering 200 people in total, attended a Eucharist and dedication service at Manormead’s own chapel, at which the Archbishop and Bishop of Guildford the Rt Revd Christopher Hill officiated. This was followed by a short conducted tour of flats and the rest of the facilities, the unveiling of a plaque in the lounge by the Archbishop, and lunch for all guests in the dining room.

Offering high quality accommodation for retired Church of England clergy, their spouses, and clergy widows and widowers, the newly rebuilt Manormead – comprising 28 individual flats, chapel, library, communal lounge and dining room – combines support, including overnight emergency cover, with independent living.

Lunch is provided in the dining room, but residents' flats have their own fully fitted kitchen in which to prepare other meals, together with generous living space.

Complete with landscaped gardens, fully equipped for the disabled, and boasting a biomass boiler that provides a minimum of 10 per cent of energy consumption, Manormead is a thriving modern Christian community, with regular worship, stimulating conversation and activities, all in the comfort of an airy, modern, purpose-built scheme.

Before handing over to the Archbishop at the opening ceremony, Allan Bridgewater, Chairman of the Church of England Pensions Board, commented: “I believe the service and dedication of our new chapel and the official opening of this new supported housing project bears witness to the extension and deepening of the links by the Church in the wider community and has been accomplished eagerly. I’m delighted that so many are able to be here representing various interests.”

For more information on the services available and to enquire about flat availability at Manormead, telephone 020 7898 1800 and ask to speak to Jos Laskey or Tracy Wood.

 www.cofe.anglican.org/ about/cepb/housing/ manormead.html