“PERFECT ENGLISH VILLAGE”

Evening Star, Issue 19409, 18 November 1926, Page 11

“PERFECT ENGLISH VILLAGE”

A HAVEN OF REST ORGANISED FOE THE AGED. A haunt of ancient peace amid scenes of sylvan loveliness, tenanted by men and women to whom life has not been kind, but who have found a haven of rest in which to end their days—such is the Surrey village of Whiteley, so called because it was built and is maintained out of the funds left by the late .Hr William Whiteley, the founder of a string of stores. The present population is 325, all of whom are over sixty, years, but when con-' templated improvements have been carried out there will be room for 500. The whole village is perfectly arranged for the needs of old people. Outdoor games suited to the evening of life—bowls, croquet, and the like —are provided; indoor amusements include lectures, concerts, whist drives, and bridge evenings, and even plays. • Practically every resident has “come down in life” through some form of misfortune. The highest joint income allowed to any couple in the village is £75. There is a minimum qualifying income of about £2O; thus there are no entirely destitute people admitted to the perfect village. Every house is perfectly designed with regard to the needs of age. Electric light and heat, with flower and vegetable gardens at hand, and with free medical attention, reading room, billiard saloon, and club near at hand. In every house, 100, is installed an electric bell-push for use if either inmate of the house is taken ill. The alarm rings in the nurses’ hostel, where a master key which admits to any house in the village is kept. The very aged, who can no longer maintain their separate homes, are taken to the rest house, which is almost a part of the village hospital.. The incomes of all are supplemented according to need by the trustees of the fund out of which Whitelay is maintained, so that none of the inhabitants of the perfect village ever know want. 4 One thing only is lacking—there are no child residents. Children come to slay with the old people sometimes, and when their elders come to visit their elderly relatives there is a guest house in which they can stay. , Spaciously and beautifully planned, with everything that old age can ask for its comfort, the village realises a dream of the master of the “stores” by giving freedom from anxiety to hundred* of old people*