Sheltered housing, The Green, Walsall, WS9 8UP 01922 454200

on the 12th of June 2009 the residents at Old Rectory Gardens, a sheltered housing scheme in Walsall run by Accord Housing Association, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a garden party.

Guests included MP Richard Shepherd, Aldridge Councillor John Rochelle and local author Roger Harper.

Old Rectory Gardens scheme manager Angela Cawston said: �The Rectory, which houses our common room, is a listed building that dates back to 1826."

NEW ELECTRIC WINDOWS OFFER A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR ALDRIDGE RECTORY TENANTS
Existing standard windows at the Old Rectory Gardens sheltered housing complex in Aldridge were proving extremely difficult to operate for elderly residents, those suffering from arthritis and wheelchair users. As a result, Matrix Accord Housing appointed Connaught Partnerships Ltd to fit electrical windows to six properties within the complex enabling residents to allow fresh air into their rooms and help improve security at just the flick of a switch. Mrs Margaret Iveson said: �Now that we can open our windows just by pressing a button it has made it so much easier to let a bit of fresh air in, as well as helping us keep our independence. Before, some of us just couldn�t open the windows so the new system, which is ever so simple to use, really has helped.� In addition, Connaught fitted switches within reach of a resident who is severely disabled after a prior unfortunate accident, while also repairing all quarry tiles to the external sills that had become weathered and damaged over time as part of improvements to 38 properties. Chris Spink, Connaught installation manager, said: �The feedback we have received from tenants regarding the installation of the electrical powered windows has been wholly positive with some of the residents even holding a collection and presenting gifts to the team responsible!

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