Legendary broadcaster and gardener Alan Titchmarsh helped open a new retirement community in Baldock earlier this month.

Baldock retirees welcomed their celebrity guest on Friday, November 3, to McCarthy Stone's Norton Place development on Icknield Way.

Alan gave a demonstration on planting in cold weather and winter bedding before conducting the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

Guests at the event, including homeowners at Norton Place and their friends and family, spent time chatting to Alan before taking a guided tour of the communal facilities within the community.

Commenting on his visit, Alan said: “I was delighted to be invited to Norton Place for the Grand Opening.

READ MORE

"It was so wonderful to meet with all the homeowners and their guests, and an absolute joy to be a part of the celebrations here in Baldock.”

Sam Watkins, divisional sales director at McCarthy Stone, added: “The opening was a fantastic occasion and our guests thoroughly enjoyed meeting Alan and hearing his top tips when it comes to winter gardening.

"On behalf of the team and our homeowners, we’d like to say a huge thank you to Alan for making it such a memorable experience, over 100 people attended the event, it was a huge success.

"We would like to thank the Letchworth Men’s Community Shed for making the planter that Alan used and also Bickerdikes Garden Centre in Letchworth for helping out with all the plants and accessories.

The Comet: Alan gave a demonstration on winter planning to the retirees and their friends and families.Alan gave a demonstration on winter planning to the retirees and their friends and families. (Image: McCarthy Stone)

“Norton Place provides a unique brand of retirement living in the local area with independence and community at its heart. With a wealth of social activity on offer and a friendly Estate Management team on-hand, homeowners and their families can enjoy peace of mind that everything is taken care of, and help is nearby should they ever need it.”

The development includes 57 one and two-bedroom apartments that are designed to be low maintenance for over 70s.

The development includes a communal lounge, gardens, guest suite, and restaurant.

Properties can be acquired through part-buy or part-rent, while prices for outright purchase start at £299,995 for one-bedroom apartments and £424,995 for two-bedroom apartments.