From a press release issued in 1987:
Waldron Court
Situated 3 miles south of the attractive and lively town of Warminster in Wiltshire, lies the village of Longbridge Deverill in the beautiful Wylye Valley. The present village probably had its origins in Saxon times; the Domesday survey of 1086 lists a watermill by the Church in Longbridge. Certainly when the Domesday Book was compiled the Free Manor of Longbridge Deverill had been in the possession of the Abbot of Glastonbury for more than 150 years, having been granted by Wulfhelm, Saxon Archbishop of Canterbury in 926. The land was retained by the Abbot until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. Longbridge Deverill was established as a forest village in a boundary review of Selwood Forest in 1257. In the 1377 poll tax return, the population was recorded as about 500.
The most well-known of the village’s past inhabitants was probably Sir John Thynne. Born in Shropshire in 1515, he lived in the old Manor House, whilst supervising the building of Longleat – just four miles away as the crow flies – on the site of the dissolved Augustinian Priory of Black Canons. The Manor House was used by the Thynnes up until 1660. A ruined wall at the north western corner of the churchyard is the only remaining evidence of this building. The parish church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is very ancient and is supposed to have been consecrated by Thomas a’Beckett. The many alterations over the centuries (in particular 12th, 14th and 16th) were followed by extensive restoration by the Marquess of Bath in 1851. It is the burial place of the Thynne family. Other notable buildings in the village include the Almshouses, built by Sir James Thynne in 1665, which have been restored and modernised recently and continue to be lived in, and the George Inn, an 18th century building sited at the crossing of two former turnpike roads.
The largest building in Longbridge Deverill has always been the Rectory or Vicarage now known as Longbridge Deverill House (or formerly just Longbridge House). The present building was erected by the Reverend Lord Charles Thynne, one of the eight sons of the second Marquess of Bath, in 1837, in the Gothic or Tudor Revival style, on the site of “20 cottages which had to be demolished”, as his Rectory. Coming as he did from the aristocracy, Lord Charles was in a position to build himself a splendidly large house, with well laid out and planted gardens, coach house, stables, etc. He had a household staff of at least nine people. In 1883, the several cottages to the north of the Rectory were built for servants, including gardeners. The clergy who followed Lord Charles as Incumbents of Longbridge Deverill also had private means in order to be able to maintain this extensive property.
The house remained as a Church hereditament until 1923 when the then Rector, Canon J.W.R. Brocklebank, bought it from the Church; the particular conveyance bears not only the signatures but the Seals of the Bishop of Salisbury and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The house remained in use as a rectory until the late 1920s, after which it was used as a private country house by a number of families until 1979, when the present owners acquired the property. Longbridge Deverill House has been described as “a most attractive country house with period origins”, it has mellow brick elevations with stone quoins and dressings with stone copings to parapets and gables under a tiled roof. The house is listed as being of Architectural and Historic interest Grade II. Above the front entrance a crest holding the plaque of the Bath family contained in a garter with the motto “J’ai Bonne Cause” is seen. The long entrance hall and main reception rooms have graceful Georgian arches, Tudor ceilings and fine fireplaces.
The house was converted into a “country residence for the retired and elderly’, in 1979, since when further conversions and extensions (all in the original architectural style) have been carried out. The original layout of the early 19th century garden has been largely maintained. Apart from the usual herbaceous and rose beds and shrubberies of rhododendrons and azaleas, the gardens include a stone lined lily pond, long terraces with magnificent Yew topiary, a wild flower garden and a Laburnum Tunnel. In spring, several thousand bulbs break into flower; in summer there is a fine collection of old-fashioned roses. The arboretum includes a 150 year old Mulberry, a Noble fir, an enormous Cedar of Lebanon, a Tulip tree, three species of Magnolia and a giant Monkey Puzzle tree. The present owners have planted an extensive collection of flowering trees, including Japanese Cherries, over the past eight years. There is also a Japanese Garden with its traditional Maples, Azaleas and Wisteria, rocks, stones and ponds, designed as a forest garden to evoke a quiet environment.
This then, is the historical and topographical setting for Waldron Court, which is now being built adjacent to and in architectural harmony with Longbridge Deverill House. This unique development of only ten apartments in a gracefully designed building is a new approach to sheltered housing for those professional people who prefer to be in the country in their years of retirement.
In the first place, the setting of a lovely country house estate has been described in detail already. This is in contrast to the majority of sheltered housing schemes which comprise multi-storied blocks in built-up areas. The location of Waldron Court – in a village in rural England, yet close to towns like Warminster, Bath and Salisbury – offers the benefits of country living as well as the nearby facilities of pleasant towns, but without the disadvantages of actually living in an urban area. Residents of Waldron Court will have the use of the gardens of Longbridge Deverill House, including the large heated swimming pool and croquet lawn; a nine hole putting green is to be laid out. A private sitting room in Longbridge Deverill House, known as the Library, will also be available for their use.
Secondly, the apartments in Waldron Court have been designed and are being built to the highest standards, as is appropriate for people of discernment used to living in attractive surroundings. Externally, the building will have high quality brick elevations, with stone window mullions, door openings, quoins and gable details, and a traditional tiled roof. Each of the ten apartments will be finished to the highest standards. All windows will be double glazed with frames in bronzed aluminium finish for minimum maintenance and maximum insulation value. All the panelled doors will be fitted with heavy brass door furniture. The skirting and cornice details have been carefully selected. Decorating finishes and carpeting will be of high quality. Kitchens and bathrooms will be fitted and equipped only with best quality units and appliances. Although there will be only one floor above ground level, a four-person lift capable of taking a wheelchair is being installed in addition to the wide central staircase. The needs of older people have been foremost in the architect’s design, from the provision of power points positioned at waist level on walls, to bathroom suites suitable for ease of access.
Thirdly, the whole management and staff of Longbridge Deverill House, which totals 40 people including professional nurses, will be on hand to cope with any emergency that may arise, as well as providing many useful services to residents, rather than just one duty warden being responsible for perhaps up to 60 flats, as is usually the case. Each apartment will be equipped with a call facility from the principal bedroom enabling direct contact between the resident and the manager or duty warden at Longbridge Deverill House. In addition, emergency call buttons will be located in the sitting room and bathroom of each apartment which will also alert the duty staff in case of sudden need.
During their active years, the main house and grounds, the countryside, the village and the nearby towns of Warminster, Bath and Salisbury, will offer ample scope for recreation and interest to the residents of Waldron Court. Some residents may eventually wish to move into Longbridge Deverill House when they become older and frailer but, with the support envisaged, many can expect to spend the rest of their lives in their own apartments. Over the past eight years, Longbridge Deverill House has established a sound reputation for providing accommodation and care to a very high standard and it is intended that, in the near future, the house will be registered both as a retirement home and a nursing home.
As can be seen from this article, this new approach to providing for the retired and elderly could well be described as permanently sheltered care. L. A. Ash Limited and Longbridge Deverill House Limited are combining their considerable experience and resources to fulfil this new concept in housing the retired. Waldron Court is scheduled for completion in the Autumn of 1987.
In contrast to other very sheltered retirement schemes, where occupation is based on a high weekly rental figure, or the down payment of a substantial capital lump sum without interest or capital appreciation, the apartments at Waldron Court are being sold on a long leasehold basis. Thus, as the owner of 100% of the equity in the property, the purchase benefits from the increase in the apartments value as time gos by, and is of course free to sell it in the open market at any time.
