Tommy and June Skuse

A day at the races is still on the cards for 74-year-old ex-jockey Tommy Skuse and his wife June, who recently moved into a brand new sheltered housing scheme in Newbury.

June suffers from Parkinson’s disease and the couple wanted to move from their rather isolated home near Lambourn to somewhere closer to support and services. Carnarvon Close fits the bill perfectly. Developed by Sovereign Housing Association specifically for the over-55s, the £18 million scheme provides 85 spacious, high-quality apartments, plus places to meet and socialise on the site of a former hospital – and it’s near the racecourse.

“When my wife was ill before, it was a problem getting help. But now we are near the cottage hospital,” Tommy says. “I never thought we would get a place like this at our age – it’s marvellous. As you get older you feel more vulnerable but the security is much better here.”

From temporary sheltered housing home nearby, the Skuses watched Carnarvon Close being built, and helped to choose the artworks displayed in its communal areas. “There is also room if we want it for an electric scooter for June,” he says. “Hopefully, I can do more walking if she gets one as I’ve been putting the pounds on! Moving here has made life altogether easier for us.”