An automatic external defibrillator nearly doubles the chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.[1] This has led many communities to install defibrillators in recent years, yet installation isn’t the end of the story – the defibrillators must also be maintained to ensure their continued operation. In the pretty village of Alderholt in Dorset, community-focused Pennyfarthing Homes is doing just that.
Pennyfarthing Homes has already demonstrated its commitment to the Alderholt community by resolving a major drainage problem that had blighted the village’s recreation ground for years, as a result of a neighbouring campsite. Now, the family-run homebuilder has made a donation to cover the maintenance of Alderholt’s four Stryker defibrillators for the next three years.
Sheetal Smith, Sales and Marketing Director at Pennyfarthing Homes, comments: “Building homes is about more than providing individual families with outstanding properties. It’s about building neighbourhoods where people can feel connected and being part of the local community. As such, we are delighted to be contributing to this incredibly important cause in Alderholt.”
Martin Smethers, the Alderholt coordinator for the defibrillators, comments: “Alderholt is lucky to have access to four defibrillators within the village, but we can only guarantee they will work through regular maintenance. Pennyfarthing’s thoughtful generosity has ensured that these life-saving devices will be here to support residents in need for the next three years, delivering peace of mind across the community.”
Pennyfarthing Homes’ connection with Alderholt results from the housebuilder’s Oakwood Grove development. Oakwood Grove is a brand-new neighbourhood designed to meet a wide range of homebuyers’ needs. Home to houses with two, three and four bedrooms, three-bedroom bungalows and one- and two-bedroom apartments, the development provides an aspirational lifestyle to families, second-steppers and downsizers. The apartments are available through the First Homes scheme, a government initiative developed in partnership with Dorset Council to meet the needs of local first-time buyers and key workers.
Nestled in the midst of landscaped gardens and featuring a lovely a communal pond, woodland area, greenspace and children’s play area, Oakwood Grove’s homes blend traditional architectural features with contemporary interiors designed around modern lifestyles. The brick facades, casement windows and pretty weatherboarding speak to Alderholt’s picturesque countryside setting. To support local wildlife, birdboxes and habitats for hedgehogs, bats and bees have been incorporated into the development’s core design.
Internally, homes at Oakwood Grove feature light-filled, open plan kitchen and living spaces, with neutral décor and an emphasis on quality throughout. Every property benefits from an air source heat pump, while solar panels and electric vehicle charging points are provided with select homes.
The elegant, modern homes are ideally located for enjoying the best of Alderholt village life. Residents also have easy access to the historic town of Salisbury, a half hour drive away, and the sweeping coastline and welcoming town of Bournemouth, just a 25-minute drive away. For immersion in nature, the New Forest National Park is less than 10 minutes away by car.
