PRIMARY school pupils visited a retirement home as part of a special book event.

Twenty-nine Year 3 students from Andover Primary School visited Churchill Retirement Living’s Chantry Lodge recently.

The pupils split into groups with the owners of the lodge to practice reading aloud from their story books.

The visit marked the start of an ongoing partnership between Chantry Lodge and Andover Primary school, as Churchill looks to build community links in the areas surrounding its lodges.

Headteacher, Melanie Beardsley, said: “The children were delighted at the opportunity to visit everyone at Chantry Lodge and were so excited to share their different stories with the owners.

“The children’s journey to becoming fluent readers will benefit greatly from the opportunity to read to the owners at Chantry Lodge.”

Chantry Lodge is a new collection of privately owned retirement apartments and shared facilities, designed exclusively for the over-60s.

Deborah Waldeck, regional marketing executive, added: “We thoroughly enjoyed the visit from the children and their reading was brilliant.

“It’s great for the owners to get involved with visits like this.

“We are always keen to arrange an assortment of events to take place in the owners’ lounge at the lodge, and look forward to welcoming the children back again.”

To find out more about the apartments available at Chantry Lodge, visit the showhome open daily from 10am to 5pm, call 01264 252 348 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk.