'I love a surprising shoe, but no more high heels': When the catwalk comes to a Yorkshire retirement village
Retirement village Audley Scarcroft Park is the location for our fashion shoot as its home-owners prepare to model clothes from Oaks Boutique and Cabi Clothing on the catwalk. Yorkshire Post Fashion Editor Stephanie Smith meets them.
You have to put off being young until you retire, as someone wise (and presumably mature) once said. With retirement lasting for an average of almost 20 years in the UK, that means - fingers crossed - a sizable chunk of later life to enjoy before finally heading off to that great playground in the sky.
In February this year, married couple Chris Dennler and Judith Firman moved into their two-bedroom retirement apartment at Scarcroft, between Leeds and Wetherby, with their two labradors. Both retired psychotherapists, Chris, 69, is originally from Switzerland, while Judith, 79, is originally from Essex.
They moved up to Leeds nine years ago to be near family. Judith says: “I've had breast cancer, and we just decided – perhaps it was a little bit premature – that it would be a good idea to come somewhere where we knew that there was also going to be support available.
“If and when, you can buy in a care package, which is a very attractive thing. There is also an emergency button.”
For our fashion shoot, we joined Chris and Judith as they prepared to take to the catwalk and join other home owners of Audley Scarcroft Park retirement village for a fashion show, with clothes and accessories provided by womenswear retailers Oaks Boutique and Cabi Clothing.
Judith says: “I have always been colour-coordinated since working at Jaeger in the ‘60s, and I love a surprising coloured shoe. Sadly, no more high heels.
“I give a greater consideration to comfort around my middle. I look for things that I can dress up or down and I occasionally buy things from charity shops and Vinted as I hate the waste of fast fashion.”
Also taking to the catwalk, Marilyn McGregor is a retired headteacher in her late sixties. She moved into her two-bed apartment 16 months ago with her husband, Steve, a retired global expert in counterfeit money.
“The family moved up here from the south so we moved, too,” she says. “I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
“We realised that we had come to the time in our life where we should do this, not leaving it too late, as so many people do, and you regret it then.
“We couldn’t manage the garden like we used to. We had a big house - we couldn't manage that like we used to - so this was just perfect.
“I really like the fact that nearly every day there are really fun things to do, and you can pick and choose, because it might not be for you. I run a knit and natter club, and do a lot of crochet. It's got a hairdresser here, it's got a nail beautician.”
Judith Wilson, 82, has been a nursery nurse, a premature baby nurse, a police officer and a teacher. Originally from Manchester, she moved to Leeds aged 16, and is married to Rod, 84, a retired police officer. In 2024, they moved from their home near Malton into their two-bed apartment at Audley Scarcroft Park.
“My husband got Covid very badly,” Judith says. "He's been left with pulmonary fibrosis. We came back here because one of our sons lives nearby.
“I just love it because everything is on site. I like swimming, I enjoy meeting new people,” she says. She also makes jewellery and alters clothes for fellow owners.
“We have had friends to stay, and our family. I couldn’t see myself in a care home because I’m too fit.”
Launched officially in June 2024, Audley Scarcroft Park is one of 19 Audley retirement villages across the UK (there is also Clevedon village at Ilkley). It has been developed around Grade-II listed stately home Scarcroft Lodge, built by Quaker wool merchant Newman Cash in 1830.
This building is now home to The Audley Club, which has a restaurant, bar, library, a pool, gym and spa facilities. The restaurant and leisure facilities are also used by non-owners (there are about 150 members).
Owners of the village properties automatically become members of Audley Club. There are 128 apartments and cottages, with prices currently starting at around £490,000 for a two-bed apartment. Monthly management fees apply to all properties.
“The owners range from around 62 to 92 years old, and many of them are truly inspiring,” says Freda Shafi, a professional artist who runs creative art and craft workshops for the residents.
“I work with them closely and am constantly taken aback by their style, confidence and passion for life.
“It’s really about creating a community with owners coming together twice a week to make art but also to talk about life, to tell stories, to learn techniques,” she says.
Vicki Braithwaite, personal stylist with American fashion brand Cabi, visits Audley Scarcroft Park to run fashion shows, pop-up boutiques and presentations for residents and also for the women who come to the gym and the bistro.
“Fashion has really brought everybody together," she says. “There’s a lot of really well-dressed ladies in here. They really enjoy the white glove service. A lot of ladies over 50 really find it difficult to go shopping, and it’s really intimidating.”
Sally Arundel, from Weetwood, is the owner of Oaks Boutiques in Wetherby, Ilkley, Harrogate, and Street Lane in Leeds. She has been in business since 1983 and often clothes three generations of customers. She now works with her daughter, Ava, and has clients among the owners at Scarcroft Park.
“People aren’t old at 70 and 80 now,” Sally says, adding that many of her clients look 20 years younger than their true age. “The only rules are ones that they set themselves.”