Music fills the corridor of McCarthy Stone’s Ryland Place, a Retirement Living PLUS development, which is all thanks to a homeowner who moved in with her baby grand piano.
Rosemary Chrimes, a retired Principal lecturer in teacher training and ex-Olympic athlete, decided to downsize to Ryland Place, in December 2021, as she now requires added support with her every day after a couple of falls. However, she couldn't part with her baby grand piano, which had originally belonged to her late husband, Brian.
After asking the House Manager whether it would be possible to keep the piano in the development's shared space, the cherished instrument has now become the centrepiece of the communal lounge. Rosemary comments: "My piano has tucked nicely into the corner of the lounge, and it fills me with such joy to see it each and every day.
“But better than that, it is so heartwarming to see how it has brought all the homeowners that bit closer together. I'll start to play and notice others gather around and listen, which reminds me of when I used to play, and my late husband would come and sing by me with his lovely singing voice."
The instrument has not only brought joy to Rosemary, but the other homeowners that call Ryland Place home have taken it upon themselves to showcase what a musically orientated group they truly are. Sharon Clark, Estate Manager of Ryland Place, has observed that it’s “been so lovely to see the joy the piano has brought to the entire development.
The team and I think it was so incredibly thoughtful of Rosemary to gift the piano to the shared lounge, and it has become a great centrepiece of the space and the hub of entertainment on most days, with homeowners gathered around to listen. The piano also influenced us to organise regular musical showcases in the lounge, which have become a highlight to our social calendar at the development.”
Rosemary added, "When I first moved in with the piano, I remember playing for the first time and a gentleman saying, 'That's the first bit of music I've heard since being here', so the piano has become a great way for us to all reconnect with our love for music and has bought us closer together. We share and perform our favourite songs, although my favourite, 'The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lamond,' sometimes lowers the mood, however beautiful the Scottish tune is. I also have a brilliant piano teacher who visits the development and invites his musician friend from the ballet school to often perform for us, which has been a real treat.”
The baby grand piano isn’t the only thing that has brought joy to Ryland Place. Rosemary’s piano teacher, Mikael Petersson, has brought incredible entertainment to the homeowners, ever since being introduced when Rosemary moved into the development and wanted to continue with her weekly piano lesson, which she has been committed to for 22 years, making her one of Mikael’s longest standing students, adding, “It has been a privilege to be a part of the community at Ryland Place, there are so many kind and interesting individuals that make up it, from both staff and residents.”
Along with teaching students, like Rosemary, Mikael is the Head of Accompanying and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Pianist Placement Scheme Coordinator at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham. So, Mikael often invites musicians to join him to perform for the homeowners. Mikael comments: “I now create a monthly concert for the homeowners, with performances lately with The Sapphire Duo which consists of myself and pianist Dominic Mason, where I invite my students and musician friends to come along, basing the performances around a theme, we’ve had music by Poulenc and Swedish music in the Summer Night.
“They are always well-attended, and we get some amazing participation from the homeowners. What’s also lovely is that the residents also invite their friends and family to come along and watch, creating such a great atmosphere and I so look forward to each month’s concert.”
In less than two years since Rosemary moved into Ryland Place, she has made a significant and positive impact on the atmosphere of the development and had this to say about her experience: "With me being a widower and my family all grown up, there was no point living in a big house anymore, so moved into my apartment for the support I knew I'd get if needed it and I feel safe here. I've enjoyed getting to know the staff and the other homeowners and am as sociable as ever.
“I'm also fortunate to see my twin sons, their partners and grandchildren plenty, and they love visiting the apartment. I’ve been enjoying watching more TV than I ever have in my lifetime, from The Chase to my nature programmes, and of course, I’ve been playing plenty of piano.”
Prices at Ryland Place currently start from £160,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £280,000 for a two-bedroom home for those who want to purchase outright. Flexible payment options are also available to make moving even easier.
