WORK to build a £1-million extension to a residential lodge in Tavistock is planned to start later this year. Abbeyfield Tavistock Society last week announced it is hoping to start extending its Drake Lodge in Plymouth Road this October — followed a year later by the refurbishment of the remaining rooms. Society members attended a meeting at the lodge on July 10. In attendance were Abbeyfield Society chairman Michael Staff and new chief executive Paul Allen, together with district chairman George Stringer. Plans for the extension were discussed in detail and the visitors met residents, staff and volunteers. The funding has been provided by grants from the Housing Association and West Devon Borough Council. The sale of the Abbeyfield House at Woburn Lodge, Plymouth Road, will also be used to subsidise the extension. The residents at number 13 Woburn Lodge will be moved into Drake Lodge. David Rees, secretary of Abbeyfield Tavistock Society, said the building currently had 14 rooms but once the extension was complete it would have 18 purpose-built rooms, all with modern facilities. He said: 'We are all delighted we have the chance to modernise our property and make it more comfortable for our residents. We hope to start work in October/November this year. The work will take around a year to complete.' The Abbeyfield Society was founded in 1956 in Bermondsey to combat loneliness through the provision of sheltered accommodation. There are now more than 600 societies in the UK with about 1,000 houses and 9,000 residents, covered by about 12,000 volunteers. In Tavistock the society's Drake Lodge was opened in 1979 and Woburn followed in 1983. Its objective is to provide accommodation for older people so they can come together to live in a friendly, family atmosphere in their own community, run by a volunteer. Only one room is available at the moment. For more information call Woburn Lodge on 01822 616757 or 01822 614252.
