RESIDENTS of Wellington’s two Abbeyfield houses threw a ‘thank you’ barbecue party for town councillors and others who helped save them from losing their homes.

Guests included Wellington Mayor Cllr Janet Lloyd and council chief executive Dave Farrow.

The charity announced in early 2023 it was going to close and sell-off Ivy House and the Old Vicarage, which provided more than 50 supported living flats for elderly people.

But the council fought the proposal and set up a small group, which included Cllr Lloyd, to work with the tenants to reassure them that they could not be evicted if they stayed put.

Then, in March of this year Abbeyfield relented and said it was keeping the properties and would instead invest in improvements.

Residents of both Abbeyfield properties came together in the Old Vicarage for the barbecue party, a rare occasion where the two mixed.

One resident said: “We had great weather, and everybody enjoyed themselves.

“Family members also came along.

“It was a great way to show off the Old Vicarage and to let everybody know we are not going anywhere.”

Cllr Lloyd said: “It was such a lovely afternoon meeting everybody again and seeing how relieved and happy they are now the threat of their homes being sold from under them has been lifted.

“Our councillors worked really hard on their behalf and did an amazing job standing up to Abbeyfield and we were so pleased for the residents that we were successful.

“But it was not just about the existing tenants, it was the fact we know there is a big demand in the area for accommodation like this and it would have been lost to future generations.”

Both Ivy House and the Old Vicarage have vacant flats which can now be advertised for people to take up.