WELLINGTON Town Council has been patting itself on the back for its work in saving two important independent living schemes from closure.

There were real fears that Ivy House and The Old Vicarage were to be closed because of a review by Abbeyfield Living Society which would have left elderly residents looking for somewhere new to live.

But the town council stepped-in and campaigned against the decision and now Abbeyfield has recently decided to keep the homes open – much to the delight of residents.

And the council’s chief executive and town clerk, Dave Farrow, said: “I think it is important to record the decision by Abbeyfield to reverse its decision to close both Ivy House and The Old Vicarage. Instead, they will now be investing in the buildings.

“This is a remarkable turnaround and vindicates the decision taken by the council when the closures were first announced to do what it could keep the homes open by ensuring residents had access to advice and support and by holding Abbeyfield to account on the information it was using to justify its decisions and the process it was following.

“Ivy House and The Old Vicarage are two of only five homes from the original list of around 42 that have not closed.”

And Mr Farrow, speaking at Wellington Town Council’s full monthly meeting on April 7, said: “This is what the town council is all about – standing up for residents, working on their behalf and getting results.”

A reprieve for Abbeyfield Wellington homes Ivy House and the Old Vicarage has been welcomed by the mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd.
A reprieve for Abbeyfield Wellington homes Ivy House and the Old Vicarage has been welcomed by the mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd. (Tindle News)

Cllr John Thorne added: “We shouldn’t underplay our role in saving Ivy House and The Old Vicarage from closure. We really do deserve a pat on the back for this one.

“We stood up and took Abbeyfield on. The whole of the town council team should be praised for this.”

Cllr Chris Penk said: “The residents are so relieved - they are so appreciative of the fact that the town council intervened over this.”

It was a year ago in April 2024 when Abbeyfield, which runs the independent living schemes in High Street and Corams Lane, had initially told the 45 residents it had made the “difficult decision” to close the homes – news which was met with widespread disapproval.

Abbeyfield's The Old Vicarage home, in High Street,
Abbeyfield's The Old Vicarage home, in High Street, Wellington. (Tindle News)

Twelve months on and councillors did seem a little bit reluctant at first to pat themselves on the back, but as they discussed Abbeyfield’s change of heart, it became more apparent to them that the council’s involvement had clearly played a part in achieving the sought-after outcome.

News of Abbeyfield’s U-turn comes at a time when the town council is going through its biggest change in its 50-year history with it taking on a number of new responsibilities as part of the devolution process from cash-strapped Somerset Council.

Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: “The achievements of the town council and the team have been amazing.”

Cllr Mike McGuffie added: “We need to thank the town clerk for all his efforts.”

Cllr Justin Cole said: “There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are very lucky to have Dave Farrow.”