THERE’S no slowing down Joy Lennard. Many say it’s important to keep active in later life and that’s certainly something Joy has taken to heart.
Now aged 93, the former business owner is preparing to move into her fourth new home in just under four years – within the same Dunchurch retirement village.
Joy moved to Lime Tree Village in 2012 and after living in three different homes, she is now switching to a newly built cottage early next year.
She explained: “I keep fancying a change. I’ve had two cottages and now an apartment and in February I’ll be moving into one of the new cottages in the Polo Field village extension.
“I think I’ve got a bit of a reputation in the village for always being on the move, but after an apartment overlooking the croquet lawn, I now fancy a cottage with my own patio to step out onto. You’re never too old to move home and being happy and enjoying life is what it’s all about!”
Lime Tree Village manager Malvenia Richmond said Joy was a record-breaker.
She told The Observer: “Joy’s fourth move within the village will be a first for us, we have had people move from one property to another but never four times. Joy’s philosophy of life is for living is a brilliant way to be.”
Together with her husband Gordon, the pair arrived in Rugby in the 1960s when they relocated their up and coming business JP Lennard – a global supplier of swimming products.
As soon as the business seemed to be taking off, Gordon died suddenly, leaving Joy with two teenage sons and a business to run. Joy set aside her grief to meet the challenge head-on, travelling across Europe to meet suppliers and build connections.
She was not only successful in supporting the business before her sons Nigel and David took over, she was also responsible for its growth into the multi-million-pound success it is today.
The namesake company JP Lennard is now one of the main suppliers of swimming products – most notably swimming lanes – which they provided for the Olympic pool at London 2012.
Joy eventually retired in her 80s and now enjoys a quieter life at Lime Tree Village, but still finds plenty of time for shopping trips and even more property searching.
Joy even turned her remarkable life story into a book, entitled Living the Dream, available on request from the Lime Tree Village. Call 01788 522255 for more information.
