Sense Of Community At Sherborne Development
Don, 80, and Elizabeth Tomlinson, 78, purchased a house in the independent-living community, based off the A30 and Horsecastles Lane, to downsize from their large family home in Sherborne where they had lived for 45 years.
The couple moved to the Platinum Skies community as they felt they were ‘rattling around’ in their last home and thought that the steep driveway could prove challenging in later years.
Elizabeth says: “We've got four children and we had been thinking about moving for years. Then one day we told our children ‘Guess what? We are moving.’ They couldn't believe it, but now they're all so pleased for us. They feel like they don't have to keep an eye on us quite so much as we're safe and secure here and they think that we're probably going to stay here forever.”
Speaking about the highlights of living in the Platinum Skies community, Don continues: “Everybody is really nice here. It may sound a bit twee, but it's a very nice place to live. Everybody's in the same boat to some extent and so we all want to be part of a community.”

Homeowners in Sherborne can enjoy a host of activities organised by the dedicated on-site community managers such as live music events, coffee mornings, gardening talks and Pilates. The Tomlinsons also host their own quiz night in the community’s onsite bistro which is well-attended and aims to bring their fellow homeowners together.
Asked what the best bit about living in the community is, Don says: “Feeling you belong to a community. That was a selling point in terms of us coming here. Being given the opportunity to be part a community and that's absolutely being delivered here.”
The Platinum Skies Sherborne independent-living village features one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in Mulberry House, and neighbouring two and three-bedroom houses in Canon Woods Close. In addition to the bistro and bar, communal facilities including an activity room, treatment room, and homeowners’ lounge.
Homes are available to buy in the Sherborne over-55s community from £130,000 with the Platinum Skies Shared Ownership option.
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