Oswestry residential home to close

One of Oswestry's longest established residential homes is to close. Only two residents, both in their 80s, remain at Abbeyfield House in Vyrnwy Place.

One, 87-year-old Kathleen Wilson, said there had been a lot of tears shed over the news.

Mrs Wilson has been at Abbeyfield House for two and a half years after moving from Hull to be closer to her son.

"I love it here," she said. "I am sad about the news and I don't want to go. I would love to stop here."

Linda Davies, 85, will now move to Shrewsbury.

"I am so sorry it is closing," she said. "The residents here were great and so are the staff. I don't want to go."

The home opened 30 years ago this month.

Manager Angela Davis said the decision to close was made because there were not enough people moving into the nine-room sheltered accommodation.

She said: "We will be closing but don't know when as yet. We couldn't continue because it wasn't viable.

"Abbeyfield House really is a lovely place but we couldn't get any residents in. It is very sad and I am going to miss the residents."

Abbeyfield bosses will visit the home on November 5.

Samantha Alleyne, from Abbeyfield, said over the last 10 years the demand for sheltered housing had fallen, adding: "Residents are the main priority for Abbeyfield and we do not take the decision lightly.

"However, the continuing operation of failing houses puts financial pressure on the organisation and subsequently other houses around the country.

"Abbeyfield House is designed for nine residents but is severely under-occupied meaning that our charity's key mission of alleviating loneliness is not being achieved."