Dave Nicholls is a septuagenarian who has now lived at Pegasus Court in Taunton for one year now and the lock up and leave lifestyle has changed his life he has a passion for bowling. Not just any bowling - Dave is a coach and partner for Visually Impaired Bowls Players. He has been an avid player for many years, but now uses his own eyesight and experience to guide players with reduced sight.
He says: "I have been a bowls player for 15 years, but now I really enjoy being a guide and coach for the visually impaired. My job is to stand next to the player and tell them how far they need to bowl and, using traditional clock face references, help them aim their ball. The player also has a string that is stretched towards their mark so they can feel where their shot should go. So, my instruction could be "your last bowl came to rest 2 yards at 10 o'clock", they will feel the string and adjust their delivery.
"There are tournaments all over the country, in fact, last weekend there were 24 teams of three from 10 West Country clubs in a tournament in Bridgewater. I have also been lucky enough to go Australia and South Africa for international competitions so this new hobby is taking me to places I could never have dreamed of going to. But I can only do all this now that I live at Pegasus Court because I don't have to worry about the security of my home or the upkeep of a garden while I am away. Now I simply pack my bags, lock my front door and leave knowing that my home will be safe. This peace of mind has changed my life!" he adds.
Debbi Hopkinson, Pegasus development sales manager, comments: "We have a lovely community here and our owners have very varied interests, but they all look out for each other and our estate manager, Heather also checks the owners' apartments when they are away and make sure everything is okay. As the apartments are all self contained and have balconies, our owners have their privacy, but the Owners' Lounge and Roof Garden have a lively atmosphere when they get together to swap stories, watch the cricket or play a quiet game of cards. If someone over 55 is looking for a lock up and leave lifestyle, or to buy now for weekends until they are ready to live here full time, I would recommend they come and see us."
There are 65 apartments at Pegasus Court in Taunton and prices start from £209,950. The show apartments are open Tuesday - Saturday, 10.30am - 4.30pm. Please telephone to make an appointment on 01823 252833.
This picture was taken at the recent The international bowling for the disabled world championships held in Pretoria, South Africa. Terry Mathews, a partially sighted bowler from Yeovil, Somerset has just delivered his bowl. David Nicholls is watching to see its final position when it comes to rest. The man in the green shirt is from South Africa who went on to win the gold medal. Terry finished, with David's help, in 3rd place to win the Bronze medal.
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