Residents at
HC-One’s Kings Court Care Home in Middlebeck, Newark, Nottinghamshire, embarked on an exciting adventure after exploring the nearby Middlebeck development site with a unique Land Rover experience organised by Urban & Civic.
The event offered a rare opportunity for residents to witness the transformation of their local area and learn about the ambitious vision for the growing community. Urban & Civic, the company overseeing the Middlebeck development, welcomed residents Walter South (Wally), Edward Furlong-Taylor (Eddie), and Brian Patton, accompanied by Catherine, Front of House Manager, and Matt, a carer from Kings Court.
The group set off in two Jeeps from the Hawton entrance of the building site, where new homes are under construction by builders such as Miller Homes and Bellway. The hour-long tour took residents along the newly constructed Southern Link Road, connecting the A1 to the A46.
The residents explored both the completed stretch, not yet open to the public, and the ongoing construction linking Hawton to the A46. Simon Murphy, Community Development Lead at Urban & Civic, guided the tour with Nathan Reid, one of the project managers.
They shared insights into the £100 million road project, innovative drainage systems designed for the flood-prone area, and the broader vision for Middlebeck, which emphasises community engagement, green spaces, and essential amenities.
Simon Murphy, Community Development Lead at Urban & Civic, said:
“It was lovely to see our guests so engaged and interested, and they asked some searching questions! This kind of activity underpins the importance we place here at Middlebeck of building good relationships with our neighbours and being a positive force in the community.
“We hope to continue to work in partnership with the Kings Court team in the future.”
Wally South, a 15-year Newark resident originally from Coventry, remarked:
“It was an enjoyable trip out. I marvelled at the amount of road works that have been produced.
“It’s brilliant that the home was able to organise this trip. We often go out around the local area to the lake, which is great.”
Brian Patton, originally from Bathley, found the experience invigorating:
“It’s amazing for me to explore this area of Newark. The sophistication they’re achieving for the site and the population is remarkable. The new roads will help ease traffic during busy periods.
“Kings Court has given me the opportunity to continue to do things like this, which gives me a boost of energy.”
Eddie Furlong-Taylor, HC-One's Kings Court resident, added:
“I recognised where I was and the driver did a brilliant job to explain everything along the way, and all in all it was an enjoyable trip.”
The residents, particularly those with deep ties to Newark, were thrilled to be among the first to travel the new road. A former volunteer at Newark’s Air Museum, Brian expressed enthusiasm for future outings.