A Broadstairs retirement home has joined forces with a national older person’s charity.

Buckmaster House has merged with The Abbeyfield Society, but will continue to operate in the same way as before, with the backing of a national organisation as it becomes part of the ‘Abbeyfield family’.

Steeped in history, the house was purpose-built and opened in 1895 by Jane Buckmaster as a charity to provide a recuperation for ladies in Brixton.

Though its use has changed over the years, it has provided people with a place to live ever since, combining the grace of an era past with all the conveniences of the present.

Anna Humphries, Abbeyfield’s divisional director for the east of England, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bring Buckmaster House on board and into the Abbeyfield family.

“It is a fantastic home, fully embodying our ethos of openness, honesty, caring and respect and we are looking forward to working with them to carry on providing a place in which older people can continue to enjoy their lives.”

The Abbeyfield Society too has humble beginnings, establishing in 1956 by former Coldstream Guards officer Richard Carr-Gomm when he was shocked at the epidemic of loneliness facing the older people in Bermondset.

The charity now has more than 500 homes and houses across the UK and has recently celebrated 61 years of providing housing, support and companionship for the community’s older people.

Sir Alistair Hunter, chair of trustees at Buckmaster House, said: “The decision to end Buckmaster’s independent status after more than 120 years has not been taken lightly.

“But care for the elderly is changing, and our trustees concluded that keeping this wonderful house up-to-date and fit for purpose required more resources and a wider knowledge of the industry than are available to a small independent charity.

“We have confidence that Abbeyfield will operate it in the same spirit which has won so many admirers over the years, and will preserve the Buckmaster heritage.”