An active retirement for Peter

After more than fifteen years as a resident in the retirement community, he’s proved that slowing down is not in his vocabulary. At 84 years of age, Peter has a determination to keep his mind sharp. “I’ve played a significant role with the community’s Victorian homestead, and I also stay busy with pétanque, five crowns card games, chair yoga twice a week, and bowling on the new Village Green.” 

Arvida Lauriston Park itself took eight years and seven stages to build, and Peter watched it take shape, impressed by the lively spirit that soon filled its streets. Having moved just 400 metres from his previous home, he traded the never-ending upkeep for a vibrant community where residents pitch in, run activities themselves, and bring energy to every day.

Originally from Yorkshire, Peter has spent 56 years embracing New Zealand life and is still active in the wider Cambridge community too. He writes the ‘Age of Reason’ regular column for the Cambridge News, organises meetings with local councillors, has chaired on the Board for Fieldays, and even taken an interest in the Chamber of Commerce. 

Peter says the village is a true melting pot of residents, “We’ve got some people who don’t want to take part, some who do their own thing and others who like to get involved.” Friendships are at the heart of Peter and wife Robyn’s village life. They have a few friends who make a point of driving each other to the airport when they go on cruise holidays, they really look out for each other.

“I firmly believe people come into villages late, they come in after they’ve turned 80. Myself and Robyn came into the village much earlier to have time to enjoy it,” he adds.

For anyone who thinks retirement means slowing down, Peter Carr stands as proof that age is just a number and activity is a way of life at Lauriston Park in Cambridge.