Residents threw a summer barbecue for the over-55s community's 10th year, joined by Town Mayor Kevin Pughe and MP Alex Mayer. More follows in November.

Residents at Greenfields, the later living community in Leighton Buzzard, have celebrated its 10th anniversary year with a summer barbecue. The new Town Mayor of Leighton-Linslade, Cllr Kevin Pughe, joined the party.

The event was organised by the residents themselves. It brought together people living at Greenfields with their families, friends and neighbours, including residents from the neighbouring Roman Gate estate.

The afternoon included:

  • a performance by local award-winning choir The Wing Singers, who opened the celebrations
  • food, music, stalls and raffles organised by residents
  • a stall from the charity Dogs for Good, run by regular visitor Annie and her trainee assistance dog Vespa, a six-month-old retriever labrador cross
  • a visit from former Town Mayor Cllr David Bligh

Ahead of the party, Alex Mayer, the MP whose constituency covers Leighton Buzzard, visited Greenfields to meet residents and help put up decorations.

“The joy on people’s faces says it all”

The barbecue was organised by Jude, who has lived at Greenfields with her husband Stewart since it first opened. She came up with the idea at Christmas.

“I wanted to get everyone together just like I did when I organised the King’s Coronation celebration and then our VE Day celebrations,” she said. “I find it very cathartic and I seem to have very good organisational skills.

“The birthday celebration was a fantastic day that brought together many of our community and residents from the neighbouring Roman Gate estate. We all had a wonderful time. I hope to continue to organise events here as the joy on people’s faces says it all to me.”

Town Mayor Cllr Kevin Pughe with residents at the Greenfields anniversary celebration
Town Mayor Cllr Kevin Pughe at the Greenfields celebration. Photo: supplied by Peabody

Cllr Pughe, who was elected Town Mayor for 2026-27 in May, said it was “a pleasure to attend the event at Greenfields and provide a little bit of support on the day”.

Ten years of Greenfields

Greenfields is home to more than 90 people across 82 apartments. It provides later living homes for people aged over 55 with a local connection, with care and support available for those who need it.

The community is managed by the not-for-profit housing association Peabody. It was built by Aldwyck Housing before becoming part of Catalyst and later Peabody, and officially opened in November 2016. Its cafe, restaurant and salon are open to the wider community.

Iain Shaw, Peabody’s Director of Care and Support for Specialist Housing, joined the celebration. “A huge thank you to all the residents who helped make the event such a success,” he said. “It was wonderful to celebrate together and see the sense of friendship and community that has made Greenfields such a welcoming place to live over the past 10 years.”

A second celebration, organised by Peabody, is planned for November. It will mark 10 years since Greenfields officially opened. We will share details once dates are confirmed.

Sources

  • Peabody press release and supplied photography, 26 August 2026, for the event details, quotes and community facts.
  • Leighton-Linslade Town Council: The Mayor, for Cllr Kevin Pughe’s election as Town Mayor for 2026-27 on 18 May 2026.