Lynton is a shining example of how a few determined people can really make a difference.

On June 3 1967, the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt. Rev. George Reindorp, officially opened a private 'home for the elderly' at Lynton, St Leonards Road, Thames Ditton. This was the culmination of five years' work by a group of local residents, inspired and spurred on by the dynamic young curate at Thames Ditton' s St Nicholas Church, Revd Geoffrey Fraser.

In 1963, aged just 34, he was a passionate and persuasive young man, deeply devoted to his parishioners, particularly those of increasing years and infirmity. He was especially concerned to find, during his research for Christian Family Year, that many members of his flock were parted from each other and their families when they were shunted off into what were then known as 'old folk?s homes'.

Geoffrey felt that Thames Ditton should have its own unique 'home' for the elderly, where people could go if they could no longer manage at home but crucially could still live independently, with the aid of support and assistance. He convinced a group of local people to get behind just such a project and eventually to establish the charitable company Thames Ditton Homes Limited to develop and manage a new home.

The first task was to find a suitable development site, the second to find the people to create the dream. Geoffrey came across a young architect, John Deal, who at 29 was just three years into his practice, mainly designing house extensions. They hit it off immediately. Geoffrey knew John was the right person to design and implement his vision and convinced the rest of the committee to back his instinct.

A plot was secured at Lynton on St Leonards Road and work began on the design. Initially the work started as an entirely private venture, supported by St Nicholas Church, the local Congregational Church, Townswomen's Guilds and the Chamber of Commerce. However, the scale of the development meant additional support was needed and Geoffrey worked with the then Esher Urban District Council to gain government investment in the scheme.

The project cost about £60,000 - the equivalent today to about £1.5 million in 2025. (The UK average price for a detached house in 1962 was £2,500.)

Nearly 10 per cent of the cost was raised by Thames Ditton Homes Limited and the rest was covered by a 60-year mortgage from Esher Urban District Council. Local organisations played a role in getting the home ready: the common room was furnished and fitted by Surbiton Pilot Club and garden furniture and part of the laundry room was given by Weston Green Evening Townswomen?s Guild. It had also taken thousands of hours of volunteers' time over the five years from conception. Lynton was and is a sheltered housing development with on-site support. In 1967 a Mrs Julie Lewis was employed as a 'housemother', although today the role is that of Resident Manager with warden duties.

All property needs to be maintained and updated and Lynton has not stood still. The original design included shared bathrooms, common in those days. As accepted standards changed there was another period of refurbishment and development and from 1989 to 1991 which cost £650,000 and was financed by a social housing grant from the Homes and Communities Agency. This included an extension along with the creation of individual bathrooms; the site now has 15 units.

Thames Ditton Homes Limited is still run as a charity by a Management Committee of volunteers according to its original ethos; to provide housing and any associated amenities for elderly persons of limited means with a link to Thames Ditton.