Doris Davis has gone back to live in her old school building more than half-a-century later.

She and husband Arthur have lived in London’s East End all their lives, but had to move out when their old home became part of Poplar’s regeneration area around the Blackwall Tunnel.

They didn’t want to go too far away. Just a mile down the road, Gallions Housing Association was developing 53 homes at St Anne’s Row in Limehouse—which included Doris’s old school she went to six decades ago.

It seemed like it was ‘meant to be’ when the couple, who have been married 56 years, were offered a new home in the converted building.

“It’s a great feeling to live in the same place I once went to school in,” said Doris. “Now that doesn’t happen everyday.”

Doris and Arthur were welcomed into their new home last Wednesday by Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman and Gallions’ chief Tony Cotter to celebrate the opening of the development.

The school building has been completely refurbished and includes energy-saving photovoltaic panels and pumps using heat from the air to provide warmth and hot water. The properties are available on a ‘rent to buy’ or intermediate rent basis.