The Village, as it is affectionately known, was first occupied in 1968 by a few cottage residents, (situated around the area of the bowls clubhouse) and social pensioners housed in single rooms in what was known as Azalea House or "Main Complex". This is today Azalea Gardens. By 1971 there were 47 one bedroom cottages primarily sold to sponsors on the Life Right scheme. Today the village has 421 cottages and flats, occupied by approximately 580 residents. Within the grounds of the Village of Happiness is Hibiscus Heights, a six storey building. Within Hibiscus Heights there are 54 flats and an 80-bed frail care facility with a clinic for short-term nursing or post-operative recovery. The outpatients department on the ground floor provides for medical checks and dressing changes. Within the Village and Hibiscus Heights are to be found many activities, sports and amenities in which we would like you to get involved or use for your benefit. Most of the activities are conducted on a club arrangement with a small membership fee.

Cottages and Flats: The Village of Happiness has 1 and 2 bedroom units as well as bed sitters. There are 421 cottages and flats in the Village of Happiness which are all sold on the basis of "Life Right".

Residents are encouraged to develop gardens around their cottages. The Society employs a garden service to mow lawns and trim edges. Panic Buttons: Residents are provided with "Panic" buttons for use in any kind of emergency. Help is immediate. Click to view pictures of cottages.

Church Services: Services conducted by various denominations are held in the Good Samaritan Chapel. The chapel is open 24 hours a day for private devotions. The church notice board has the times of services and other activities in the chapel.

Hairdresser: Salon Beryl is open Tuesday to Friday from 7am - 12 noon. The salon is found in Hibiscus Heights on the ground floor. The salon is unisex, for appointments phone 039 312 5000.

Salon Renee is open Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30am - 13:00. The salon is found in the Ronnie Baker Hall.

Libraries: Azalea Library is open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 12:30 and then again from Monday to Fridays 14:30 - 16:30.

Hibiscus Heights Library is open Tuesdays 14:00 - 16:00 and Thursdays 09:00 - 11:00.

The library is affiliated to the Natal Provincial Library Service and is run and staffed by the Society. Many of the books in the library are purchased through funds made available for this purpose by the RAC, the Society, and from donations collected from users of the service.

Post Office: The post office is found in the administration building. The post office is open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 12:00 excluding Public Holidays. All normal post office transactions except savings accounts, money orders and posting of COD's are done at the post office.

The Coffee Shop: The coffee shop serves teas and refreshments, including lunches and take aways. It is opposite the Azalea Library, and is open Mondays to Fridays 09:00 - 14:00.

Laundry: Cottage residents' personal laundry can be laundered in Hibiscus Heights by arrangement with the Laundry Manager. Laundry is collected on a Tuesday and returned on a Thursday.

Meals: Residents may arrange to have meals in the Hibiscus Heights dining room at the tariff charged.

Village Bus: To Ramsgate Village, Hibiscus Mall, Checkers/ Standard Bank Margate. Pick 'n Pay/ Shelly Centre and South Coast Mall. For times see Notice Boards. Note: No Village Bus Service over Weekends or on Public Holidays.

Village Mini-Bus: To Provincial Hospital, Port Shepstone and various local specialist clinics. This service only by arrangement through Outpatients Sister.

Margate Mini-Coach Service: Daily to and from Durban or Wild Coast Casino on the same day. For times and bookings telephone (039) 312 1406 from 08:30 - 16:00.

Margate Airport: The Village will provide transport to the airport if booked in advance. This service is only provided during office hours.

Art Club: Ronnie Baker Hall, Tom Millward Room. Thursdays 14:30 - 16:00. A professional artist is at your beck and call for instruction and help at Art School. All welcome, especially novices.

Association of Retired Persons and Pensioners (A.R.P.&P.): Ronnie Baker Hall, 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10:00.

Badminton: Ronnie Baker Hall, Mondays 17:00 - 20:00 and Thursdays 14:15 - 17:00.

Bridge: Duplicate Bridge at Hibiscus Heights on Tuesdays 13:15.Rubber Bridge at Hibiscus Heights on Thursdays 13:15.Bridge can be played daily by arrangement, at Hibiscus Heights on the Ground floor.

Busy Bees: Ronnie Baker Hall, Tom Millward Room. Wednesdays from 08:30 - 10:30 for a chat and tea, and contributions to sale-of-work.

Chess Club: Ronnie Baker Hall on Mondays from 13:30 - 17:30

Indoor Bowls Club: Ronnie Baker Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 13:30 - 15:30.

Movement To Music: Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:15 at the Ronnie Baker Hall. Also at Hibiscus Heights Wednesdays at 09:00. A stimulating period of fun and relaxation.

Playreaders Group: Shows are staged regularly by this group of residents. If you are a novice interested in drama or a professional, this society wants to hear from you.

Snooker Club: Snooker Room in Candlewood. Contact Ken Miller, (039) 312 5349

Swimming Pool: The Swimming pool is adjacent to the Ronnie Baker Hall. Visitors are welcome to make use of the pool, but they must be accompanied by a resident. The donation box is for funds to provide for chemicals for the pool.

Table Tennis: Found in the Bauhinia Gardens Basement games room.

Two Hundred Club: (Sweepstake Club) This sweepstake club is a source of income for the RAC and they encourage you to join in order to increase the value and level of the prizes.

Yoga Exercise: Ronnie Baker Hall. Monday and Friday 09:15 - 10:15. Stimulate both the mind and the body, join the yoga group for regular exercise.

Village Bowling Club: The Village Bowling Club was expanded to a two Green Club with a new clubhouse in 1996 due to a generous donation from the late Munro Mackay. See notice board for Bowling Club details.

Jukskei Club: Adjacent to the Ronnie Baker Hall and swimming pool. Wednesdays 9:30 and Thursday 3:00.

"Village Chatter": The newsletter published by the RAC with information and articles about the Society. This publication has all the coming events listed and will keep you up to date with the goings on in the village and Hibiscus Frail Care.

Village Entertainments: A committee of the RAC which co-ordinates and arranges entertainment in the Village in both the Ronnie Baker and Azalea Halls. This committee is always on the look out for new acts and ideas.

The Village Shop: This shop is situated in the Ronnie Baker Hall complex and sells many articles such as jewellery, books, knitted jerseys, trinkets and many other items. The shop is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 08:30 - 11:00, and Saturdays 08:30 - 10:00.