Flower Power
Our green-fingered residents have been busy preparing entries for this year’s Avery in Bloom competition, and there have been some fantastic creations. Residents at Derby Heights Care Home in Littleover planted some ‘Tea Pot Tyres’, as well as bird cages and recycled flowerpots which they have now displayed around their garden. The flowers they have chosen benefit insects and contain many nutrients for the bees.
Residents at Horse Fair Care Home in Rugeley tied their entry in with their Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, creating a Royal Welcome for visitors to the home. At Grove Park Care Home in Leeds, residents also decided to go for a Royal theme while incorporating upcycling. They considered several items before settling on handbags, which were upcycled into hanging baskets. Resident Valerie, a prize-winning gardener, advised that they needed drainage holes in the bottom of the bags to prevent root rot. The handbags were planted with red, white, and blue flowers, keeping with the patriotic theme.
At Hinckley House Care Home in Hinckley, residents created a beautiful corner in their garden for wildlife, even having a visit from some hedgehogs! Residents at Merlin Court Care Home in Marlborough got creative, creating teacup-inspired planters using decorated tyres. Connecting with members of their local community, residents at Seagrave House Care Home in Corby and Milton Court Care Home in Milton Keynes were joined by visitors from their local primary schools, who were keen to help with their creations.
Zahid Khan, Head of Well-being and Activity, said: “It has been heart-warming to see this year’s fantastic entries, and the level of creativity and fun you have all had. It has also been great to see local communities involved in many of the entries. Congratulations to all those who took part in this year’s competition!”
Creative Container
Winner: Merlin Court
Runner up: Derby Heights
Nature & Nurture
Winner: Grove Park
Runner up: Hinckley House
Best First Impression
Winner: Seagrave House
Runner up: Glenmoor House
Feeling inspired, residents at Dukes Court Care Home in Wellingborough recently tried their hands at some flower pressing. After a week, the flowers were ready to be arranged and glued into scrapbooks and onto bookmarks. Over at Astbury Manor Care Home in Bracknell, staff and residents have created a memory garden for loved ones they have sadly lost, with memory pebbles painted by residents in their arts and crafts group.
