Sep 2021
Gorgeous gardens and spectacular planters selected as Trust in Bloom winners
Team with Award certificates, (l-r) Resident Judith Green, Deputy Manager Lynne Donaldson with ACs Patrycja Chojnecka, Beata McLean and Sarah Davis.
Green fingered residents and care teams in eighteen care homes run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) proved their gardening credentials by taking top prizes in this summer’s Trust in Bloom, an annual garden competition run by the organisation. In addition to the category winners, 22 special commendations were awarded.
Trust in Bloom is a gardening competition open to all OSJCT care homes and judged by its trustees. Each home could enter in any, or all, of seven categories which included Best Activity in the Garden and Best Front Garden.
The overall Trust-wide champion 2021 was Monkscroft Care Centre, in Cheltenham, which came top in Gloucestershire in the Best Overall Grounds and Gardens, and the Best Miniature Garden categories. The home created a recycled garden, a dementia area, and a gentleman’s shed. Numerous residents and volunteers took part in these gardening projects and the home received substantial donations from several sources.
Monkscroft Care Centre Deputy Manager, Lynne Donaldson, said: “Everyone here is thrilled to win this accolade and we’d like to thank everyone who was involved. It’s really wonderful to have these unique and inspired spaces that delight our residents.”
Other regional winners were Madley Park House in Witney, Oxfordshire, Marden Court in Calne, Wiltshire, and Boultham Park House in Lincoln.
Madley Park’s gardens have been tended by dedicated volunteer, Brian Webb, who has transformed the garden over the last 10 years.
Marden Court has two lovely seating areas, one on the patio surrounded by stunning planters and hanging baskets created by the residents, the other under the trees where the residents can enjoy watching the wildlife.
Boultham Park were in contention for every Trust in Bloom category in Lincolnshire. The home has a welcoming and colourful front garden, and a rear garden that wouldn’t look out of place in Homes and Gardens magazine.
Mike Stredder, Operations Director, said: “Across all counties the judges were blown away by the standard of the entries and the hard work and dedication that had gone into each of the gardens.”