PETAL power has propelled staff and residents at a North East care home into first place in a competition – for the second year running.
Manicured lawns, well maintained borders and a profusion of pots and hanging baskets, once again secured Heatherfield Care Home, Cramlington, the top spot in North Tyneside in Bloom 2015.
And the 74-bedroom home’s success in the annual competition’s Residential Care and Sheltered Accommodation category was down in no small part to the residents, many of whom regularly help tend the gardens.
Terry Bell, 82, from Gateshead, is one of a small and dedicated group who help the home’s three-strong team of gardeners keep the beds, borders and baskets in perfect condition.
He said: “It gives me a lot of pleasure to see residents and their visitors enjoying my handiwork in the garden and, when everything is in bloom, it really lifts my spirits and makes me happy.
“I especially enjoy the weeding and each year I look forward to the summer so I can get out in the garden more regularly. It’s amazing how big the gardens are and there are always new types of plant to look at and learn about.”
Heatherfield Care Home, part of the Prestwick Care Group, has now won the award four times and Atul Malhotra, director of operations for its Newcastle-based parent company Malhotra Group plc said: “We are delighted to have once again won first place.
“Everyone at Heatherfield is very proud – and rightly so – of their gardens and a lot of hard work and care go into keeping them beautiful all year round.
“We have seen at first hand over the years how much pleasure our residents get from helping out and how beneficial it is for them to get fresh air and exercise – gardening lifts their spirits and the results of their hard work certainly lift ours.”
For further information about Heatherfield Care Home, call 0191 250 4848 or visitwww.prestwickcare.co.uk/heatherfield.