Ready, steady, grow…
Our group of Care Homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex were ‘game’ for the latest group competition at the end of July – the Nellsar Olympic Garden Competition.
Launched in time for the start of the Paris Olympics, Recreation and Well-Being Manager, Viv, invited our Care Homes’ team to get involved: “This year’s Paris Olympics is sure to be a fantastic showcase of speed, strength, and agility, and we know many of our residents and team members will enjoy watching lots of events taking place between 26 July to 11 August. To celebrate this and to get our gardens ‘in shape’ for the summer, we are launching our Nellsar Olympic Garden Competition for those who want to take part. The idea is to create an Olympic-themed garden display to impress our judges. Why not incorporate the Olympic rings or flag, the Olympic torch, or pay tribute to any of the amazing sports on show, or even a Parisian theme?! Get creative with your residents as you enjoy planting and watering through the summer!”
The results are in!
Our winners and runners-up were announced yesterday, Monday 5 August, by Viv: “I am pleased to announce the results of the Olympic Garden Competition for which we had nine FANTASTIC and very creative entries! So, a massive WELL DONE to you all. We had The Eiffel Tower, Olympic Rings, Olympic vegetables growing, podiums and medals galore! I mentioned that I had very important guest to judge this competition, and I am pleased to announce that the Duchess – aka my lovely Mum – did the judging. In her words “They are all marvellous! How can I possibly choose?” It took her about three hours, but she got there in the end! She honestly thinks you are MARVELLOUS, and you are! I have been blown away by your creativity and the way in which you have our residents at the heart of everything.”
Winners never quit, and quitters never win
Congratulations to our winners and runners up
1st Prize – Abbotsleigh – winning £250 in garden centre vouchers It was lovely to see so many residents enjoying being in the garden. They made use of the front, back and side of the garden (which is huge!) making an Olympic podium which the residents loved sitting on with their medals. They also made Olympic rings that glow in the dark in the Olympic colours, and to top it off, they created a magnificent flagpole display at the front of the Home; it can be seen from all the lounges and the residents play guess the country!
2nd Prize – Sonya Lodge – winning £150 in garden centre vouchers It was fabulous to see all the residents and team members taking part in making their Olympic garden! Together, they created a French Flag flower bed, plus team members and some family members painted their hands in Olympic colours and decorated the garden table. The huge Olympic ring was suspended above the table and the whole garden was awash with flags.
3rd Prize – Woodstock – winning £100 in garden centre vouchers The residents at Woodstock created an Olympic wall in their garden by painting their hands and placing handprints in and around the Olympic rings! They also decorated recycled hub caps to add colour. This stunning creation can be seen from inside and out in the garden.
Runner Up – Hengist field The residents at Hengist Field painted and decorated a vintage shopper bike with red, white and blue flowers. They also made and painted Olympic rings with tassels, which are taking pride-of-place in the courtyard garden – which is also decorated with Olympic flags for everybody to enjoy!
Runner Up – Loose Valley The residents at Loose Valley chose to do something slightly different and created an Olympic gardening club! They have been growing flowers and vegetables from seedlings, sharing their knowledge, and giving advice to each other. After an amazing effort, the winning plants and vegetables were picked, and everyone received an Olympic medal.
Runner Up – Lukestone The residents and team members at Lukestone have been busy crafting away, making Olympic rings from coloured tissue paper. They also planted plants to represent the Olympic torch, which were placed alongside the Olympic flag in their wonderful garden.
Runner Up – Lulworth House The residents and team members at Lulworth House have transformed their garden coffee shop into a Parisienne bistro! Très jolie! They also made flower containers from old tyres that they painted and filled with red, white and blue flowers. Finally, they made a huge Lulworth sign for the garden!
Runner Up – The Old Downs The residents at The Old Downs celebrated the opening of the Olympic games by planting their own Olympic garden; they made and decorated the Olympic rings and helped with the theme and design of the garden.
Runner Up – Princess Christian The residents at Princess Christian started by planting flowerpots in the Olympic colours. They also made an Olympic torch in craft club and combined it with lots of colourful flags to make a mini Olympic village.
