Green-fingered club members inspired by Bury in Bloom competition

Home news

Aug 24, 2015

The successful Senior Green Fingers competition, which was part of this year’s Bury in Bloom, has inspired a group of older people in Bury St Edmunds to rediscover their love of gardening and the great outdoors.

Davers Club members have continued to experience the benefits of gardening after winning the ‘Community Involvement’ award in the Senior Green Fingers competition. The group were commended for their work with pupils from the neighbouring Priory School, who helped to get the garden ready for Bury in Bloom. School pupils joined with Club members to plant sensory flower beds, paint colourful bird boxes, decorate plant pots and build bug hotels to attract more wildlife into the garden.

John Edwards, home manager at Davers Court, the care home adjacent to the club said: “The competition has really inspired both residents and Club members to rediscover their love of gardening, as well connect with the outdoors and share their gardening tips with the younger generation. We’re thrilled with the end result – the garden is now a wonderful place where residents and Club members can get closer to nature and spend time with loved ones. We’re very thankful to the Priory School for all their help and we hope to continue sharing our special garden with them.”

The Davers Club received a £50 voucher prize for their involvement in the Bury in Bloom competition. The prize will be spent on bringing nature indoors for all to enjoy, by introducing more indoor plants and herbs.

As well as winning the ‘Community Involvement’ award, Davers Court hosted the final judging and award presentations of the Senior Green Fingers competition. The competition, which was trialled by Bury in Bloom for the first time this year, received overwhelming feedback from all involved and will be making a return in 2016. The aim of the competition is to encourage older people in Bury St Edmunds to keep active and enjoy the benefits of spending more time outdoors, particularly for those living with dementia.