Godalming care home team and residents celebrate official opening of new community garden

A Godalming care home team and residents have helped to launch a new community garden.

 

Angie Bookham, Home Manager at Care UK’s Broadwater Lodge, on Summers Road, was invited to deliver a speech and cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Farncombe Community Garden, situated directly next to the home, after supporting the project from the very start.

Farncombe Community Garden is a not-for-profit organisation which took on a lease for a previously unused piece of land back in 1994, where a group of volunteers worked together to create a beautiful outdoor space for the community to enjoy.

Angie, along with the team and residents at Broadwater Lodge, jumped at the chance to help support the group with its latest project – the building of a community space where the local community can gather, enjoy coffee and hold events. Angie and the Broadwater Lodge team, along with residents, donated funds from a previous benefactor.

The new garden is set to enhance the local community and provide residents with a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy, and there are already plans to create an accessible route linking the garden to Broadwater Lodge to ensure that all residents, regardless of mobility, can easily visit.

The Farncombe Community Garden team was so grateful for Angie’s support that she was asked to name the garden’s new central building. She chose the name ‘Lambert Lodge’ to honour the memory of Caroline Lambert, her late friend and district nurse who spent a lot of time supporting Broadwater Lodge and the community and sadly passed away a couple of years ago.

Angie’s moving opening speech was delivered in the form of a poem, creating a very meaningful moment for everyone in attendance, especially for Caroline’s family, who were present at the opening.

Commenting on the opening, Angie said: “We’re proud to support Farncombe Community Garden project. This opening is an incredible achievement and a testament to their commitment to creating a beautiful open space for our community.

“At Broadwater Lodge, we understand the positive benefits that being out in nature can have on mental wellbeing, as well as encouraging physical activity. The residents are looking forward to spending more time in the garden and enjoying the sunshine there.”