Westgate in Bloom Competition Winners
Westgate Healthcare’s summer gardening competition, Westgate in Bloom, celebrates its winners as the care homes receive prizes for their category wins.
The fourth year of the gardening competition came to an end early August as Westgate Healthcare judges; Justine Charlesworth (Lifestyle Manager) and Peter Johns (Regional Maintenance) inspected each category entry.
This year there were two categories to enter; Grow the biggest marrow and Create an English Country Garden.
Grow the biggest marrow
In April 2023, each home was given a marrow sapling, grown by our every own COO Deborah Christian. The home teams were challenged to grow the biggest marrow, which would be judged on weight, span and length. Each sapling was given a name for our residents, team members and families to nurture and grow.
Unfortunately some of the homes marrow magic did not work, but there was a close competition between Mabel from Byron House Care Home and Mildred.
Many congratulations to St Pauls Care Centre as Mildred pipped in at the post, weighing in at 2.649kg, 15.5” in length and with a span of 14.5”.
The residents, team and family members from Hemel Hempstead took great care in nurturing Mildred, watering and talking to her every day and giving her the best conditions to grow.
Residents even gave Mildred a Westgate “About Me Book” offering an opportunity to get to know her likes and dislikes.
Lucy Wright, Head of Activities said “This competition has changed everyone as a group – bringing the team much closer together. Residents are thoroughly enjoying the new allotment area, we managed to grow three large marrows and are very proud Marrow Mums.”
Create an English Country Garden
Westgate homes were also invited to take part in designing and creating an English Country Garden no more than 1m x 2m using only recycled, upcycled or donated goods as part of Westgate Healthcare’s sustainability drive Westgate Go Green.
Homes quickly got down to work by speaking to their residents, asking friends, families, schools and local businesses to get involved. The entries were judged on their creativity and initiative, alongside the evidence showcasing residents’ involvement from start to finish of the project.
Each home created its own magical area for residents to enjoy.
Congratulations to the winner Riverdale Care Home, in Braintree whereby residents created a beautiful raised flowerbed, water feature and seating area in their courtyard.
The evidence submission showed the development and progress of the display, and the pride and joy that the project brought to the residents.
Renata Sulugiuc, Home Manager, said “We cannot thank our residents, family and team members enough for coming together to create such a wonderful cottage garden, seeing them interact and be able to talk to the judges about their involvement is testament to how much gardening can stimulate and give so much joy to all.”
Justine Charlesworth, Lifestyle Manager at Westgate Healthcare, said:
“Pete and I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone involved in making this year’s Westgate in Bloom amazing. It was a pleasure to be part of the judging. Everyone’s hard work was evident and the judging was not easy. It was lovely to see how much the residents enjoyed being part of Westgate in Bloom and how this led to more team members and residents being involved in gardening and has also led to some now growing their own produce! New talents and passions have been discovered!”
Tara Teubner, Westgate Healthcare Director, said:
“Huge congratulations to all the participants and, of course, to our fabulous winners! It all looks spectacular and most importantly, like lots of fun was had by all.”
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