This summer we have been encouraging residents to get creative in the garden with the launch of our inaugural ‘Stow in Bloom’ competition, to engage residents, families, staff and volunteers to contribute to the effort to find ‘Best in Stow’! Gardening has a tremendous impact on wellbeing and we are delighted that our residents and staff have been so engaged in designing the categories of the competition, before getting started on their entries in recent months.
With categories ranging from tallest sunflower, to best hanging basket or vegetable crop, there has been something for everyone to take part in. Residents have been busy transforming our courtyard garden with insect friendly plants and growing vegetables for our kitchen!
We replicated a real flower and produce show, with beautiful rosettes, a winner’s trophy and 3 expert judges. The judges toured all 5 Stow Healthcare homes awarding rosettes for first, second and third place entries. The winners from each home were then taken forward to be judged “Best in Stow”. After some extremely difficult decisions and much deliberation the overall winners were decided. Brandon Park was awarded “Best in Stow” for their delicious homemade quiche using fresh produce from the garden which topped the Best Edible Display Category and also their Broad Bean plant took the overall Best Fruit and Veg Plant. A last minute “Best in Stow” was awarded for all the work on a nature friendly garden attracting the Bees and Butterflies into the garden.
The event was a huge success with excitement and enthusiasm, along with some light competitive spirit. It has been a wonderful way for staff, residents and member of many local community groups to come together and enjoy all things green and getting outside to enjoy the great outdoors.
