Care Provider Honours Gifted Gardeners

Care provider and charity, The Fremantle Trust, showcased green-fingered talent across its care homes and learning disability services in the region, with the return of its Fremantle in Bloom initiative.

Set up to recognise the importance of the natural habitat, Fremantle in Bloom brings together residents, tenants, families and employees with a shared passion for horticulture. The Trust hosted a picnic and awards presentation at its Barnet-based care home, Apthorp Care Centre, following a series of regional heats.

Chief executive Steve Flanagan presented awards and certificates to winners and runners up following an overwhelming response across the seven categories; Floral Garden, Balcony Display, Gardener of the Year, Gardening Team, Vegetable Garden, Hanging Basket and Window Sill Display.

With an excellent standard of competition, the regional heats were judged by a combination of residents, senior team members at The Fremantle Trust and Trustee, Alan Howard.

Commenting on the event, Karen White, Gardener of the Year at Lewin House, said: “I’m really thrilled to have earned this title. I’m a keen gardener and think the competition is a lovely way of inspiring everyone to get involved and help bring colour and beautiful blooms to the environment we live in.”

Steve Flanagan, chief executive of The Fremantle Trust, added: “So many of our residents and members of our team are passionate about gardening so we’ve drawn on the success of our debut Fremantle in Bloom initiative last year to encourage people to showcase their talent. The result is some magnificent submissions that have transformed living spaces and showed real innovation and creativity.”