School Garden Launch Sows Seeds of Friendship for Care Home Residents

Residents of a Dorset care home have cultivated community links with the opening of a garden at a nearby school.

Children and staff at Talbot Primary School in Poole welcomed neighbours from Colten Care’s Bourne View which is just around the corner in Langside Avenue.

The Bourne View party, including residents Kathleen Betty, Pat Tharme and Albert Langworthy, enjoyed a tour of the new space and complimented all involved in its planning and opening.

It features raised beds enabling all children to take part in gardening activities and the care of plants and flowers.

After admiring the layout of the garden and its array of vegetables, wild self-seeded flowers and mixed sunflowers, Pat said: “The displays were beautiful and it was a joy to visit such a lovely garden and see children so full of happiness.”
Albert agreed, adding: “This is such a well-tended and peaceful green space.”

Pupils have been involved in planting and nurturing the plants and flowers during the past academic year.

Some of the seeds they have planted recently were specially gifted to them from the Tower of London Superblooms display, part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Talbot School Head Teacher Kate Curtis said:
“This has been a long-term project and it is great to see it come to fruition. We are so grateful to the Talbot Village Trust for providing the funding and delighted to share this beautiful space with our children, families, and the wider community.”

Accompanying the Bourne View residents were staff from the home including Companionship Team member Brian Ramsey and Julie Steele, Customer Advisor.

Brian said: “It’s clear that a great deal of work has gone into making this garden so attractive and inspiring.
“We congratulate all at Talbot Primary School and thank them for being such great hosts.
“They even served us afternoon tea and homemade cakes which was a delightful surprise.”