Shrewsbury care home spruces up gardens

The work has seen the garden at Briarfields Residential Home, Shrewsbury, transformed, with the results of the sunflower competition taking centre stage.

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The 42-bed home in Raby Crescent is run by Coverage Care and manager Denise Morris said the residents had been keen to do their bit to improve the garden.

She said: "The residents have sown wild flower seeds on a plot outside Rosewood unit. They made a scarecrow to keep the birds away and he was obviously good at his job because all the flowers have come up and it looks beautiful."

Vicki Thomas, administrator at the home, said the residents had been delighted with the results of their efforts.

She said: "It has been a big thing this summer with a focus on improving the outdoor space and they really love it.

"We just wanted to make sure it was nice for them and for families when they are here."

Mrs Morris said the sunflower contest had been the subject of fierce competition as the home's different units battled it out for the best flower.

She said: "In the courtyard we have had a sunflower growing competition between all the units.

"We have some good specimens – Haughmond had the tallest, Greenwood had the first to flower and Haven had the most flowers on one stem.

Poor Rosewood ended up with a booby prize for the flower with the most black fly!"

Mrs Morris said the garden makeover has allowed its residents and their families to enjoy the summer sunshine, and will look good for its forthcoming summer fair.

She said: "It has been good getting the residents out to enjoy the sunshine - weather permitting!

"And it has made the garden bright and beautiful, which will be a bonus for our forthcoming summer fair that is being held on August 22."