A bee busily enjoying the rich nectar from a chive in the garden.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed,
and to have my senses put in order”.
(John Burroughs, Naturalist)
Welcome to Wardington House’s latest newsletter.
The garden is such a wonderful experience for the senses at the moment. Purple is the popular flowering colour at the moment with so many different, vibrant, eye-catching shades and shapes. You then have the gorgeous intriguing smells, like the delightful chive in the photo above for example, then of course the gentle buzzing of the bees and soft splashes from the water fountain. There are so many different textures – the spiky alliums to the bobbles of the lupins. The rhubarb and herbs in the garden are tantalising those taste buds. A senses sanctuary that soothes the soul.
Activities
The residents’ have enjoyed making some sweet treats. At the end of last month trifle making went down a treat and then the honey sandwiches were a sticky sweet start to our bee theme.
Residents making trifles together.
Residents spreading sticky honey-making sandwiches
Look out for the cute colourful bee houses, the residents have painted, around the house and garden.
Residents painting bee houses.
Bright bee houses painted by the residents.
Not only have the bees been enjoying the glorious weather – the residents have been outside painting some bee themed coasters and planting in the courtyard. Make sure you have a look at the beautiful arrangements in the planters when you next take a stroll around the grounds.
All set up for painting coasters outside.
Residents proudly planted the planters in the courtyard.
Amongst our themed activities we devoured a selection of delicious doughnuts, one morning, to join in with Doughnut Week. We then feasted on the popular party food at the VE Day Afternoon tea.
Selection of doughnuts for residents to eat.
VE day afternoon tea.
We also welcomed some new visitors to the home. Two miniature ponies, Mungo and Reuben, casually enjoyed the company of the residents in the main sitting rooms. They were also pleased to explore our garden with a group of residents.
Mungo the pony in the main sitting room.
Reuben the pony walking in the garden.
Another pair who also enjoyed time in the garden with the residents was Fred and George, the Alpacas. Residents had the opportunity to stroke and feed the alpacas whilst finding out all about them from their owners.
We look forward to seeing these two delightful duos in the future!
George and Fred the Alpacas enjoying the residents’ company and being fed in the garden.
Emma’s Update
“What a great month May is, the garden is blooming and there is so much to see and enjoy! There are roses in so many different colours it would be hard to pick a favourite. Big frothy peonies, alliums that look like dramatic fireworks! For those with time to investigate and look closer, the dainty flowers are just as beautiful as the big and bold. A good tip is to follow a bee, they’ll take you to all the best flowers.
Bulging pretty peonies in the garden.
I don’t know about you but to me a rose flowering over an arch or door, for some reason, is infinitely more pleasing to the eye than one on a plain wall. If anyone thinks the same, and has any theories as to why this is, I would love to know them.
A David Austin rose – Constance Spry, over the gate way to the rose garden.
The rose above was one of the first things planted when I began working in the garden at Wardington. It seemed fitting that the gate to the rose garden should be surrounded by roses.
Gardening is so frequently trial and error, with a combination of quirks in micro climate, aspect and soil it can make choosing a suitable plant difficult.
I often get things wrong and a plant doesn’t work or thrive as I had hoped and has to be moved (or it just annoys me until I get round to it). Taking this all into account when you get it right, and like this rose it looks so healthy and this beautiful, it really does give great job satisfaction.
In May we have seen the night time temperatures warm enough for the summer annual plants to survive outside and have been making a real effort to get the plants out of the greenhouse and into the beds before they outgrow their pots. The biggest challenge however is remembering where they all are when watering.
Planting in the garden.
I have also been making decisions on what to keep and plant here, and what can be sold at the garden party.
Plant hoarding can be a bit of a problem, all of you keen gardeners out there will understand. It creeps up and before you know it you can’t pass a garden centre without “just having a little look”. My favourites are the little charity stalls people have in their front gardens, almost always found when out walking and never near to where the car is parked, which often results in taking a pot or two along for the hike.
Having friends and family with lovely gardens is also a great way of getting plants but with the added bonus of being free. I regularly do plant swaps and the garden is dotted with plants donated from my loved ones. In return knowing that all those plants of Wardington origin are living happily elsewhere, rather than being composted, feels pretty good too.”
Delightful Delphiniums in the garden.
The Month Ahead
You may be aware that a certain football competition is due to start on the 11th June, therefore we are going to kick start June with the themes North America and the FIFA World Cup.
Amongst all the football excitement we have: lively Bhangra dancing taking place with In2Culture on Friday, 5th June at 1.30pm; mellow melodies played by Bodicote Bell Ringers on Monday, 8th June at 1.45pm; a Banana Split Afternoon Tea on Thursday, 11th June and the televised Trooping the Colour on Saturday, 13th June in honour of the King’s official birthday on the 14th to look forward to!
Sunday the 21st of June is a busy day with Fathers’ Day taking place, as well as being the the longest day of the year and the official start of summer! So of course ‘summer’ will be our theme for the rest of the month and the following activities will be taking place; making Summer punch (non-alcoholic), making miniature gardens, a Cream Tea Coffee Morning and games on the lawn.
The following regular activities will also take place this month: singing with Tristan Pate (weekly) and Katie Holland (monthly); Exercise Classes with Alfie (fortnightly); Josie the PAT dog (fortnightly); afternoon tea at Harley Equestrian Cafe (monthly); morning coffee and cake at Wardington Garden Centre (fortnightly); in-house Church Services (weekly) and Pamper Mornings.
We recently received very sad news that Lucia, from Lucia’s Tiny Farm, suddenly passed away. Such a lovely lady who brought a lot of happiness and comfort to animals and people’s lives. We will miss her and all the joy her visits brought to Wardington House.
The Garden Party
You may have received your invite and raffle tickets for the annual Garden Party in the post, if not they are on their way. Just to make sure you have the event in your diary – it takes place on Sunday, 5th July from 2.30pm to 5pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
A rain drop rose in the rose garden.
Care at Wardington House
If there is anyone you know, who might need our care, please tell them about us and we will be happy to help.
Wardington House Contact Information:
Telephone: 01295 750622
This goes to the office during the working day, or to the nurses’ office during evenings and weekends.
For general or administration queries, please email [email protected].
For Accounts, please email Julie Linzey at: [email protected]
For George Tuthill, please email: [email protected]
P.S If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter please contact Gemma Shaw at [email protected]
Compiled and edited by Gemma Shaw
