Musical Gardening Sessions Inspire Madeira House Residents

Gardening and music are the perfect combination for Madeira House’s song-loving Residents.

With preparations underway for the Home’s ‘Advinia In Bloom’ efforts, Residents have been making the most of the sunny weather to get outside to plant up.

Activities Co-ordinator Charlotte Damms said that there are plenty of keen gardeners at the Home who have been taking the lead with the horticultural project.

Whether indoors or outside, Residents have been enjoying a good singsong as they work during potting sessions.

Everyone is hoping that their hard work pays off this summer when the ‘Advinia In Bloom’ judges assess their creation.

Charlotte said: “We’re very competitive at Madeira House – the Residents love a good competition!

“Residents Bud and Julie are in charge as they are such experienced gardeners. They’ve been teaching me and other Colleagues loads of clever things.

“It’s so lovely to have a sing-a-long while we work, especially when the sun is out.

“We’ve been doing renditions of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and other favourite tunes. It’s been great fun.”

Charlotte has been working hard to ensure the ‘Advinia In Bloom’ competition is as inclusive as possible.

As well as setting up a potting station in the sun lounge, she’s taken plants into Residents’ bedrooms so they can pot them there too.

As well as growing plants and sunflowers, Team Madeira have also planted vegetables that they intend to use in meals going forward.

Charlotte added: “It’s going to be so satisfying for Residents to eat the lovely fresh produce they’ve grown themselves.

“We’ve also been making butterfly features to stick in the trees to add another dimension to our entry.

“Residents love spending time in the garden and enjoying cocktails or afternoon tea in the sunshine. It’ll be wonderful to do that surrounded by a beautiful garden that we all took part in growing.”