24 July 2015
Celebrity gardener David Domoney pops in to judge Anisha Grange’s Hallmark in Bloom competition
Celebrity gardener and presenter, David Domoney visited our care home Anisha Grange in Billericay, last summer to judge our company-wide gardening competition.
The gardener, best known for his work with Alan Titchmarsh on the Alan Titchmarsh Show visited Anisha Grange’s award-winning gardens to meet residents and support the Hallmark in Bloom judging process aided by Damien Newman from Thrive and Avnish Goyal, managing director of Hallmark Care Homes.
Hallmark in Bloom was first launched in 2003 and is an annual event which runs throughout July and is designed to engage residents in gardening and other outdoor activities. Last year, competition entrants included all 17 of our Hallmark Care Homes across England and Wales and each home was judged on categories ranging from ‘Best Whole Home Effort’ to ‘Best Resident Engagement.’
David Domoney said: “Gardening not only has physical benefits it has therapeutic benefits as it is a key link to the past. It’s good to see a care home has recognised this fact and implemented it as an activity at the home.
“The gardens are very nice; I loved how there are lots of different areas so the resident can get away, have some fresh air and enjoy the tranquillity of the garden.”
Anisha Grange made sure they were in ‘full bloom’ for the Hallmark in Bloom events last year by visiting local garden centres to gain gardening advice and plant their hanging baskets. The gardening club at Anisha Grange incorporated resident’s artwork and literature into their garden design and also featured a beach hut and a Morris Minor.
Hallmark Care Homes has been working in collaboration with Thrive, a gardening charity which has promoteed the therapeutic benefits of gardening for older people for several years, ensuring that our care team has the skills needed to enable our residents make the most of their outdoor space.
Damien Newman, training and education officer from Thrive said: “Anisha Grange continues to improve its gardens every year and the more it matures the better it looks.
“Last year I was particularly impressed with the fruit and vegetable patch which has really come together.”
The judging day at the home was also a great opportunity for visitors to get involved and enjoy a taste of the British summer time. Last year, visitors to the home enjoyed the musical stylings of David Van Day of Dollar fame, while enjoying a treat from the ice-cream van and homemade fish and chips.
View photos from last year’s event here.