With the McGoff Group’s stunning multi-age development now fully complete in Lymm, Cheshire, three generations came together to mark the start of Global Intergenerational Week (24-30 April) with the planting of a new communal garden.
Children from Back to the Garden’s natural day nursery joined residents from Statham Manor Care Centre and the over 55s retirement apartments at Minerva Place to create a beautiful new shared allotment-style space which was planted with an assortment of herbs, vegetables and flowering shrubs.
Positioned in the garden at Statham Manor, it will be nurtured by all and added to over time, providing many opportunities for the different age groups to come together and share quality time outdoors in the fresh air.
Bill Hall and Joyce Hamilton, both age 87, from Statham Manor joined Aubrey Raymond and his daughter Anne from Minerva Place plus pre-schoolers Teddy, age 3, Harriet, age 4 and Amelia, age 4, from Back to the Garden Childcare for the project.
Young and old were very happy to get stuck in, getting their fingers dirty prepping the planters, adding compost, burying the seeds and sharing memories, stories, hints and tips about gardening.
Home manager at Statham Manor, Farai Hanyane, commented: “At Statham Manor, we encourage all of our residents to continue with their passions and we have some avid gardeners who are always looking for new projects. The allotment garden gives them the perfect opportunity to carry on with a leisure activity that they love and to pass their knowledge along to the younger generations.”
Nursery manager, Alison O’Connor-Limb added: “It was the perfect time for us to get involved with the intergenerational garden project as the children have been exploring the meaning of Springtime, new life and changes in nature. This provided a great opportunity for them to get hands-on in the garden with a real-life project that they can re-visit and watch develop. We have planted some herbs which we are excited to share for use in the kitchens when they have grown.”
Located on the corner of Whitbarrow Road and Statham Avenue in the centre of Lymm, the McGoff Group’s innovative intergenerational development is now fully complete and comprises a state-of-the-art care centre, stunning retirement apartments and a natural children’s day nursery.
