GREEN-fingered residents at Wiltshire Heights care home in Bradford on Avon have been acknowledged by the Royal Horticultural Society - thanks to their vegetable-growing success during lockdown.

Their horticultural efforts earned them recognition from the RHS Britain in Bloom regional competition.

Wiltshire Heights received a Certificate of Recognition from the RHS organisers as well as a Certificate for Feeding Your Community.

Time spent in the garden was very valuable to residents during the months of lockdown, keeping them busy and giving them ample opportunity to cultivate a range of vegetables, right from sowing the seeds through to watching them grow. When the vegetables were ready, the home’s kitchen team cooked them up and used them in delicious daily dishes.

Sharon Adams, home manager, said: “It’s an honour to have been recognised by the RHS and Britain in Bloom once again this year.”

“Growing vegetables has been a brilliant task to focus on and seeing residents enjoying eating them has made it all the more worthwhile.

“Our residents love to get outdoors and tend to the garden. Not only does it give them a project to focus on but it has reinforced their love for gardening and nature.”

The Wiltshire Heights garden is a source of great pride for residents and staff. It is regularly used as a way of bringing together the local community and residents for gardening projects.

Last year, the Trowbridge Police Cadets lent a helping hand, transforming an unused area of the garden into Cadet’s Corner, a sensory haven complete with water feature and herb bed.