Dementia-friendly allotments for Ferndown

The Mayor of Ferndown, Cathy Lugg, cut the ribbon at the entrance to new dementia-friendly allotments in Longham on 7 October, declaring them officially open.

Harry Worth, the chairman of the Ferndown Dementia-Friendly Steering Group Allotments said, “The idea was born when Oakley House Community Mental Health Centre lost the St Leonards Community Hospital Gardening Club to redevelopment.

“We couldn’t have established this allotment without funding. This has been provided by a grant from Ferndown Town Council, the organising of a black-tie function by Ferndown British Legion and the Captain’s Charity from Dudsbury Golf Club, which is still raising money until April.”

The first groups to use the facilities were from Fernhill Care Home, Douch family befriending gardening groups and Ferndown Leisure Centre helping with stroke rehabilitation.