Gardening gives elderly a spring in their step
Spring Day flourished at Rustig Ouetehuis this year with a Care Buddies garden competition inspiring residents to get their gardens in tiptop shape.
The gardens came in all shapes and sizes with the gardeners’ expertise varying from long-time green thumbs to enthusiastic beginners.
The competition was the Care Buddies’ very own Issy de Lira’s brainchild, with the idea being to get the Rustig residents out and about and socialising.
A total of 24 gardens were entered in the competition.
Yvonne McHeath, the founder of Care Buddies, handed out the prizes (all sponsored by the White River Garden Pavilion) during an afternoon tea party on September 1. Prizes included vouchers, hampers and much more.
McHeath thanked everyone for their enthusiastic participation.
“Thank you that you took part. If everyone said they did not want to take part, we would not have had this lovely party. We so enjoyed walking through and seeing the effort that you all put into your gardens.
“A big thank you to Issy as well for organising everything.”
Various prizes were handed out throughout the day, but seeing the lifted spirits and people helping one another with their gardens could trump any winner.
One woman mentioned her favourite part of the day.
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“You know what I liked about this is all these ladies, as you walk down, standing with their behinds in the air working in those little gardens.”
There was even a 90-year-old participant.
Alice de Beer of the White River Garden Pavilion also attended the prize-giving and said she was so pleased with the outcome and glad she had volunteered to walk this path with the Care Buddies.
Ingrid Brink, one of the Care Buddies went all out with her spring headdress.
As a part of her contribution, residents received a discount on purchases leading up to the competition.
The three judges for the event were the chairpersons of the Sabie and Nelspruit Care Buddies, Merle Joubert and Meisie Barnard, as well as Hannes Scholtz who is a landscaper. This was done to make the judging as impartial as possible.
