HC-One’s Dove Court care home, in Burnley, Lancashire, were delighted to open a new sensory garden in memory of previous resident, Muriel Clucas.
Muriel Clucas lived on the Nightingale House community at Dove Court and loved the outdoors, gardening and wildlife in general. Her room overlooked the garden and she used to look outside with great fondness daily.
Muriel grew up in Burnley and lived there most of her life; apart from nine years in Nelson when she was first married. When younger, Muriel played tennis, was part of the light opera and enjoyed knitting and sewing. As she got older, she took up lace-making, tapestry and gardening.
Wishing to give back to local communities. Muriel volunteered for many charities, including poppy collections, being a Room Steward at Gawthorpe Hall National Trust and helping in the Children's Society charity shop. Later on, she took up card-making which were sold for the church.
Muriel enjoyed working, especially as a Secretary at Heasandford School, in Burnley, where she worked until she retired. Muriel loved to travel in the UK and abroad, often with her sister or cousin.
Susan, Muriel’s daughter, said:
“Mum loved gardening and was very proud when she won a prize for the best small garden.”
“She would visit gardens and garden centres at the drop of a hat. In fact, she said when she gave her home up that the only thing she missed was her garden. It was so important for her to get outside when she moved to Dove Court, or at least see the garden and the trees.”
Recently, funds from Muriel’s estate were donated to Dove Court to enhance the home’s garden for residents, this included garden furniture, plant pots, and rose bushes. The home’s maintenance team, consisting of Maintenance Operatives Martin Ingham and Harry Jackson, along with Unit Manager, Edna Peat, Home Manager Cat Brierley, and relatives and friends, to create a fabulous outdoor space to be enjoyed by all.
Muriel’s family commented:
“The money came from mum’s estate, so really it was like mum giving back.”
The garden is called ‘Muriel’s Place’ in memory of this wonderful lady and to be enjoyed by all residents at Dove Court.
Muriel’s family thanked everyone, especially Martin and Harry for creating such a wonderful garden and were thrilled with it!
Dove Court’s Wellbeing Coordinator, Steph Tillotson, said,
“Our residents love using our sensory garden, hearing the chimes we have up and looking at the different plants potted in our garden. One particular resident, Brenda Buckle, enjoys going to this garden and just relaxing.”
Brenda Buckle. Who is a resident at Dove Court’s Nightingale House community, commented,
“I love visiting this garden.”
Cat Brierley, Home Manager at Dove Court care home, remarked:
“It is lovely to see our residents enjoying the garden. Thank you so much everyone, especially Susan for her kind donation.”
Muriel’s Place is a garden that Muriel would have loved, and one to be visited in rain or shine.