Community combines to dig out success

In a tale of community spirit, a Sussex care home is just one step away from the final of a regional gardening competition.

The Mid Sussex times reports that Kingsland House has reached the semi final of Barchester in Bloom, and is still in with a chance of competing on the national stage of Britain in Bloom.

The Shoreham care homes community vegetable garden has driven the success, and is due in no small part to members of the local population.

Spokeswoman Karen Hilton told the newspaper that even the elderly residents have contributed to the success.

"Although our residents are too frail to dig the garden we havent left them out and they have created lovely hanging baskets during their weekly gardening club, the vegetables include round carrots – ideally sized for the baskets."

Aside from the homes residents and staff, students from Kingston Buci first school, the schools governor Andrea Burton, residents family members, a local fireman, and the homes window cleaner have all contributed.

The first prize in the competition is £500 in gardening vouchers, with Charlie Dimmock presenting the award.

But regardless of the result, the residents at Kingsland House will already feel like winners.