A PROJECT to create a dementia friendly garden in a Williton care home finally came to fruition last weekend.

More than a year of fundraising and an investment of around £44,000 has led to an empty green space at the newly built Croft House being transformed into an oasis for residents.

Cottage garden and nautical themed areas have been created, along with raised flower and vegetable beds to make it easier for residents to develop their gardening skills.

A mural attached to fencing enclosing the garden depicts Archie the Scarecrow's dementia story, highlighting the home's link with Reminiscence Learning, the charity working to make Williton a dementia friendly village.

A potting shed, greenhouse and plants that stimulate senses through highly scented flowers or rustling textured foliage are intended to add to residents' enjoyment of the area.

And a summerhouse, which takes pride of place in one corner in remembrance of Williton teenager Bethany Paige Adams, will provide an enclosed haven for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Former Croft House care worker Bethany tragically died in a car accident just over a year ago and the £6,000 summerhouse is the result of a fundraising campaign launched by her parents Helen and Mark Adams.

Somerset Care, which owns and manages Croft House, invested £18,000 into the project and villager Bert Pearson, whose wife is a resident in the home, spearheaded a fundraising campaign that brought in a further £20,000.

The garden was officially opened by former High Sheriff of Somerset Sylvana Chandler, who had stepped down from the post just a week or so earlier.

And it was also the last project to be signed off by former manager Diane Allen who has taken up a new role as operations manager with Somerset Care.

A spokesman for Croft House said the home wanted to thank Mr and Mrs Adams and Mr Pearson, as well as everyone else who had worked so hard fundraising and all those who had made donations to help make the garden a reality.

Photo: Steve Guscott