An Orchard At The Orchard - Community Project A Labour Of Love For Resident Jean
When The Orchard team heard about the Thatchers Cider Community Orchard Project, it sounded like the perfect opportunity to create something special for residents and for the environment.
Thatchers Community Orchard Project
2026 is the sixth year that that fourth generation cider maker Thatchers has donated trees through its Community Orchard Project, helping community groups, schools and charities across the UK plant more trees in springtime. With ten trees on offer to just 50 local groups, The Orchard team submitted their entry, explaining how much residents love spending time in the garden and the positive impact that planting and nurturing their own orchard would have on the whole home. Everyone also hoped that the name of the care home - The Orchard’ - would be a good omen!
The team and residents were thrilled to receive a response from Thatcher’s saying, “I am happy to say that your entry stood out to us, and we are delighted to offer you the ten trees for your project!” It was all systems go, choosing the right spots in the garden and confirming a date for the trees to be delivered.
The Orchard’s Green Focus
The Orchard Nursing Home’s gardener, Nicky, has been part of the team for two years. She, and maintenance colleague, Steve, are a great partnership and were both involved in last year’s green project – creating a wonderful haven for insects and wildlife known as “Buggingham Palace”. Joining the duo on apple tree planting day was resident, Jean, whose lifelong passion for gardening has continued to shine at The Orchard. Jean looks for any opportunity to be involved in gardening activities alongside Nicky and whatever the weather, Jean wraps up warm and takes great pride in helping to keep the garden looking beautiful.
Resident Jean’s Lifelong Passion for Gardening
It was no surprise that Jean was keen to involved in the apple tree planting. She’s incredibly enthusiastic when talking about her favourite plants and flowers and describing the pleasure she has always gained from being in the garden. “Delphiniums, lilac — the white ones and the mauve ones — daffodils, lupins, and asters… I love them all”, Jean reflected. “I used to spend so much time in my garden, all year round. There was no need to rush — you could just lose yourself in the garden. The world could go by, and you could simply be there. I grew runner beans, which I loved to eat. My garden was small, with a lawn and flower beds all the way around, and I even had raspberry canes.”
Seeing the joy that the newly planted apple trees were bringing Jean, her daughter Helen confirmed her mum’s lifelong passion for plants and flowers, whether growing them or visiting public gardens and garden centres. Helen added, “It’s possibly something in the genes as her parents were keen gardeners and her grandad was a gardener on a small stately home in Sussex. The love is for all flowers, cultivated or wild. Through the seasons she waits for the snowdrops, primroses and bluebells to appear. She visited meadow pastures in Switzerland and Austria full of wild flowers. I don't know if there is one favourite flower but freesias, penstemons and especially roses are contenders. She moved into her house in 1982 and transformed the small garden into a beautiful are where she spent most of spring, summer and autumn tending to the myriad of plants”.
Nicky has been a gardener for over 30 years and explained, “I like being out in the fresh air and seeing things grow — it’s very meditative. My favourites are sweet peas, bluebells, irises, lilies and geraniums, although I like all flowers… just not dandelions”! Nicky was delighted to have Jean’s support when the apple trees were planted and declared that “Jean and I worked really well as a team”.
Growing Future Happiness at The Orchard
Thatchers launched the Community Orchard Project to share its passion for orchards and sustainability, as well as to encourage environmental stewardship and even though it’s early days, it has been a positive and meaningful experience for everyone at The Orchard. The trees will produce a variety apples from a range that includes Bramley, Rosette, Katy, Scrumptious, Red Windsor, Ashmead’s Kernel and there’s no doubt that the journey ahead – from planting, to watching the trees grow and eventually bear fruit– will bring a great deal of pleasure to all at The Orchard, and especially to Jean. When describing her own garden she recalled, “It was my happy place” and being involved with the orchard at The Orchard is a wonderful opportunity for her to continue to do what she loves most.
Welcome to The Orchard Nursing Home in St Albans
At The Orchard Nursing Care Home in St Albans, Hertfordshire, we offer high-quality residential, nursing and dementia care in a calm and welcoming setting. Nestled in a peaceful residential area, our purpose-built care home features bright and modern interiors, beautifully landscaped gardens and a range of thoughtfully designed spaces for comfort and relaxation.
From cosy lounges and a hair salon to rooms with private terrace access, every detail is designed with our residents’ wellbeing in mind. Our dedicated care team is here around the clock to support residents with their everyday needs. At The Orchard, we’re proud to provide compassionate, person-centred care in a warm and friendly environment.
