Celebrations at Darsdale Home
Darsdale Home, part of Northamptonshire Association for the Blind (NAB), commemorated their 60th Birthday and opening of their new sensory garden on 21st May 2009, welcoming over 100 guests to the celebrations. Representatives of the various charitable trusts, companies and individuals who donated towards the cost of building the garden were among some of the many guests. Darsdale Home was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester on the same day back in1949, when the home employed five staff, caring for up to 18 residents. 60 years on, Darsdale now employs 41staff caring for up to 30 visually impaired and dual sensory loss residents.
BBC Radio Northampton’s Green Welly show presenters Johnnie Amos and Mark Dean cut the ribbon and officially opened the garden, much to the delight of the residents. Fundraising for the sensory garden began in March 2007 to raise the £50,000 needed and work began in September 2008. The original sunken garden has been transformed into a fully accessible garden for all to enjoy, with plants being carefully selected for features such as scent, tactile foliage or rustling in the breeze. The garden also features a large summerhouse, gazebo, fountains and many comfortable oak benches.
Sue Henderson, Manager of Darsdale Home says “We are very grateful to everyone who donated money or raised funds for the project. A special thank you is sent to Joe Boswell for taking our rough concept and transforming it into a fantastic design, not forgetting Addingtons for making this design reality. We also want to thank Waitrose of Rushden for providing the food for the event”.
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