Care home wins silver medal for historic well decoration
Friends of the Elderly’s Malvern-based care homes have won a silver medal for their creative efforts as part of The Malvern Waters and Well Dressing Festival.
Residential, nursing and dementia care homes Davenham, Perrins House and Bradbury Court, collectively known as Friends of the Elderly Malvern, is welcoming visitors to see the care homes’ beautiful grounds and famous well.
The Malvern Waters and Well Dressing Festival takes place between 4 and 12 May, with wells, springs and spouts creatively decorated according to this year’s theme of “trees”.
The Davenham Well, also known as St. John’s Well, is located at the front of Davenham Residential Care Home. It is immediately visible as visitors pass through the early 20th Century Art Nouveau style gates and walk past The Gate House, complete with roof top carved dragon.
Visitors will also be able to see the English Heritage Blue Plaque on Davenham’s gate dedicated to Charles Dyson Perrins, businessman, philanthropist and member of the family which produced Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce.
This is the fourth time Friends of the Elderly Malvern has entered the Festival. In the past its decorated Well has won one silver and two bronze Awards.
Jo Bennett, general manager of the three care homes, said: “The team worked so hard on the decorations. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Trees’, so we have ran with this idea and made a beautiful lady figure out of a range trees, branches and leaves which represent the Perrins Family Tree. Topping of our design is our centrepiece lady who has affectionately been named ‘Lady Davenham’.”
The Lady Davenham concept came from Julie Hill, part of the domestic services team, during a brainstorming session, and was brought to life by activity co-ordinators Tina Ellenton, Selena Whittaker and Laura Smith, with the help of residents, relatives, pupils from Somers Park School and the wider care team.
The well has also been decorated with handmade bunting made from leaves which pupils from Somers Park School have coloured. Residents will judge the best leaf colouring and present winning pupils with prizes.
