Learning disabled adults win first place at Countess of Warwick Country Show
Learning disabled adults in Ugley have been awarded for their creative pursuits as their homegrown succulent and pottery creation won big at the recent Countess of Warwick Country Show.
Over the August bank holiday weekend, adults who attend a garden centre day service, run by learning disability charity Hft, entered some of their creations into the Countess of Warwick Country Show in Little Easton, Great Dunmow – a celebration of countryside and rural traditions.
The two items they decided to enter were a succulent, that was grown from a small cutting to a thriving plant over a few years and looked after by adults who attend the day service, and ‘The Beehive’, a pottery beehive made collectively by all the supported people who attend daily pottery sessions held at the centre.
Both creations impressed the judges, particularly the succulent which was awarded with a rosette and won first place in the horticulture category. As a bonus, the beehive won third place in the arts and crafts category.
Irena Adomaitiene, Day Services Manager for Hft in Hertfordshire and Essex, says, “I can’t express how happy the people we support and staff are for being awarded this rosette. It brings so much joy!”
Hft encourages members of the local community to visit its garden centre in Ugley, that is run by and for learning disabled adults, before it shuts for the autumn and winter months. Visitors can enjoy the flourishing grounds and take a peek at some of the plants and homemade pottery for sale, similar to the prize-winning succulent and beehive.
If you are interested in visiting the garden centre, you can find the Hft team at Pound Lane, Ugley, CM22 6HP. The centre is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, and on Saturdays (May – late September) from 10am to 4pm.
