Pete keeps Pat's favourite flowers blooming
Although Pat Dalgarno can no longer tend to her beloved garden, her husband Pete makes sure she always has something beautiful to look out on.
From her window in St Cecilia’s care home in Shepton Mallet, she watches as he visits regularly to tend to the garden – growing flowers from seed and nurturing them into bloom.
Pete, 80, has been looking after the home’s garden and window boxes for almost two years since Pat, who has advanced dementia, became a resident.
It’s Pete’s way of ensuring that, even after all this time, the beauty of nature – and the memories they created together – remain close to her.
“It takes me away from everything,” said Pete. “I come here four days a week and we have lunch together. Pat tends to sleep a lot now, so when she nods off, I go out and do a bit in the garden.
“I grow most things from seed and bring the plants along to St Cecilia’s to make sure people have got a nice display to look out on.”
Like Pete, Pat, 77, was an avid gardener before her condition made it difficult.
“We were in the garden all the time, pottering around and loved going out in the car and visiting big gardens like at Longleat which were great for getting ideas.
“She always loved Sweet Williams, and I make sure I always grow some of those for her, she loves the colours and the smell and how they attract the bees.”
As well as looking after the garden at St Cecilia’s, Pete also tends a large garden at his home in Street and has an allotment. “It’s a great way to keep fit and active. I also go for a long walk every day.”
Pete and Pat planned to marry in July 1966 but decided to postpone the wedding to the following month to avoid clashing with the World Cup. Even then, it wasn't plain sailing.
“I got the register office and realised I didn’t have the ring with me, so I had to quickly run into the jewellers and pick up a ring. But we got there in the end!”
Pete, who was born and bred in Street, worked for Dairy Crest until his retirement, while Pat, from nearby Butleigh Wootton, spent 33 years at Street’s Millfield School as a housekeeper.
The couple have two sons, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, who all live locally.
“The work Pete does in the garden brings such joy – not just to Pat, but to everyone here,” said Tracy Woolfrey, manager at St Cecilia’s.
“He puts so much care and passion into it, and it really transforms the space for everyone. Whether he’s planting, pruning or just pottering, his love of gardening shines through,” said Tracy.
As for Pete, he says he is grateful to have found a home for Pat where she is happy and well cared for.
“Everybody’s been brilliant really,” added Pete. “As you can imagine, it was quite hard when Pat was first diagnosed, but St Cecilia’s has been fantastic.
“I really like the relaxed atmosphere, and it has a home from home feel about it.”
St Cecilia’s is part of a third generation, family-run business, run by White Care Group, which has other homes in Shepton Mallet and Taunton.
