Residents at Fairways Care Home in New Romney are enjoying the sights and sounds of nature throughout the year, thanks to their garden where local wildlife is encouraged to flourish.
Rather than creating overly manicured grounds, Fairways has developed a more natural garden environment, offering trees, flowers, plants and quieter areas where birds, insects and animals can find food, shelter and a safe place to visit.
The result is a peaceful outdoor space shared by residents and an impressive variety of local wildlife.
Squirrels can regularly be seen darting through the trees, while woodpeckers announce their arrival by tapping against the trunks. Colourful butterflies move between the flowers, bumblebees busily collect pollen and dragonflies can often be spotted moving through the garden. Foxes have also made the grounds one of their favourite places to explore and play.
The presence of dragonflies is particularly fitting for Fairways’ New Romney location. Romney Marsh is renowned for its wetland habitats, drainage ditches and seasonal ponds, with the Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership describing dragonflies as one of the characteristic sights that bring the Marsh’s waterways to life during the summer. Nearby Romney Warren Local Nature Reserve is also recognised for its dragonflies and other important wildlife.
Woodpeckers are not considered especially rare across southern England. However, seeing them within a garden remains a memorable experience and suggests the area offers the mature trees, insects and feeding opportunities these distinctive birds need.
One of the home’s most treasured wildlife traditions is the return of a family of ducks, which have visited the garden every year for more than five years. Their arrival is eagerly anticipated by residents and has become a much-loved part of life at Fairways.
Alison Yarnley, Manager at Fairways Care Home said: “We are incredibly fortunate to share our garden with so many different birds, insects and animals. We have deliberately allowed parts of the garden to remain natural because wildlife does not need perfectly manicured surroundings. It needs food, shelter, and safe spaces.
“We love watching the squirrels, listening for the woodpeckers and seeing the butterflies, bees and dragonflies. The returning family of ducks is particularly special to us, and everyone looks forward to seeing them each year.”
Creating and protecting spaces for wildlife is becoming increasingly important. The Kent Nature Partnership has warned of worrying declines in nature across Kent and has called for renewed ambition and new approaches to help species and habitats recover.
The garden also creates regular opportunities for residents to talk about the wildlife they have seen, identify different birds and insects, and share memories of their own gardens and countryside experiences.
At Fairways, the garden is more than an attractive outdoor area. It is a living environment that changes with the seasons and brings the countryside directly to residents’ doorsteps. By giving nature room to thrive, Fairways Care Home has created a tranquil setting where residents and wildlife can continue to live happily side by side.
