Man tends care home garden to bring 'joy' to wife

A man who tends to the gardens at the care home where his wife lives "brings joy to everyone", according to its manager.

Pete Dalgarno, 80, has been looking after the gardens and window boxes at St Cecilia's, in Shepton Mallet, since his wife Pat moved there two years ago.

Mrs Dalgarno, 77, was an avid gardener before she was diagnosed with advanced dementia.

"We were in the garden all the time, pottering around," Mr Dalgarno said. "And [we] loved going out in the car and visiting big gardens like at Longleat."

"Pat tends to sleep a lot now, so when she nods off, I go out and do a bit in the garden," he added.

"I grow most things from seed and bring the plants along to St Cecilia's to make sure people have got a nice display."

The couple married in 1966. They have two sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, who all live locally.

As well as looking after the garden at St Cecilia's, Mr Dalgarno also tends a garden at his home in Street and has an allotment.

Tracy Woolfrey, the manager at St Cecilia's, said: "The work Pete does in the garden brings such joy – not just to Pat, but to everyone here.

"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."

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