Ady and Dawn with grandad Ronald and their eldest daughter Charlotte, who was two years old. The photo was taken the day after their wedding at Acomb Garth in September 1997.
How the Acomb Garth garden looks now, following the revamp.
Acomb garden has special memory for York couple
York gardener Ady Johnson got quite emotional when his team were asked to do a gardening job at the new Acomb Garth Community Care Centre in York recently.
Ady had last visited the courtyard garden at the centre 25 years-ago, to have some wedding photographs taken.
“My wife’s grandad was a resident at Acomb Garth then. It was a centre for the elderly and he had Alzheimer’s. He unfortunately couldn’t come to our wedding, so my wife Dawn and I took our wedding to him!” said Ady.
Ady and Dawn were married on 27 September 1997. They went to see Dawn’s grandad Ronald Gibson, the following day at Acomb Garth to have some photos taken with him.
“We planted a tree in 2001 when he died, in his memory, in the original garden there, at the side of the building,” said Ady.
Ady, who works for AJT Garden Services in York, was asked to come to renovate the courtyard garden for Nimbuscare in June. The Acomb Garth Community Care Centre has been transformed into a Centre which will provide a range of NHS services, social care, support, advice and wellbeing services for local people.
It is part of a bold vision to connect people and communities in York, treating people for more than just ill health.
Nimbuscare is a York-based not for profit healthcare provider, made up of York’s 11 GP practices.
“When we were asked to do the garden, I had mixed emotions. I couldn’t believe what a state it was in when we arrived, but I really enjoyed doing it. We’ll make sure it stays looking good now,” said Ady.
Having heard their special story, Nimbuscare has put a side a special corner of the garden for Ady and Dawn to create a raised bed so they can re-plant something in memory of Ronald.
Dr Daniel Kimberling, Nimbuscare’s Medical Director, said: “This Community Care Centre is a great new facility where people can come and get more than just healthcare. Our vision is that it will be a place which brings people together - so when we heard Ady’s and Dawn’s story we thought it would be lovely if we could help them remember their wedding day and grandad.”
Ady and Dawn with grandad Ronald and their eldest daughter Charlotte, who was two years old. The photo was taken the day after their wedding at Acomb Garth in September 1997.
