Tree trail aimed at the elderly

A new tree trail will lead visitors on a leafy trek around the Westgate Gardens.

The attraction, specifically aimed at the elderly, was devised by pupils from Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School in partnership with Age UK Canterbury. Users can follow the trail using a dementia-friendly guide on the park’s trees.

Its launch on Sunday was part of National Dementia Awareness Week and attended by about 200 guests, including clients of the Age Concern Day Centre and Cranmer House Sheltered Housing Scheme. The project was supported by the city council through its Big Lottery-funded Talking Trees grant.

Chris Stibbards, of Age UK Canterbury, said: “It was an exciting opportunity to enjoy a lovely day in one of Canterbury’s most picturesque spots.”

Get the tree trail leaflet from the Beaney Museum or download it at www.westgateparks.co.uk

Picture: Anna Bell Visitors at the launch of the new tree trail in the Westgate Gardens