By THOMAS TAWELL WHEN pensioner Ray Ireland first set about turning the neglected gardens into a tranquil retreat at a Fenland care home, some people were not sure how it would turn out. However, once 85-year-old Mr Ireland got to work transforming the ga

Story by: THOMAS TAWELL

WHEN pensioner Ray Ireland first set about turning the neglected gardens into a tranquil retreat at a Fenland care home, some people were not sure how it would turn out.

However, once 85-year-old Mr Ireland got to work transforming the gardens at Beaupre Group Home, in Outwell, everyone was soon delighted with his efforts.

Despite his grand age he tends to the garden every morning and evening, and still heads out in his car to collect the new plants.

Mr Ireland looks after five small areas around the home where he hoes the gardens and sets the plants.

Phyllis Drew, another resident at the home and secretary of the social club, said: "He used to work on the land for years and years. Then he used to do people's gardens before coming to the home."

Green-fingered Mr Ireland, who has been at Beaupre for nearly two years, wanted something to do and began planting in the summer of 2008.

Mrs Drew said: "Before he came to the home, the gardens looked a mess and now they really look nice. We all appreciate everything he does. Everybody that comes round says that they've never seen it look so nice.