Bromham businesswoman Cynthia Wilkinson has spoken of her delight to be able to lend her garden to raise cash for Age Concern Wiltshire.

She and her designer husband Mark are giving free use of their garden at Brook House on July 19 from 2pm to 4.30pm to allow Age Concern Wiltshire to raise money for their 60th anniversary appeal.

Mrs Wilkinson said: “I feel very much for the work this charity does. Older people do get a raw deal. It is very sad people don’t care about them.

“My mother died some years ago now but she still teaches me from the grave. When she was 84 she was still cooking Sunday lunch. She never let age slow her down.

“I wish we all had more time to think about what growing old is all about. They are the forgotten group of society. There is a really important place for older people in young people’s lives.”

The event is called Jazz in the Garden and has live music from local band 4+1 Jazz Band, plus an opportunity to explore the Wilkinsons’ wonderful garden, visit a crystal tree and cave, and stroll around the beautiful lakes.

Visitors can follow a garden trail, watch Tai Chi, browse stalls and look at artwork. Book a place with Age Concern on (01380) 727767.

Generations get together

A scheme to bridge the generation gap last week has been declared a huge success.

Age No Barrier Week, organised by the Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network and Age Concern Wiltshire, set up events all over the county.

School students dropped in on retirement homes and sheltered accommodation complexes and joined with older members of the community in fun competitions.

In Devizes, sixth formers from Devizes School were teamed up with older people in the area to complete sections of the town’s medieval trail.

Each team of two was set a task to find four of the plaques on the trail and answer some challenging cryptic questions on a quiz sheet.

Participants were met at the town hall by mayor John Leighton who presented certificates to all who took part.

Liddy Davidson, the director of Age Concern Wiltshire, said: “We were thrilled to have 30 participants in the walk who ranged in age from three to 93 and included 13 sixth formers from Devizes School.”

She added: “The most important feature of this week was the inter-generational contact.

“Families don’t mix together as much as they used to and the fear of crime that is so prevalent today is the result of a lack of understanding between the generations.”

Nick Crane of the Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network said they were delighted with the way the week had gone.

He said: “We had about 40 events taking place across the week and we have had a lot of very positive feedback. I think we did well to be able to co-ordinate 40 events.”