Pictured above: Green-fingered Alf Stone admires some of the blooms at HomeZone Living's Beacon Park Retirement Village in Lichfield, Staffordshire

Flower power is back in vogue in Staffordshire.

But there's no sign of flares, tank-tops or hippies - just a glorious display of beautiful blooms throughout the gardens and balconies at a Lichfield retirement village.

Each year residents of HomeZone Living's Beacon Park Retirement Village are encouraged to create an oasis of fantastic floral displays and are regular winners of Extra Care's Village in Bloom competition.

Much of their success is down to the hard work, know-how and commitment of the village's gardening club members who produce hanging baskets, pots and flower beds that wouldn't look out of place at The Royal Chelsea Flower Show.

The group is led by Nancy Bennett, while Alf Stone specialises in hanging baskets and Arthur Shipley runs the allotment team which produces regular supplies of organic fruit and vegetables including tomatoes, potatoes, beans and cabbages. The team has also created raised flower beds so that less mobile residents can also join in the green-fingered activities.  

The gardening group is just one of the many activities offered to residents at the retirement village in Lower Sandford Street. Beacon Park Retirement Village was unveiled to regional and national acclaim in 2005. A partnership between registered social landlord HomeZone Living, Extra Care and Lichfield District Council developed the top quality facility.

Homezone's Sue Atkins, village services manager at the retirement village, said: "Our gardening group is very popular with residents and during the spring and summer they create a spectacular splash of colour which is very much appreciated by everyone that lives and works here.

"Seeing all the balconies full of fantastic flowers, the hanging baskets and the glorious gardens helps to raise everyone's spirits. Being a member of the gardening group is very rewarding - it helps keep people engaged with one another, gives them an interest and the satisfaction of seeing plants and vegetables grow, and helps to keep them physically active including those that may have mobility problems."   

The retirement development is a village of superbly designed, comfortable homes in a close-knit community. The focus is on personal independence and opportunities to enjoy life in a safe, secure community. Inspired by a 'stay active, stay young' philosophy, Beacon Park Village is built around a superb range of facilities that encourages people to embrace new challenges and new achievements regardless of age or ability. Residents enjoy the company of friends and family, knowing that care and support can be tailored to their needs and delivered in their own home. The real success of this partnership has been to create a genuine community where older people of all abilities, both fit and frail, enjoy security, independence and opportunity.

Beacon Park Village has a bright and busy village centre where residents meet friends, neighbours and family. There's a village hall, shop, pub, library and reading room, hair salon, a bar and comfortable restaurant. Residents decide how to fill their day, from working out in the superb fitness suite and gym, being arty in the craft and hobby room, going online in the IT/TV studio, getting growing in the greenhouse or knocking something up in the woodwork room. They can also pamper themselves in the steam room, jacuzzi and spa, take it easy in the peaceful gardens or just relax in the lounge.

HomeZone Living is committed to the provision of affordable housing and support services, serving the communities in and around Lichfield District and surrounding boroughs. Its key role is to develop and manage rented, leasehold and shared ownership homes for customers. It is dedicated to achieving high levels of customer satisfaction through continuous service improvement and by engaging with customers to understand their needs. Established following stock transfer in 1997 and gaining charitable status in April 2006, HomeZone Living is the largest Registered Social Landlord in the district, managing around 4,500 homes, shops and garages. In March 2007, HomeZone Living became a member of Bromford Group.