A poetry competition has been brought to life through the voices of people living beside the River Tone.
Churchill Living’s Riverain Lodge in Taunton launched the contest for its over-60s community, inviting owners to put into verse what makes their home so special.
Helena, the lodge manager, and Nicky, the sales executive, set a simple but heartfelt brief: write a poem about life at Riverain Lodge and in Taunton.
Owners responded with humour, warmth, and creativity, with five poems offering snapshots of life in the community.
John Nicholson reflected on nearly four years at the lodge, describing it as “both warm and welcoming,” while Terry Dommett’s lyrical entry invited newcomers to “rest your feet, and let your cares all cease.”
Jen Fowler’s poem summed up the spirit of the lodge in just a few lines, saying “the people here are kind and giving, bringing joy to retirement living.”
But it was Hazel Hare who claimed the top prize with her witty and charming poem A Week in the Life of Riverain.
Jo Ridehalgh, marketing lead for Churchill Living’s south west division, said: "We were absolutely delighted by the response to this competition.
"The poems were funny, touching, and genuinely moving, and they captured something that we always hope people will discover when they come to Riverain Lodge: that this is a place with real heart.
"Hazel’s winning poem in particular had us all smiling and is a real testament to the community that has grown here."
Ms Hare’s poem gave readers a light-hearted but honest look at daily life at Riverain Lodge.
Wednesdays, she wrote, offer “lots of cakes and indulging, then to prevent any bulging, much gardening and Keep Fit abound,” while Thursdays are for socialising in the owners’ lounge.
The poem also nodded to the wide variety of activities on offer, including the book (and cake) club, cream teas and Scrabble, colouring, crafting, and “a mind-bending quiz”.
It finished on a note that sums up the lodge perfectly: “Every day involves tea, coffee, cake and a bite.”
The competition was such a success that Churchill Living now plans to make it an annual tradition.
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