Diane the Cultivator – Growing Community from the Ground Up
Discover how a lifelong passion for gardening flourished into something even more meaningful at Mulberry Fields, Sherborne.
Sowing seeds of joy
Diane moved to Mulberry Fields two years ago with her husband, Dave, hoping to find a secure and sociable place to enjoy their retirement. What she didn’t expect was to become head of the gardening group — and a key part of a growing, blooming community.
“I never thought I’d be doing something like this,” Diane says with a laugh. “And I never thought I’d have the confidence either! But the support I’ve had here has been amazing — it’s boosted me more than I could ever imagine.”
A keen gardener since childhood, Diane was raised around plants and flower beds. Her mother, who gardened well into her 90s, passed down not just tools and tips, but a true love for being close to nature. “I absolutely love doing it,” she says. “It reminds me of my mum — she was just the same.”
The joy of giving back
Diane now leads the gardening group at Mulberry Fields, coordinating seasonal planting, maintaining borders and beds, and rallying residents to support the grounds and wildlife spaces. “It’s peaceful, it’s purposeful, and it connects you to others,” she says. “You get so into caring for the plants that you forget everything else.”
And her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. “People come up and talk to me who probably wouldn’t talk to me otherwise,” she explains. “So you make new friends that way — which is lovely.”
Her gardening leadership has also reached beyond the Platinum Skies community. As part of the Sherborne in Bloom town initiative, Diane has proudly represented Mulberry Fields at volunteer planting days in Pageant Gardens. Alongside fellow homeowner Jill, she helped plant over 600 flowers in a single morning.
“It’s the community spirit — doing something in a public area where lots of people will get the pleasure from it,” Diane says. “It just lifts your spirits seeing it bloom.”
A lifestyle that gives back
Life at Mulberry Fields, and the freedom of Shared Ownership, has helped both Diane and Dave feel secure and supported. “You know exactly what you’re going to spend,” she explains. “And we’ve still got money left to live how we want. That peace of mind makes a big difference.”
While Dave lives with health conditions that limit his mobility, he’s found comfort in the friendly, inclusive atmosphere of Platinum Skies. “He’s met a good friend here,” Diane shares. “It means I can go off and do my own thing — and he’s happy, I’m happy.”
For Diane, that includes yoga classes, community events, and plenty of time spent with her hands in the soil. “I’m usually out here for two or three hours at a time — and that’s at least twice a week!” she says. “Dave jokes and says, ‘Right, I’ll see you at tea time then!’”
Watch Diane’s story now
Still blooming
After 18 months of hard work in the grounds, Diane reflects on the joy she’s found:
“Sometimes I go back up to the flat after gardening and think, I’m so lucky to be able to do this. And it’s even better knowing others enjoy it too.”
Mulberry Fields has become more than a home — it’s the fertile ground where her passion has taken root, and where friendships continue to grow.
“If I could sum up this chapter of my life in three words?” Diane smiles,“Welcoming, caring, and engaging.”
Sound good?
Whether you’re a keen gardener, a community spirit, or someone who finds peace in nature — life at Platinum Skies gives you the space, freedom and support to keep doing what you love.
Explore our homes at Mulberry Fields in Sherborne and discover a lifestyle that fits you.
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https://platinumskies.co.uk/dorset/sherborne/
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