Three OAPs dubbed the Lavender Ladies have raised £1,000 for charity.

Verena Closs, 74, Jacki Crittenden, 72, and Audrey Marland, 90, who all live at a retirement village in Chalfont St Peter, used their crafting skills to harvest lavender bushes to make lavender bags, beeswax candles, and bookmarks to sell to friends, family, and fellow retirees.

The ladies are part of the Audley Chalfont Dene craft club at the retirement village – and what started off as a hobby soon became an opportunity to give back as they donated all proceeds the Thames Valley Adventure Playground, which aims to create a safe and stimulating but fun environment where children and adults with special needs can play.

Verena said: “We started a craft club after the village first opened but a few of us don’t pride ourselves on our knitting or crocheting skills.

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“So, we had a think about what else we could do. Through the summer months, the village grounds are filled with beautiful lavender plants.

“Instead of letting it all go to waste, we picked the lavender, dried it in our own homes and made lavender pouches to raise money for a local charity.

“We now make cards, bookmarks, lavender pouches, and beeswax candles.

“It wasn’t until our allotment day in the summer that someone named us the lavender ladies.

“It has stuck now, and we like it. It’s so much fun and we’re already planning what we can make in the summer.”

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Nick Vincent, general manager at Audley Chalfont Dene, said: “Charity initiatives are more important than ever before as we consider how Covid-19 has impacted local charities.

“It is great to see our owners rallying together and using their skills to make a positive impact for those who need it.

“The Lavender Ladies embody the sense of community we have at Audley Chalfont Dene and we are so proud of the work that they have accomplished.”