Viva Mexico! Stroke victim turns Wolverhampton garden into exotic haven
When Ken Jordan suffered a stroke he knew it would stop him and wife Stacey going on their dream break abroad.
But the couple decided to bring the holiday home by transforming their Wolverhampton back garden into a Mexican paradise.
From Sombrero hats to cactus plants, the garden is decked out from top to bottom and even features a bespoke bar handmade by his brother Robert.
Now Mr Jordan, aged 67, is continuing his route to recovery following the stroke and he and his wife Stacey, 39, say they’ve ‘made lemons out of lemonade’ to make their School Lane home perfect for them.
Together with his wife of 14 years, the co-director of Four Ashes-firm Supreme Hygiene has also been fostering children for more than a decade and recently welcomed 10-year-old Jessica to the family.
He said: “I had a stroke just over two years ago and we went on a cruise a year after when I was starting to feel a little bit better.
“While we were on the cruise, we were talking to people who told us they’d been to Mexico and we said we would always love to go.
"But when I got back I said to Stacey that I didn’t think I could stand an eight-hour flight following the stroke.
"So we came up with the idea of bringing a bit of Mexico to Wolverhampton.
“It’s finished now and we’ve done it all out.
"My brother Robert Jordan built the bar and he’s done a fabulous job – it’s called Ken’s Bar.
“We’ve spent a lot of money but it looks great and at night you wouldn’t believe it – it looks so much better when it goes dark and the lights come on.
"Now we can sit outside and spend some quality time in the garden together.”
In total, it is estimated £5,000 was spent on renovating the back garden and all the decking has been built on railway sleepers to ensure it lasts.
The pair have been kitting out the garden with gifts from friends who have visited Mexico and brought back presents for them.
Last year, they were awarded a certificate – signed by the Mayor of Wolverhampton – after fostering for 10 years, during which they’ve looked after around 14 children.
Mr Jordan added: “I love sitting out there and watching the wildlife and the birds fly onto the fountain. We just get the gin and tonic out and have one in the bar.
“I’m okay now in terms of the stroke, I just get very tired easily.
"I’m amongst the living though and that’s the most important thing.”
