A spring full of surprises with 80,000 bulbs

80,000 bulbs are being planted together but will flower at different times throughout the spring months – a first for this type of planting in Cheltenham.

The blanket of colour will include a mix of ten different types of bulbs such as tulips, crocuses and daffodils. The display will be enjoyed in the Westal Green and Lansdown Road area of town as Councillor Chris Ryder, chair of Cheltenham in Bloom, was keen to enhance the gateway into Cheltenham.

Chris Ryder said:  ‘’It’s great to be able to do things in a different way with this year’s bulb planting. We will see a variety of colour throughout the spring months which will create a lovely gateway into the centre of town. My thanks goes to those who have offered funding and volunteered their time to support this project.’’

Malcom Walls, community parks officer added:  ‘’Volunteers, committee members, officers and councillors are all digging in and we are pleased to have so much support.  Project like these are great for the environment and add to the enjoyment for all those living in and visiting Cheltenham.’’

To make the project possible, Cheltenham in Bloom was awarded £2,760 from the council’s Community Pride grant scheme, a £200 donation from the Cheltenham Civic Society and a private donation of £200 from a Cheltenham in Bloom committee member.

Next spring, when it’s time to re-plant, the Cheltenham in Bloom team will sow wild flower seeds into the same area, when shades of yellow and blue can be expected.  It follows the overwhelming success of this year’s urban meadows project when the council transformed parks, gardens and even areas of wasteland with eye-catching wildflower displays.

 

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Photo call:  Friday 14 November, 10 – 12 noon, at the junction of Queens Road and Lansdown Road – please contact Katie Sandey.

For press enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications team leader, on 01242 775037 or email [email protected]

Notes

The bulbs are being planted by Cheltenham in Bloom volunteer committee members with the help of individuals from various volunteer groups from across the town: Cheltenham Horticultural Society, Friends of Pittville Park, Civic Society, Friends of Jenner Gardens, Friends of Imperial Gardens, Friend of Hatherely Park and other Bloom Members. Councillors Diggory Seacome and Tim Harman will be digging later this week as well.

24,000 bulbs are also being planted at Glenfall Way on the London Road gateway into Cheltenham. Charlton Kings in Bloom volunteers are planting them Saturday 15 November from 9am onwards.