Special theme revealed for 2018 Tamworth in Bloom launch
The 2018 Tamworth in Bloom campaign has been launched, revealing a very special theme for this year.
Tamworth Borough Council is celebrating three very important anniversaries with this year’s Tamworth in Bloom theme – ‘Homecoming 2018’:- 100 years since the end of WW1, 100 years since the Girl Guides were formed in Tamworth and the1100th anniversary of ‘The Lady of the Mercians’, Aethelflaed’s death in Tamworth.
This year’s Tamworth in Bloom campaign will include a number of festive and floral celebrations to mark these important anniversaries.
In keeping with Tamworth in Bloom tradition, the Moor Street traffic island at the end of Lichfield Street will be given a new design to reflect the new theme, with raised flower beds planted within a battlefield trench, wild flowers and a very special tribute to the end of WW1.
Tamworth Girl Guides will gather together for a centenary picnic on June 23 in the Castle Grounds. A special flower bed will be planted with the Girl Guides crest, near the bowling green.
New planting is taking place by the stone Aethelflaed monument, at the bottom of the castle slope by Holloway lodge. ‘Our Aethel’ will be celebrated with new perennials and shrubs plus new benches that visitors can use to enjoy the newly transformed area.
Continuing with honouring our Lady of the Mercians, the bandstand flower beds will display a special floral crown and the Mercia flag. Guaranteed to be a very eye-catching piece, these spectacular tributes will complement the Mercian Mosaic that will be laid on the lower lawn on Saturday, July 14.
This year Tamworth is looking to strike gold for the ninth year in a row in the Heart of England in Bloom competition so the pressure is on to maintain the high standard of previous years.
Street Scene teams from Tamworth Borough Council will be out in force in the coming weeks to prepare the area for its summer floral display. Communities, groups, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to get involved to help make the town shine, even if that’s just by putting up a hanging basket.
Businesses are invited to join in by sponsoring a display; banners, planters, troughs and flowerbeds are all available for branding with the names of supporting companies.
Andrew Barratt, Tamworth Borough Council’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “There are many commemoration events happening this year in Tamworth. Aethelflaed died on June 12 in Tamworth, as the royal capital of the Kingdom of Mercia, and a weekend of celebrations has been planned in the borough to mark the anniversary. Events include a Mercian Mosaic that will be constructed in the Castle Grounds along with a Saxon encampment and academic conference.
“We are delighted to also be joining the Girl Guides to mark their 100- year anniversary
with a badge floral display in the Castle Grounds.
“People across the country will be taking part in the commemoration of WW1. Tamworth will undoubtedly be proud to honour the occasion and pay homage with a homecoming display.
“Tamworth in Bloom is not just about the flowers – it’s about working with and celebrating the groups, organisations and individuals in the borough, and doing our bit to make Tamworth a place to be proud of.
“We hope that even more people will get involved in helping to make Tamworth bloom again this year.”
To get involved in this year’s Tamworth In Bloom campaign, or for more information on sponsorship packages, contact Environmental Management on 01827 709445 or email environmentalmanagement@tamworth.gov.uk
