A floral display is being constructed in Birmingham City Centre as a gesture of thanks from Birmingham City Council to key workers during the pandemic.
Located in front of the Council House in Victoria Square, it features the NHS logo as the centrepiece surrounded by a rainbow and other items associated with key workers and the community activity during this unusual time.
The display is being created by Birmingham’s parks and nurseries team, which includes Cofton Nursery in Rednal.
The flowers were originally to be used as part of the council’s Chelsea Flower show entry, however due to the cancellation of the event, the flowers are being reused alternatively, along with items that formed previous entries.
This included a floral double decker bus, a nod to the public transport services that have continued to operate during the lockdown for key workers getting to and from work.
There will be a reflection of the retail workers who kept up the supply of essential items during the lockdown with a planted out shopping trolley. It will also mark the contribution from the refuse and street cleaning teams with some planted out bins.
The edge of the display will be a mixture of posters to support the council workers and employees from partner organisations.
Birmingham’s Chelsea sponsor, Veolia, have kindly agreed to fund the changes to enable the piece to be developed.
Mark Powell, General Manager at Veolia in Birmingham, said: “Birmingham residents have been very supportive of our teams on the front line and we are proud to sponsor this exhibit honouring all the city’s key workers during the pandemic.
“Repurposing the plants that were intended for the Chelsea Flower Show aligns with Veolia’s values on reusing and recycling resources and our shared appreciation for those who have contributed most in these difficult times.”
Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, said: “Our Parks and Nurseries team never cease to amaze with their creativity and resourcefulness.
“It’s great that we have been able to find a fitting alternative use for the flowers and plants that would have been used at Chelsea – as well as being a way to demonstrate our gratitude, it symbolises our commitment to reuse and recycling wherever possible.
“The finished display will hopefully be appreciated by everyone who has played a part in keeping the city safe and operational during these challenging times.
“On behalf of everyone at the city council, I would like to repeat our thanks to everyone involved and to the parks staff for doing this.”
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BVoices is committed in supporting communities across south west Birmingham and surrounding by keeping them informed and engaged. Please see the following:
• Community Chat for south west Birmingham • Coronavirus support
• Community Classroom – Resources for parents & carers
• Community Together • Mental Health & Wellbeing through COVID-19
• Community Kindness • Positive acts during the COVID-19 outbreak
• SW Brum Camera Club – for the love of the lens – Photography Birmingham
• SWBrum Jobs Page
• Community Recycle – Repurpose & Reuse – SW Birmingham & Surrounding
