Award winning Stafford park says thank you with flowers
The carpet bed at an award-winning park in Stafford has become a tribute to all those who have helped the community during the pandemic.
Victoria Park reopened last year following a £2.5 million National Lottery-funded restoration which saw the carpet bed located to a new position near the bowling green.
Now a floral tribute in the shape of a rainbow with the words ‘Thank You’ has been created to honour the work of the NHS, key workers and volunteers.
Stafford Borough Council has also placed a plaque next to the bed which says the thank you is for those “who have done such important work during the pandemic”.
Throughout the years the bed has hosted many floral tributes to charities and organisations who have provided integral work to benefit the Stafford borough community – as well as to mark major national events such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
One of those organisations is the Royal British Legion – and it will soon have the carpet bed in Stonefield Park in Stone dedicated to it as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Thousands of plants have been used in the creation of the designs.
Victoria Park reopened in October after a facelift financed by the National Heritage Lottery Fund including a restored bandstand and listed Mottram Shelter, new café and education centre.
Emotional
Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge, cabinet member for leisure at the council said it was very emotional to see such a beautiful display honouring the ‘heroes’ of Covid-19.
She added: “This is such a small gesture to say thank you for all those dedicated NHS professionals, key workers and volunteers who have made incredible sacrifices especially over many months in protecting and helping loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic. In my eyes they are all heroes.
“Our park attracts thousands of local people and visitors who spend many hours enjoying its beauty and facilities - and our carpet bed is always an attractive talking point.
“This wonderful bed was created by Chris Brown from the council’s streetscene team and as I watched the floral tribute take shape I felt very emotional, reflecting on what this display represents. I know this will be very well received.”
Councillor Trowbridge added: “I am also very pleased that the wonderful Royal British Legion will have pride of place in Stonefield Park. The organisation has been a key partner of the council for many years offering tremendous support to serving and ex-serving personnel in our borough all year round.”
Victoria Park was opened in 1908 and has held a ‘Green Flag’ as one of the best parks and open spaces in the country for 15 years. To find out more about the park go to staffordbc.gov.uk/victoriapark
For more on Stonefield Park, which was opened in 1928, visit staffordbc.gov.uk/stonefield-park
