Historian is rooting for Floral City victory
Released: 13 March 2008
Popular historian Professor Carl Chinn MBE will this week urge green-fingered residents, community groups and businesses to get gardening and help Wolverhampton’s bid for Floral City glory.
A panel of judges will visit the city this summer to see if Wolverhampton’s entry in the Heart of England in Bloom competition, entitled Floral City, has got what it takes to be awarded a coveted gold medal.
And after scooping silver gilts in the in the last two years, Wolverhampton is ‘growing for gold’ this time around.
Professor Chinn, the ambassador for Wolverhampton’s Floral City bid, will be encouraging people to get involved when he speaks at its official launch at the Novotel on Wednesday, March 19. Free tickets are available now.
Barbara Kay, Wolverhampton City Council’s Head of Tourism and Development, said: “We are delighted that Carl Chinn MBE is supporting our entry in this year’s Heart of England in Bloom competition.
“Over the years our entries have turned the city into a palette of colour. Residents, businesses and community groups - along with the council and City Centre Company - have put on vibrant and colourful displays of hanging baskets, window displays and floral shows in our green spaces, streets and parks.
“This year we want to make the city brighter than ever and so we are introducing competitions to encourage residents and businesses to decorate their buildings and gardens, with prizes and certificates up for grabs.”
The theme of this year’s event is Local Roots and judges will tour the area looking for displays which highlight the unique history and cultural diversity of our communities. They will hope to see evidence of community and business involvement in putting on floral displays, large or small, which add to the colour and vibrancy of the city.
They could include gardens with trees or plants representing different cultural groups, a sensory garden for disabled people or floral displays which celebrate a key moment in the history of a community or a famous figure who lived there.
Barbara added: “Our Floral City campaign is not just about flowers. It is also about commitment to the environment, including litter control, safety, recycling, graffiti and education, all of which will help make Wolverhampton a more attractive place to live, work and enjoy.”
For more information about how you can get involved, call Barbara Kay on 01902 551070 or email barbara.kay@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can join Carl Chinn at the launch event at the Novotel from 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 19. To book your free place call in to the Visitor Information Centre at Queen Square, phone 01902 556110 or email visitorinfo@wolverhampton.gov.uk. Please note that places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
Issued by the press office.