Two 3D carpet bed installations are being erected in Durham City as part of the city’s entry into the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions.
A floral Bishop’s Mitre will be installed, aptly, at the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre outside of British Home Stores and a floral St Cuthbert’s Cross will be erected at Palace Green – just outside of Durham Cathedral, which is home to the Shrine of St Cuthbert.
Both designs are associated with Durham’s heritage and were funded by the Durham Area Action Partnership. They will also support the city’s double entry in the prestigious ‘Champion of Champions’ category of the regional and national Bloom competitions.
In 2015, Durham City represented the Large Town category and won Gold and overall category winner in Northumbria in Bloom and Gold in Britain Bloom.
Alan Patrickson, head of Durham County Council direct services said: “We are always looking at different ways to engage with the public about the benefits of the Bloom campaigns.
“In recognition of Durham’s rich heritage, we are privileged to have two fantastic floral 3D displays, which we’re sure will prove popular with the people who visit, live and work in Durham.
“We are very grateful to both the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre and Durham University for displaying the installations on their premises and supporting our In Bloom campaigns.
Steve Andsell, Horticulture Manager at Durham University said: “It is a pleasure to work with our colleagues at Durham County Council and support the In Bloom campaign. I’m sure that visitors to Durham will appreciate these spectacular displays.”
People can see the 3D displays throughout summer and early autumn and will be viewed as part of the judges route when Northumbria in Bloom judges visit Durham on July 20 and on August 2 when Britain in Bloom judges come to the city.
Results of both In Bloom competitions will be announced later in the autumn.