One hundred years of the Royal Air Force (RAF) are celebrated in a new floral display in Durham City.
Durham County Council chooses a different theme every year for the carpet bed at Gilesgate and opted, for 2018, to make it a tribute to a century of the air force.
Flowers have been planted in the shape of the ‘RAF 100’ badge, by council staff ably assisted by children from Gilesgate Primary School and 234 (City Of Durham) Squadron Air Training Corps.
Oliver Sherratt, the council’s head of direct services, said: “Each summer our environmental teams, with help from local school children, install the feature carpet bed at Gilesgate.
“The Royal Air Force has a proud history of achievements and considerable sacrifice for the country, and as it is now in its 100th year, I am delighted that we can provide a tribute to its century of service by replicating the RAF100 badge on the Gilesgate bed.”
Cllr Brian Stephens, the council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, added: “We would like to thank the air cadets and the children from Gilesgate Primary School for helping to plant the final pieces of the carpet bed design.
“Gilesgate pupils have been involved year on year with our Durham In Bloom efforts and this is the fifth time they have helped with the bed. We are very grateful for their continued support.
“The bed provides an attractive welcome to thousands of visitors and residents entering the city from the A690 and Gilesgate Bank, and is always very well received. We hope people enjoy the 2018 design as much as they have previous years.”
The carpet bed will be one of many displays and projects seen by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Northumbria and Britain in Bloom judges this summer.
Last year Durham took a gold award in the small city category of Northumbria in Bloom. The city also was named the best overall entry, picking up the Percy Boydell Trophy.
This year Durham will enter the small city category of Britain in Bloom.
A service of thanksgiving for 100 years of the RAF takes place at Durham Cathedral on 23 June featuring a salute and followed by a parade on Palace Green.