Durham City will soon be even more colourful after hundreds of packets of seeds were donated to schools and community projects.
Poplar Tree Garden Centre, located at Hall Lane in Shincliffe Village, donated the wild flower, vegetable and bedding flower seeds which will now be planted around the city.
The garden centre is a long-term sponsor of the ‘Beautiful Durham’ competition, as well as a supporter of Durham City’s RHS In Bloom campaign.
One school which received the seeds was Gilesgate Primary School based at Kepier Crescent, which has won a number of awards for outstanding work in its allotment.
The school, which is also one of the main partners of the Durham In Bloom campaign, has supported the Durham in Bloom bid for a number of years meeting the national Britain in Bloom judges during their 2015 and 2016 visits.
Pauline Walker, Durham County Council’s Senior Civic Pride officer, said: “Durham is a beautiful city and it’s great that the garden centre has donated these seeds which will further improve the appearance of the area, as well as providing important natural habitats for pollinators like bees.
“Gilesgate Primary School has worked exceptionally hard on its allotment and pupils are now looking forward to meeting the Northumbria in Bloom judges during their visit in July to speak about their work.”
Last year, Durham won Gold and overall category winner in the Northumbria In Bloom competition, winning the Bob Wooley Award after the founder of the competition. The city was also successful in achieving Gold in the national RHS Britain in Bloom competition – also in the prestigious ‘Champion of Champions’ category.
For further details about Durham City’s RHS In Bloom campaign, visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or follow the progress on Facebook www.facebook.com/durhambloom.
If you are part of a school or group who would like to get involved in improving the environment in your area please email the Civic Pride team at civicpride@durham.gov.uk or call 03000 261 000.