Town council support flower power displays

The council has now agreed to install another display next year after such success.

Wirksworth Town Council said that nearly all the respondents surveyed said that the colourful display, which featured a series of floor-standing planters, had improved the appearance of the town during the summer months.

The planters were installed and maintained by Derbyshire floral features firm Plantscape, which supplies floral features for councils and other organisations across the country.

Planted in a bright, colourful mixture of surfinia, geraniums and begonia, the display comprised of two three-tier planters, three floor-standing pathway planters and a window box.

The planters were sited in a number of locations around the town, including outside the library in Coldwell Street, in the market place and along St John’s Street, and were installed at the end of May in time for the town’s carnival and well-dressing.

It was the first time that the council had received a display from Plantscape and the results of the survey, which was carried out this autumn, showed that the venture had been a success.

Councillor Andy Pollock, Mayor of Wirksworth, said: “We have had a couple of planters in the town but planting up and maintenance has always been an issue as we have limited staff resources.

“This year we wanted to trial an extended display to see what the reaction was. Following a number of early comments about the flowers we wanted to carry out a formal survey to help us understand exactly what our residents and visitors thought. We have been overwhelmed by the level of support for retaining the planters in future years.”

For more information visit www.plantscapeuk.com.