Sea of poppies for City to Sea?
A sea of poppies could be planted on the walk towards the Hoe’s war memorial as part of the exciting City to Sea project to bring wildflowers into the heart of Plymouth.
More details and images of what could be a spectacular wildflower tribute to Plymouth’s proud military past are being unveiled as support for the wildflower project’s bid to be named Grow Wild’s English flagship and receive £120 000 of Big Lottery Funding gathers momentum.
The carpet of poppies leading up to the Hoe is one idea being put forward in the City to Sea project – which aims to reinvigorate the city centre with a striking kilometre-long green corridor to open up and reconnect views along the bustling Armada Way and inspire and enthuse commuters, shoppers and visitors, and encourage interaction between businesses.
Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Grow Wild inspires communities, friends, neighbours and individuals across the UK to come together to transform local spaces, by sowing, growing and enjoying native wild flowers.
If successful, the City to Sea’s wild flower planting could transform the plain North Cross entrance to the city with a palate of native wild flowers and even fruit that passers-by will be encouraged to pick and enjoy.
The walk from the station to the Hoe will be alive with flowers and fauna and its is hoped the new, more wild look will turn the area into a buzzing green events and learning space – benefitting the whole of Plymouth.
Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet member for the Environment said; “A carpet of poppies leading up to the Hoe is a stunning idea and a unique way of honouring those who fought and died for our country.
“Plymouth has a very strong military heritage. London has its beautiful ceramic poppies flowing out of the Tower of London. We could be getting real poppies planted in the path of our tower.”
He continued: “People are surprised at how much green space and parks we have here in Plymouth and as a Council we have worked closely with organisations to create great environments for bees and bugs in unusual settings – we pioneered bee verges on our roadside, for instance.
“This is another great idea – but it is all down to local people to back it all the way – so get voting.”
Voting is open until 4 November 2014. The Plymouth public can vote for City to Sea online at vote.growwilduk.com or by phone on 0808 228 7701
If successful, schools will be invited take part in the Big Sow, when over 1,000 pupils will sow wild flower seeds and play a hands-on role in bringing City to Sea to life.
The site will host bug hunts led by Buglife, incredible edible adventures with Food Plymouth and other events designed to inspire young people to interact with nature.
The Grow Wild English Flagship campaign has inspired huge amounts of interest and enthusiasm from thousands of Plymouth folk who have taken up the rallying call and got voting, tweeting and pinging Facebook messages
Plymouth’s latest Pilgrim and tourist attraction has been so taken by the idea he is bombarding friends across the Pond to vote.
Dave Saunders, who is a tourist guide along Plymouth’s historic waterfront, has set up an twitter account and is encouraging friends in the city as well as America and Norway
He said: “I think it’s a beautiful idea. We have wildflowers planted by the Council near our home and they look great. This is a lovely idea but people need to vote to make sure it happens. This is all about people power.
“We may be the smallest city involved in the vote… but we have some very big friends.”
