Flower display still goes ahead despite pandemic

Caerphilly town’s annual flower display has gone ahead this year despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Caerphilly in Bloom, which is funded by Caerphilly Town Council, sees flower planters and hanging baskets decorate Caerphilly town centre each summer, as part of the wider Wales in Bloom contest – which Caerphilly town is the reigning champion in its category.

The town’s other flower event – the Caerphilly Flower Festival – was called off earlier this year due to Covid-19.

The festival, which has been running since 2006 and was scheduled to be held in June, sees flower displays, created by residents and community groups, pop up around the town centre.

Councillor James Fussell, who is the main organiser of the display, said: “We always get good feedback on the display, which would have formed one of the main aspects of our entry to the Wales in Bloom Competition. 

“This was a real community event with entries from places of worship as well as community groups, so it’s very sad this could not go ahead this year.

“As we see the flowers grow, we will hopefully see more people return to the town centre and at Castle Court as the lockdown eases and there’s an improvement in people’s feeling of wellbeing.”

Cllr Mike Prew, mayor of Caerphilly town, said: “This is a display we can again be proud of. Indeed we have been able to add to the display this year.

“Our contractors J.S.Lee and flower suppliers Boverton Nursey in the Vale always do a great job for us and I understand we need to thank Castle Bingo – their misfortune due to the floods in February meant that flowers originally destined for them have been gifted to Caerphilly and to Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

“I am sure everybody’s spirits will be raised by this limited return to normality.”