News / parks
Volunteers ‘distressed’ after thousands of new bulbs accidentally mowed by council
On Saturday, Green Party councillors Rob Bryher and Cara Lavan smiled for the camera as they helped to plant bulbs in St George Park in a huge community effort.
Less than four days later, however, the pair had their heads in their hands as the Green-led Bristol City Council’s parks department mowed the area where 30,000 spring bulbs had just been planted, damaging and likely killing the plants.
Volunteers have been left in “great distress” while the council say they are continuing to investigate how the mistake happened.
St George West councillor Rob Bryher and St George Central councillor Cara Lavan were all smiles during the bulb planting – photo: FOSGP
Around 70 volunteers of all ages joined the planting session on Saturday to plant thousands of bulbs around St George Library.
“Most were families with small children,” said Clouds Hill Avenue resident, Victoria Bromley.
“My four-year-old daughter had a fantastic time with her friends, sorting the bulbs and filling the holes.
“With a huge effort nearly all the green bulbs were planted in few hours and the volunteers shared tea and biscuits in celebration, excited to see the flowers starting to bloom in a few weeks’ time.
“However, less than four days later, Bristol City Council parks department mowed the planted areas, damaging and likely killing the plants.
“This has caused great distress to the locals who organised and participated in the event.”
The new bulbs were planted close to St George Library – photo: FOSGP
It was a sad sight after the mowing – photo: FOSGP
The planting was planned and run by the community group Friends of St George Park (FOSGP), who raised more than £6,000 for the bulbs by selling duck food at the Bake Box cafe in the park.
The event had been organised over several months in coordination with Bristol City Council.
Bristol24/7 understands that the council were due to issue a news release about the community effort until the mowing happened.
Bromley added: “While this is the most recent and perhaps the most egregious example, it is not the first time that FOSGP has encountered disarray within the council and a lack of communication between departments that has led to wasted work, goodwill and money, as well as audacious requests from the council for free labour…
“This is a story of Bristol City Council relying on the community groups to plug holes in council funding by organising to improve their local parks and then trashing their efforts, morale and hard-earned funds through organisational failings.”
After the mowing – photo: FOSGP
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We recognise the upset and concern this incident has caused the local community.
“Officers are investigating the events around the mowing of this area, and will liaise directly with the ward councillors and local volunteers to address the situation.
“A payment will be made to the group to cover the costs of the bulbs and we will be looking to support any upcoming event or park improvement activity led by the Friends of St George Park where possible.”
Main photo: FOSGP
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
