The winning design from the Your Future Solihull flowerbed competition can now be enjoyed by residents and visitors in Malvern Park in Solihull town centre.
The impressive flower display embeds several sustainability themed symbols, including an electric car, solar panels, tree planting and the recycling symbol.
Launched by Love Solihull in September last year, the winner of this year’s competition was Jack, a year five pupil from Balsall Common Primary School. The flowerbed display celebrates Solihull’s progress towards a more sustainable future and aims to raise awareness about climate change related issues such as recycling, solar power, and transport.
The flowerbed can be seen to the side of the shared footpath / cycleway which runs through the park, close to one of the West Midlands cycle hire docking stations. Planted by Kernock Park Plants, a nursery which specialises in flower displays, the design will be on show throughout the summer months. The arrangement of the flowerbed was aided by modern and digitised technology which meant the assembly was like piecing together a giant jigsaw, helping it to look as precise as it does.
As well as getting to see his design in pride of place in Malvern Park, Jack also won a Love Solihull goodie bag and £100 of gift vouchers for his school. The vouchers will contribute to environmental improvements for everyone at Balsall Common Primary School to enjoy. Jack’s goodie bag included a water bottle, a book about climate change, a certificate, a pin badge, and a rainbow vegetable growing kit.
Councillor Diana Holl-Allen MBE, The Mayor of Solihull, said:
“The Your Future Solihull flowerbed is a wonderful addition to Malvern Park. Situated in such a prominent position, the arrangement will be viewed by thousands of people this summer as they walk, run and cycle past. The impressive display will certainly grab the attention of passers-by, helping them imagine what a future more sustainable Solihull might look like. Well done to Jack for his winning design.”
Councill Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment & Infrastructure, said:
“Having seen the display for myself, it looks even better in person. Like many of the submissions, Jack really understood the assignment and included some key sustainability themes within his design. I’d like to thank the Love Solihull team for organising the competition and engaging school children in such a creative way on the topic of climate change.”
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