Blooming wonderful

Thanks to a generous donation from a local plant company, some of our local schools, community partners and residents have been getting in the mood for spring.

Plants, flowers and being outdoors are all great for our mental wellbeing, so GGT were delighted to be offered the donation of bulbs from Hayloft Plants near Pershore which included tulips, alliums and anemones.  

GGT Chief Executive Mark Gale said: "It was such great timing to be offered this donation of bulbs, as we're all looking forward to spring after a very tough winter. I think I must have collected around 5,000 bulbs, which we've been able to share with schools and residents - whether people have their own garden or not, some of the bulbs can be planted indoors to bring a bit of the outside in."

Some of our colleagues from Gloucester Services who are on furlough kindly volunteered their time to help bag some of the bulbs up, in the comfort and safety of their own homes.  

Colleague Iveta said: "Getting the bulbs organised helped to break out of four walls and really helped to take my mind off things! Planting some of the tulips in my own garden was a great treat. I am looking forward to the spring to see the sprouts come out the ground and most of all find out what colour tulips I have picked. The surprise bulb planting makes it all the more fun. I hope the packs of tulips brings someone else as much joy as it did for me!"

Local schools including Robinswood Primary Academy also planted some of the bulbs with their Forest School leader, giving some of the children currently in school the exciting opportunity to plant something and watch it grow over the coming weeks.  We hope the results will be blooming wonderful!

For anyone planting their own bulbs, our community partner Fair Shares have created a helpful bulb planting video, with the help of Rachel who manages the Fair Shares allotment.