Countess Wear Bulb Planting

By Ed Shaw (Community Physical Activity Organiser)

A resident often walked past the green space near the centre of Countess Wear and imagined it bursting with colour. One spring morning, they paused by the trees and thought, “Wouldn’t it be lovely to see daffodils and crocuses here next year?” That thought stayed with them, and soon they were chatting to Emma, the local Community Builder, about the idea.

Encouraged by their enthusiasm, Emma helped the resident apply for a small grant from the city council to buy bulbs. She also helped liaise with the council to get permission to plant around the bases of the trees—something that took a few emails and a bit of patience, but eventually got the green light.

With the bulbs ordered and a planting date set, Emma and Ed, the local Community Physical Activity Organiser, spread the word.

On a crisp autumn morning, residents of all ages gathered—school children with trowels in hand, parents, grandparents, and even a couple of local councillors. Café 24, just around the corner, kindly provided hot drinks and biscuits to keep everyone warm and cheerful.

There was laughter, muddy knees, and a real sense of shared purpose as hundreds of bulbs were carefully placed in the soil. Some of the children enjoyed it so much that they returned the next day with their families to plant more bulbs.

And when spring arrived, the transformation was magical. Yellow, purple, and white flowers danced in the breeze, drawing smiles from passers-by and sparking conversations among neighbours. People stopped to take photos, and one resident said, "It's amazing to see everything in bloom."

Buoyed by the success, the group is now planning their next step: planting wildflowers along the embankment in the local park. Emma’s already been in touch with the council again, and a few residents have started researching which native species would thrive there.

What started as a simple idea has grown into something much more—a blooming reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together."