Council Mowing Destroys 30,000 Volunteer-Planted Bulbs in Bristol Park
Volunteers in Bristol have been left 'beyond angry' and 'demoralised' after Bristol City Council mowed down over 30,000 bulbs they had fundraised to plant in St George Park. The 'catastrophic and ignorant' action occurred less than four days after nearly 70 volunteers, ranging from 9 months old to early 80s, spent Saturday planting the bulbs to beautify the green space and support local wildlife.
Community Fundraising Effort Wiped Out
The Friends of St George Park group had raised £6,000 themselves to purchase the bulbs through an extensive community effort. This involved packaging and selling more than 12,000 bags of duck food at the local park café. The volunteers were overjoyed with their work, with one noting that 'the before and after photos say it all - a once empty space has now been transformed and will look incredible once everything comes into bloom.' The bulbs, including daffodils, were intended not only to add colour but also to support pollinators and the local bat population.
Council Involvement and Communication Failure
Ironically, Bristol City Council had been involved in organising the planting event, with a council officer providing assistance on how to properly plant the bulbs. However, poor communication is believed to have led to the devastating mowing. The council has since opened an internal investigation into what has been branded an 'absolute disaster.' Local councillor Rob Bryher, who participated in the planting, expressed his anger, stating, 'I am beyond angry at this... I will be working to ensure Friends of St George Park is compensated by the council for this catastrophic and ignorant action.'
Volunteer Reactions and Hopes for Recovery
Harmony Seeko, an admin for the Friends of St George Park, shared the 'sad news' on Facebook, explaining that the green shoots had been 'shredded' by the mowing. The group is now waiting to hear from the council on how this happened and is hoping for compensation for the damaged plants. While demoralised, volunteers remain optimistic that some bulbs may survive and bloom next spring, though experts warn that many could be 'blind' next year due to the loss of leaves that feed the bulbs.
Public Outcry and Council Response
The incident has sparked widespread fury among locals, with comments ranging from 'unforgivable' to 'appalled.' Some blamed outsourced services and management failures, while others criticised the council's environmental credentials. Bristol City Council has acknowledged the upset, stating, '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.' The community now awaits answers and reparations for their hard work and dedication.
