Businesses dig deep for bulb planting challenge

Published by Kelly Elliott for Frank Haslam Milan in Housing and also in Communities

Residents of a County Durham village are looking forward to enjoying a colourful springtime flower display after more than 400 bulbs were planted by two local businesses.

The crocus bulbs were planted in an area of open space outside Graham Court – a sheltered housing scheme owned by Cestria Community Housing, situated in the village of Sacriston.

Properties in the area owned by the Association are currently undergoing improvement work, being carried out by Frank Haslam Milan, (FHM) North East, and staff from both organisations were joined by subcontractors for the planting on Friday.

The event was part of Durham County Council’s 2011 Bulb Planting Challenge, in which local groups are provided with 200 free bulbs and asked to provide a further 200 themselves.

Despite being faced with rain on the day of the planting, the FHM and Cestria volunteers dug deep and managed to plant an impressive 450 bulbs in just a matter of hours.

Heather Miller, Lead Resident Liaison Officer at FHM, organised the event and said: “The idea of the Bulb Planting Challenge is to brighten up neighbourhoods across County Durham.

“We are always keen to contribute to the communities in which we work and this seemed like an ideal opportunity to join forces with Cestria and make a difference to Sacriston.

“Planting the bulbs in the front garden of Graham Court means when the flowers come out in spring they can be enjoyed by the whole village.”

Lisa Coverdale, Customer Relationship Manager at Chester-le-Street-based Cestria, also took part in the event.

She said: “We jumped at the chance to take part in this challenge – we are continually investing in the communities in which our properties are situated to ensure they are safe, clean and comfortable places to live.

“This has included taking part in litter picks, painting over graffiti or events such as today,which will benefit the whole village once the flowers are in bloom.

“It was a great effort by everyone involved and we can’t wait to see the results come the springtime.”

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and partnerships at Durham County Council, has praised the work of the two organisations.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone who is helping to make County Durham an even nicer place to live, work and play by supporting our Civic Pride campaigns like the bulb planting initiative which is currently underway.

“Springtime may seem a long way off but the efforts of the many people who have carefully panted all these bulbs will be rewarded when there is a sea of colour in their neighbourhoods for all to enjoy.”