Planters demoralised as council mows down 30,000 bulbs

Volunteers who spent hours planting 30,000 bulbs in a Bristol park say they were left in "disbelief" after council workers mowed over them just days later.

Friends of St George Park organised the planting of the bulbs on Saturday, with about 70 people of all ages involved.

Ailie Tam from the friends group said the waste of time, money and effort was "really demoralising".

Bristol City Council said it recognised the "upset and concern" caused by the incident, which was now being investigated.

Tam said it had taken months of planning and liaising with the council's conservation and parks teams to make the planting event happen - part of a wider plan to help wildlife thrive in the park.

The group had also raised money to pay for the bulbs by selling 12,000 bags of duck food.

Tam said when she found out the bulbs had been destroyed, she could not sleep.

"I got up and took my kids the next morning and they were so upset. It's just the disbelief of it," she said.

"It took a lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of effort. It's just such a waste and it's so disheartening."

Victoria Bromley said her four-year-old daughter had a great time planting the bulbs.

"I was so excited to bring her back, that was her little patch of flowers, so to see them cut off at the stalks is such an own goal by the council."

Tam said she had not had a response from the operations team at the council, which oversees the mowing, but believes they were aware of the planting beforehand.

She called for a "cultural shift" and conversation about the fact the parks groups were even more relied upon after cuts to the city council's budgets.

"But if there isn't this conversation and they are going to continue to mow down these efforts, it's really demoralising."

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "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."

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