Two local school children’s designs of a pair of theatre masks and a teddy bear have been chosen as the winners of this year’s Floral Trail design competition organised by Nottingham City Council’s Nottingham in Bloom team and the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID).
The fun theatre masks idea was conceived by Mille Fenton, age 10, from The Milford Academy in Clifton and the teddy bear was designed by Mya Murden, also age 10, from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary Academy in Bulwell.
The winning designs were chosen by a panel of judges who also took into account the number of ‘likes’ each shortlisted entry had received on the Nottingham BID’s ‘It’s In Nottingham’ Facebook page.
They will now be transformed into giant wicker sculptures by Topiary Art Designs and planted by the team at the Nottingham City Council Nursery at Woodthorpe Grange Park before making their big debut in the Floral Trail around the city centre this summer.
The aim of the Floral Trail, which has been a key part of the city’s summer landscape for the past four years, is to help make Nottingham as attractive a place as possible during the summer months and to engage with passers-by.
It comprises a series of wicker sculptures which represent ways of enjoying yourself in Nottingham or something that can be bought in the city. The theatre masks and Teddy bear will join 13 other sculptures: a handbag, shoe, perfume bottle, jacket, dress, hat, ring, teapot, champagne bottle, guitar, coffee cup and last year’s winning designs – a cupcake and an ice-skate – to form this year’s trail.
Neil Fincham, director of the Nottingham BID, said: “We are really pleased with the designs that have been chosen as the winners of the competition and look forward to seeing them become part of this year’s Floral Trail. Thanks to everyone who supported the competition by ‘liking’ their favourite entries.”