The floral trail is back in the city centre – complete with two new wicker sculptures designed by local children.
A pair of theatre masks thought up by Millie Fenton, aged 10, from The Milford Academy, Clifton, and a teddy bear designed by Mya Murden, also aged 10, from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary Academy, Bulwell, were chosen as competition winners to join the floral trail, which is organised by Nottingham City Council’s Nottingham in Bloom team and the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID).
The girls’ designs were transformed into giant wicker sculptures by Topiary Art Designs and were planted at Nottingham City Council’s nursery.
The award-winning Floral Trail has been a key part of the city’s summer landscape for four years, helping to make Nottingham attractive during the summer months and engaging with shoppers through a ‘tweet a selfie’ competition.
It comprises a series of wicker sculptures that represent ways of enjoying yourself in Nottingham or something that can be bought in the city. The theatre masks and teddy bear 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: “The two new sculptures will be welcome additions to the Floral Trail which has captured the interest of so many visitors to the city centre over the last few years.”
Councillor Cat Arnold, Nottingham City Council’s Executive Assistant for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “I am delighted that local children have used their imagination and artistic skills to come up with ideas for the floral trail. Congratulations to Millie and Mya for designing two fantastic sculptures that will have a wide appeal for people visiting Nottingham city centre this summer.”
Millie, left, and Mya are seen with their designs