VISITORS and residents will be treated to a display of colourful wooden flowers decorated by local school children and planted in Wallwood for this summer’s RHS Flower Show in Tatton Park.

The project, which is being sponsored by local companies Eleven Recruitment and Little Waitrose, will involve children decorating the tall wooden flowers to reflect this year’s RHS themes of bugs and insects and green/eco initiatives.

Bob Garner, Knutsford Town Council’s Town Ranger, is using his craft skills to produce 20 flowers to be ‘planted’ in Wallwood from the opening day of the RHS show on July 17 through to the final day on July 21.

Wallwood is a small woodland at the top of King Street, near the entrance to Tatton Park. The wood was gifted to the town for the purpose of public recreation by the Tatton Estate.

Nick Smith, managing director of Eleven Recruitment, said: “As a local business we are delighted to be involved with this community project to promote the town during the RHS Show.”

Charlotte Fearn, customer service manager of Little Waitrose, said: “Little Waitrose might be a nationwide brand, but we always try and support local initiatives in the community.

“Whether it is Pumpkin Path or Easter Bunny Hop, we enjoy supporting local events and this is a lovely unique project.”

The flowers will be a new addition to Knutsford’s very successful Floral Walk, and although not part of the official judging process it is envisaged the judges will visit to enjoy the spectacle.

After the show the flowers will be returned to the participating schools and nurseries.

Sandra Curties, town centre manager, said: “We are grateful to the sponsors for enabling us to organise this ‘garden’, and if this project proves popular we hope to extend it next year, with different ages and community groups getting involved.”

The RHS Show at Tatton Park runs from July 17 to 21, with opening hours of 10am to 6.30pm from Wednesday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

The website said the event promised ‘a fabulous day out bursting with colourful gardening inspiration, fun family activities, have-a-go workshops and boutique shopping’.

Tickets for the show are available at rhstattonpark.seetickets.com/