'Return City's Flower Power' demands former mayor, Cllr Robert Dryden

14 February 2008 - Valentine's Day Press Release

Former Mayor and respected Cherry Hinton Councillor Robert Dryden is leading Labour's campaign to reverse LibDem destruction of 16 seasonal flower and bulb beds across the city. The LibDems are replacing them with 'low maintenance permanent planting' - all in a bid to save around £20,000 a year, when they spend over £1m a year on consultants and unnecessary bureaucracy.

Rob said "The LibDems are being totally short sighted for such a small saving because the beds give such great pleasure to 100,000 residents and our millions of visitors".

"The new LibDem flower beds will look more like the edging round supermarket car parks. It is also disgraceful to destroy the Princess Diana Rose Garden which was a community response and lasting memorial to her work. Along with other Labour Councillors, I will fight to get the city's 'flower power' back, reinstating every one of these seasonal flower and bulb beds".

(photo: courtesy of Cambridge Evening News)

What is your view? Email Cllr Rob Dryden on robert.dryden@cambridge.gov.uk or ring him on 01223 457246.

IN DETAIL

The 16 seasonal flower and bulb beds that the LibDems have chopped and which Labour councillors want to restore:

- Princess Diana Rose Garden on Christ's Pieces
- Four seasonal flower and bulb beds recently removed from Christ's Pieces and Jesus Green
- City Centre flower beds near Hills Road War Memorial, Hobson's Conduit, Market Square Fountain and Lion Yard Roof Garden
- Local flower beds at Highworth Avenue small island (Chesterton), Alexandra Gardens and Honey Hill  (Castle ward), Queen Ediths/Fendon Road Island, Coleridge Rec, Cherry Hinton Hall Parterre Garden, and even the Entrance Garden at the Crematorium.