A blooming great idea?

A local business woman has suggested that village businesses and organisations could take on the management of the flower beds in the park to ensure they are maintained to a higher standard.

Heather Wienholt has written to the Parish Council saying she would like to take over management of one of the flower beds and sponsor it, plus get others to do the same.

Councillors were all in favour of this suggestion, which Cllr Mike Williamson described as "an excellent idea".

Cllr Melanie Connor agreed saying "I don't want the park to look like the entrance to the cemetery in a years time."

Heather told me "As the summer progressed it became apparent that the council have given up on looking after the flower beds in the park. The weeds overtaking the plants at the moment are really annoying me.

"I then thought that as a business some of my staff and I could go over to the park a couple of times each year and tend to a flower bed ourselves, we would buy the plants and design the bed, in return we would put a small sign in the bed saying it is being maintained by Wienholt's. It ties in with the big society idea.

"I am not in a position to administrate this idea though - I am looking to the council to manage the scheme."

She added "I feel that other community people should get involved, not just businesses, eg - allotment society, bowling groups, friends of the park, I even think the parish councillors should roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. Even just a group of mum's could take a bed as on as a project, they spend a lot of time standing round the park.

"I don't think it would take much effort to maintain one flower bed."

Speaking about the state of the park at Monday's Parish Council meeting, Cllr Duncan Herald said "Last year Cheshire East Council (CEC) came out to dig the flower beds twice, to be honest there is such a lack of labour because of a lack of money."

Cllr Melanie Connor responded "I disagree. Sandbach (where CEC's offices are) has beautiful gardens and flowers beds which are weeded regularly. The roads were swept and cleaned this morning and there is new planting around the centotaph. It looks lovely.

"So there is money, Cllr Michael Jones (Leader of CEC) just needs to be allocating it and keeping on top of people."

Heather Wienholt said she has also enquired whether the budget for a Jubilee memorial had been spent and suggested to the Parish Council that they might consider putting table tennis tables in the park to commemorate the Olympics instead as "they are something all ages and abilities can enjoy".

What do you think about the flower beds in Alderley Edge park and Heather Wienholt's suggestion that local businesses and organisations take on the management of them? Share your views via the comment box below.