Town to celebrate the best of British

Kirkham’s In Bloom group were determined to make sure the town’s jubilee celebrations went with a bang – and have commissioned three very special sculptures to mark the occasion.

A 6ft tall crown and towering orb are set to take centre stage in the town’s Market Square, while July’s Olympics will be recognised with an 8ft high Olympic torch in the flower bed by Morrisons supermarket.

Colourful plants will adorn the three sculptures as part of an ambitious plan thought up by Coun Liz Oades, who wanted to ensure the town looked at its very best for this summer’s celebrations.

Coun Elaine Silverwood, who is also part of the In Bloom group, said: “It is a Kirkham in Bloom initiative to mark the jubilee and the Olympics.

“Kirkham Town Council has taken on its own parks and gardens now and these are the kinds of things we want to do for the town, although this is being done by the In Bloom group.

“They are certainly big enough to make an impact – the torch is going to be 8ft tall.

“We wanted them to be metal structures but then they are going to be planted up.

Jewels

“The jewels in the crown will be created with flowers and the torch will have plants flowing out of it and a flame at the top with hanging plants.”

The sculptures have been made by Kirkham blacksmiths Andrew Barnes and Lorraine Nixon at Arch Forge, on Progress Business Park, and the crown and orb are due to be put in place next week.

Mr Barnes added: “They are not just for the Jubilee, they will be there for many years.

“We make things which will last for a long time and the town will have them for a long time.”

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