Style Birmingham

Young choristers from Birmingham Cathedral Choir swapped their music sheets for forks and trowels to plant pots of flowers in St Philip’s grounds. Wearing their blue cassocks, the boys potted up white impatiens and begonias to bring a splash of colour to the main entrance to the cathedral for the forthcoming national RHS Britain in Bloom competition.

Last year, Birmingham scooped a gold award in the regeneration category of the Heart of England in Bloom competition, was named overall category winner and nominated to represent the region at year’s national finals.

Birmingham’s bid for blooming glory is being spearheaded by the City Centre Partnership, together with its many partners and voluntary groups. An array of eye-catching floral displays and features will be springing up around the city throughout June, including the Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail.

Like last year, the trail will be themed around “local roots”, celebrating the history, heritage and culture of the area. A key focus will be a celebration of the life of manufacturing entrepreneur Matthew Boulton, who died 200 years ago.

The cathedral choir planting is one of many projects that have already been carried out by community groups to prepare for Britain in Bloom. The planters will complement fortnightly floral displays inside St Phillip’s linked to Matthew Boulton and the Lunar Society. There will also be a floral sculpture based on the Lunar Society, sponsored by the new Colmore Business District, which will on display in the cathedral grounds from late June.