January 2021

The Taking Root team are predominantly working from home at the moment but we have our eyes on the summer months when hopefully we can meet together again!

We are also hoping that this year’s planned Bootle in Bloom entry to the RHS In Bloom competition will go ahead and different residents and community groups have already come together to plan.  It was lovely to meet with everyone and see lots of smiling faces – even if it was only on Zoom!

We have begun to plan a provisional route and with thanks to the team of community journalists based at SAFE we are going to be able to document our journey in film.  This will be a video of the different sites in winter, spring and summer, and will show the range of the gardens, projects and organisations that are involved in Bootle in Bloom.

We are also pleased that our very own woodcarver Billy will be able to work with everyone involved to create a carving to go on display at each site.  These will help us to create a Bootle in Bloom theme but will also enable us to create a walking trail for local residents to explore, looking out for the carvings on the way.

The Taking Root team were allowed to go out in lockdown in install our first planter outside the Strand shopping centre. It’s actually safer to install it in lockdown while the streets are quieter.

This has been filled with strawberry plants to stop it looking empty, but will be filled with flowers in the summer.  The plan is now to make and install at least another nine before July – a big task but one our team is up to!

It is so uplifting to see everyone working together for In Bloom 2021 and it’s good to have something positive to focus on in such challenging times.  Thanks to everyone involved for their support and enthusiasm!