THE High Sheriff of Wiltshire has praised the Trowbridge Flower Festival saying she hopes it will ‘pave the way’ for the rest of the county to follow suit.

Speaking at the festival’s official launch at the historic Parade House in Trowbridge, Dr Olivia Chapple said: “It’s lovely to see great new creative ideas and to have such a connection with plants and gardening.

“It is a huge thing for me as part of my working life, running Horatio’s Garden, a charity that builds gardens right in the heart of NHS spinal injury centres.

“I have seen at first-hand for the past 12 years the impact that even the tiniest bit of green space can make.

“You are going to be paving the way in Wiltshire for flower festivals and for people getting involved in the community initiative.”

Wiltshire’s High Sheriff Dr Olivia Chapple launches Trowbridge Flower Festival at Parade House. Image: Trevor Porter 77111-5Wiltshire’s High Sheriff Dr Olivia Chapple launches Trowbridge Flower Festival at Parade House. Image: Trevor Porter 77111-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Trowbridge mayor, Cllr Stephen Cooper, said: “It’s great to see Trowbridge in bloom and to see something happening in the town centre that actually brightens up the streets that makes people feel happy and that they can get involved with.”

The Trowbridge Flower Festival features has been organised by the town’s Chamber of Commerce and features displays in more than 50 shops and offices throughout the town.

Businesses, organisations and charities are taking part by displaying flowers and plants in their windows from Saturday (June 8). The festival has been organised to coincide with national Great Big Green Week from June 8-16. 

Chris Wilde, of Trowbridge Garden Centre, with some of the 400 plants and flowers they provided for the Trowbridge Flower Festival. Image: Trevor Porter 77111-2Chris Wilde, of Trowbridge Garden Centre, with some of the 400 plants and flowers they provided for the Trowbridge Flower Festival. Image: Trevor Porter 77111-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Chris Wilde, manager of Trowbridge Garden Centre, said: “We have supplied lots of plants and flowers to local businesses, including hanging baskets and various bits which we have distributed around the town.”

The displays will continue over the summer months with the aim of bringing colour, nature and increased footfall to Wiltshire’s county town.

There will be flower-themed window painting, colourful hanging baskets and planters, floral window displays, flower-related activities and even circus and tea party-themed floral displays.

Flower Festival trail maps will be available for residents and visitors to discover the displays on a fun floral safari around Trowbridge town centre. Maps will be available to download from trowbridgechamber.com/events/.

Each of the Flower Festival windows on the trail map will display a unique number and the challenge is to add up all the numbers and email the total to info@trowbridgechamber.com. 

Correct entries will go into a draw to win prizes, including a £100 voucher from the Trowbridge Garden Centre.