Lichfield’s canal restoration trust unveiled its stunning contribution to Blooming Lichfield when judging for Heart of England in Bloom took place last week (Thursday, July 25). Despite suffering weeks of blistering heat and bouts of brainless vandalism, our historic Gallows Wharf site looked a picture on a glorious summer day.
The Trust has created a Garden of Reflection at Gallows Wharf, close to the site of the city’s gallows, originally erected in 1532, where on June 1, 1810, the last three men to be hanged in Lichfield met their fate, for uttering forged banknotes. It was also at Gallows Wharf, near the junction of London Road and Tamworth Road, that stained glass windows rescued from a dissolved abbey in Herkenrode, Belgium, were unloaded from canal boats on their way to Lichfield Cathedral in 1803. The Gallows Wharf doors, Herkenrode Glass crate and the A-frame boards, beautifully painted by signwriter Steve Cooper, enhanced the impressive planting.
The judges also cast their expert eyes over Rose Willow, a recreation of a 70ft narrowboat, which has been taking shape over the summer next to Tamworth Road, thanks to the efforts of pupils from Queen’s Croft High School and the Foresters Scout Group. Queen’s Croft children were also involved in the painting of Rose Queen, which walkers along the canal can see on the wall of the London Road bridge, while National Citizen Service students learned the art of signwriting from Phil Ball to complete Rose Queen’s artwork.
The results of the Heart of England in Bloom competition will be announced in September and Lichfield will be hoping to repeat last year’s success when the city was awarded a gold medal.
LHCRT engineering director Peter Buck said: "Whatever the result of the judging, we're winners anyway. “We achieved our objective of recreating Gallows Wharf and creating a Garden of Reflection, and we've been overwhelmed by the generous response from the community. “We’d like to thank our incredible volunteers, everyone who helped with this project and provided the plants.”
See also News May 14th.
