Village set to bloom thanks to Jubilee event

Spondon is set to become greener and more floral thanks to an event last year that celebrated the platinum jubilee of her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Teachers, pupils, group leaders and volunteers have been busy planting shrubs and daffodil bulbs bought with surplus money raised at a Fifties Fun Day in The Old School, Chapel Street, in June last year. The event was held to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen.

Organisers kept costs of the event low and did not receive or seek any public grant for the event, but said that any money raised would be used in the village.

The event was so popular that it raised a surplus of more than £300 which has been ploughed back into the community.

Each of the five schools has received a rose or shrubs plus a bag of daffodil bulbs to make grounds look more colourful. Shrubs and bulbs have also been given to Friends of Spondon Station to brighten up platforms for travellers and to the Scout Group premises. Scented roses have been planted in the sensory garden, and daffodil bulbs handed out to residential care homes.

Other items will be distributed throughout the village and some small financial donations will be given to local groups that helped towards the event. 

Kevin Palmer of the organising committee said: “The fun day was a great event to celebrate the Queen's record-breaking reign.

“We can still mark that historic landmark and at the same time commemorate Her Majesty's sad passing by using this money to brighten up areas, knowing that the Queen was fond of plants and flowers. 

“Of course, this is all down to the generosity of local people who enjoyed our event. We hope that these gifts will give pleasure to people for many years.”