The Bulgarian community in Bromley is being thanked following the gifting of a rose bed in Queens Gardens to the residents of Bromley.
Bulgarians In Bromley have funded compost and shrubs for the planting of three varieties of rose in an existing flowerbed in Queens Gardens. With advice from idverde, Bromley Council’s parks contractors, the group has purchased Mme Hardy, Our Beth and Louise Odier species of roses, which were planted yesterday by 40 volunteers from the group, under the supervision of idverde’s community team.
Intended as a gift to the residents of Bromley from Bromley’s Bulgarian community, the rose holds a symbolic significance as the national flower of both Bulgaria and England. The planting of roses has special meaning for Bulgarians and the community group intends to care for and maintain the rose bed as its ongoing volunteer project. As such, the rose bed in Queens Gardens will become an outdoor focal point for social and family gatherings for Bromley’s Bulgarian community, especially when the roses require maintenance.
Boyko Boev, Founder of London Bulgarian Association, and a Bromley resident since 2012, says, “The roses are an expression of gratitude from all Bulgarian residents of Bromley for the welcome we have received here. They also celebrate the contributions of Bulgarian Londoners to the modern history of London.”
Jeff Royce, Chair of the Friends of Bromley Town Parks and Gardens says, “We really appreciate and support this opportunity for community engagement and would like to thank Bromley’s Bulgarian community for this important symbolic gesture. We look forward to seeing this generous gift in full bloom, with the whole community nurturing them in the coming years.”
Councillor Cuthbert, Executive Councillor for Environment says, “It is wonderful to see the community coming together within the borough and sharing this beautiful and symbolic gift with us. We would like to thank the Bulgarian Community in Bromley for this deeply meaningful contribution to our park, as well as our thanks to the Friends of Bromley Town Parks and Gardens for their work on this project.”
The roses have been planted in the autumn to allow for them to take root and increase their survivability. There will be a celebration of the project in Queens Gardens next year, when the first annual Spring prune is undertaken.
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For media enquiries, please contact Justin Brown, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8461 7872 or email justin.brown@bromley.gov.uk.