Pride rainbow in full bloom

Wednesday 09 September 2020

A colourful rainbow carpet bed is in full bloom in the North Plantation ahead of this weekend’s Channel Islands Pride.

The display, planted and maintained by States Works’ Land Management Team, was the idea of Ellie Jones and her team at Liberate Guernsey.

The idea was first conceived back in the winter to have the symbol, which is used in Pride celebrations across the world, displayed florally in time for Channel Islands Pride event on Saturday. 

“Each year we try to do something new and unique to catch peoples’ attention and start a conversation," said Ms Jones, Liberate’s Vice Chair. 

Pictured: The plants used were Begonia Devil Red, Marigold Bonanza Deep Orange, Marigold Bonanza Yellow, fine green turf, Ageratum F1 Bermuda Blue and Alyssum Wonderland Deep Purple.

"One of our team had some contacts in the States and manage to get the request to the right people, and low and behold it has appeared in time.

“The display that’s been created is beautiful and sends out such a strong message of Guernsey being inclusive.  We are very grateful to the States Works team for putting the display together. The rainbow seems to have become a symbol of 2020 and #GuernseyTogether so it has a dual purpose.”

The rainbow was created as a symbol of the gay rights movement at the end of the 60s and has been used ever since.

States Works has created many floral displays over the years, however, Assistant Manager for Land Management Richard Langmead said this was the first of this kind. 

Pictured: Charities can contact the Agriculture Countryside and Land Management Department about having their own carpet beds planted. 

“We are always keen to promote charities using our carpet bed displays situated in prominent positions around St Peter Port," he said. "Planning for the Liberate carpet bed was fairly straight forward with the colour purple proving the most challenging."

The bed is maintained by the Land Management team on a bi-weekly basis where the plants are clipped to keep them the correct height and shape. The bed is also watered weekly via States Works’ mobile water tanker.

Carpet beds are open to any interested charity or organisation by initially contacting Jan Dockeril at Agriculture Countryside and Land Management Department.

"As soon as we are put in touch with the selected charity we would have a sit down meeting to discuss their requirements before working out the design, the colours and plants to use,” said Mr Langmead.

Pictured top: Richard Langmead and Ellie Jones standing by the floral display.