 |
 |
 |
| A little bit of civic pride in the small town of Overton, that I pass through each week. The pillars of Impatiens - "Bizzy Lizzies" were erected a few weeks ago, prior to the towns annual Sheep Fair week. The awful, rainy weather has benefited them in keeping them watered and stopped them from burning in the hot sun, which they detest.
All around the towns and villages in England the same sort of decorative planting is much in evidence. The "Britain in Bloom" and "Best Kept Villages" contests which are held nationally ensure that the ancient, healthy competition between civic neighbours is kept in a state of flow, with hanging pots, baskets, tubs and carpet bedding flourishing in any spot and corner which can be found. The double baskets hang from each lamp post in the Market Square in Newbury, while the colonnade hung with baskets of trailing Petunias is in the old market town of Marlborough in Wiltshire. In the hardest of landscaping and the dustiest of town streets, colour and freshness are infused by these riots of colour. One of the things that I love most about an English summer - apart from the glories of English gardens, is the effort that is made to beautify all available spaces with plants and flowers, creating someting special in the most hidden and private places for the visitor to accidentally come across with delight. Journal prompt. How do you "brighten up the dull corners" in the summer? Write about pots, tubs, baskets and anything else that you use to spread the summertinme around. What happens in your village, town, or city? Any memorable areas near you that suddenly burst out in flower through the summer months? What does it mean to you to have that civic effort made? Are you a part of it? Can you think of any ugly corners that could receive "the treatment" next year? (Why not suggest it - or do it yourself?) |