Legacy of Forever Flowers to bloom across Cardiff

City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, is working with Cardiff Council to plant and maintain flower beds in popular parks across the capital.

The Celebration of Life flower beds project extends the legacy of Forever Flowers, the charity’s award-winning ‘in memory’ campaign which invites supporters to purchase limited edition flowers to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

The flower beds, which will bloom throughout spring and summer, aim to support communities across Cardiff with their grief and wellbeing as dedicated natural spaces for remembrance.

The project is being supported by local businesses and nearby secondary schools.

The first Celebration of Life flower bed was planted this month in Roath Park, situated near the west entrance.

The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Cardiff Councillor Graham Hinchey, Lady Mayoress Mrs Anne Hinchey and the council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Parks, Councillor Jennifer Burke joined Pugh’s Garden Village and students from Cardiff High School for the official opening of the flower bed.

Pugh’s Garden Village, who have been offering extensive horticultural expertise and helping gardeners for over 65 years, have kindly provided signage for the charity’s flower bed by Roath Park Lake.

This is the latest show of support for City Hospice by the family-run garden centres as they have previously supported Forever Flowers and the Sparkle Walk, as well as hosting their own events.

Nicola Pugh, Marketing and Operations Director at Pugh’s Garden Village, said: “At Pugh’s, we are huge advocates that gardening and being in nature is a powerful antidote to grief, pain and loss. We have been proud supporters of City Hospice for many years and the work they continue to do has a massive impact, not just personally to our family but on the many people that visit Pugh’s across all generations.

“We are proud to support this wonderful initiative in such a special place for so many people to enable them to reflect and remember loved ones.”

The Lord Mayor of Cardiff Councillor Graham Hinchey said: “I first met the team from City Hospice during the wonderful Forever Flowers campaign at Cardiff Castle last year and it’s an honour to be invited to the launch of their official Celebration of Life flower bed. City Hospice holds a special place in my heart and this project is such a wonderful opportunity to bring people together to remember their loved ones.”

Councillor Jennifer Burke said: “Spending time outdoors in parks and green spaces is proven to improve wellbeing. When the first flowers burst into life in the spring, the new Celebration of Life flower beds will provide park visitors who have lost a loved one with a moment of reflection, as well as being beautiful additions to our award-winning parks.”

A second flower bed in Victoria Park, Canton is being supported by Wales 247 and Fitzalan High School students.

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We are excited to be working with Cardiff Council, local businesses and schools on our flower beds project. Inspired by our Forever Flowers campaign, communities will now be able to visit our flower beds in parks across the city all year round and remember loved ones.”

City Hospice is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital. The charity provides care and compassion to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, as well as counselling and support services for their families.