A group of volunteers have been left ‘beyond angry’ after the flowers they planted in a local park were mowed by the council days later.
The Friends of St George Park, in Bristol, planted more than 30,000 bulbs on Saturday, with nearly 70 ‘volunteers ranging from 9 months old to early 80s’ coming together.
The group had fundraised £6,000 to buy the bulbs by selling more than 12,000 bags of duck food, which they had packaged and sold in the local cafe.
But less than four days later, the bulbs had been ‘shredded’ as the grass at St George Park was mowed by council workers.
Bristol City Council had been involved in the organisation of the planting and had even coordinated the event with its own parks team, with a council officer providing assistance on how to properly plant the bulbs.
The council has since opened an internal investigation into how the mistake happened, with furious volunteers labelling it an ‘absolute disaster’ and ‘uforgiveable’.
Eager volunteers were overjoyed with their work on the weekend, saying ‘the before and after photos say it all – a once empty space has now been transformed and will look incredible once everything comes into bloom’.
As well as providing some colour to the green, they had also been planted to ‘support local wildlife, especially pollinators and our thriving bat population’.
More than 70 volunteers planted around 30,000 bulbs at St George Park on Saturday, raising the money for the daffodils themselves
But less than four days later, the bulbs had been ‘shredded’ as the grass at St George Park was mowed
The blunder has now left them ‘demoralised’, optimistically hoping that some of the bulbs would survive – but would only see them bloom next spring.
Harmony Seeko, an administrator on the organisation’s Facebook group, wrote: ‘After the amazing efforts from all our wonderful volunteers on Saturday the site where we planted almost 30,000 bulbs has been mowed, less than 4 days later.
‘We had hoped to see flowers blooming within weeks but the green shoots are now shredded.
‘We are waiting to hear from the council how this was allowed to happen and we are hoping they will make amends and avoid this sort of thing happening in the future.
‘We are hoping they will pay for the damaged plants, which were bought using the profits of over 12,000 bags of duck food, packaged by volunteers and sold at the park café.
‘While this is very demoralising we are hopeful that some of the bulbs will survive in the ground and will bloom next year, so there will be some glorious flowers around the library in spring 2027.’
Councillor Rob Bryher for St George West said: ‘As someone who planted some of those bulbs and witnessed such an amazing voluntary effort last Saturday, I am beyond angry at this.
‘I am so sorry it has happened and will be working to ensure Friends of St George Park is compensated by the council for this catastrophic and ignorant action.’
Harmony Seeko said ‘the before and after photos say it all – a once empty space has now been transformed and will look incredible once everything comes into bloom’
As well as providing some colour to the green, they had also been planted to ‘support local wildlife, especially pollinators and our thriving bat population’
Ollie Tucker-Jefferies wrote: ‘If that doesn’t sum up the council, nothing will.’
Steve Mills said: ‘The council have outsourced this service. This is probably down to poor communication.
‘Between BCC and the contractor. Absolute disaster. The blooms would have been lovely and lifted the mood of all that see them.’
Paula Smith added: ‘What the heck did the t***s who did the mowing think they were – what absolute idiots.
‘That’s so very disappointing and hope the team who mowed this, go some way towards recompense.
‘Whilst I know some will say they were mandated to do this by a manager – they surely would have had the commons sense to question this and just not do this.
‘Thank you all hugely for your efforts to make the park much prettier’
Ross Henderson said: ‘The Green council strikes again, they do this every year when the first flowers spring, these are food for bees and insects that’s just coming out of hibernation.
‘This party was originally about saving the planet.’
Ben Holland was less optimistic about their return: ‘As a gardener, you can expect a good portion of those to be blind next year too. The leaf is the solar panel that feeds the bulb which stores the energy for the following year. Very frustrating.’
Michelle Grace said: ‘This is typical BCC incompetence. It’s not the gardeners and Park Teams at fault, it’s their managers.
‘I say this as I have knowledge about the inner workings. This won’t be the first or last time. I’m really sorry they did this, it’s really demoralising.’
However Guybrush Threepwood was touched by the act in of itself: ‘Thank you for making the effort and I’m sorry it didn’t work.
‘But it’s made me feel happy knowing you guys are making a positive change and I’ll be giving some help in the future if I can!’
Karen Thistlewaite added: ‘I don’t know where this park is but I am disgusted to see a community come together, raise money, plant bulbs and keep an area looking good only for someone to come along and undo all the amazing hard work.
‘Surely they could see the flowers growing or were they blind. Please don’t let this deter you all from doing such an amazing job. If only more communities were like yours. ‘
Bristol City Council told the Bristol Post: ‘We recognise the upset and concern this incident has caused the local community.
‘Officers are investigating the events around the mowing of this area and will liaise directly with the ward councillors and local volunteers to address the situation.’
Daily Mail has contacted the council separately for comment.