Try-umphant Display from Parks Team

Bath & North East Somerset Council has unveiled a striking new 3D floral display of a rugby player to mark Bath Rugby’s 150th anniversary.

The display, which can be viewed in the city’s Parade Gardens, is made up of around 8,000 of plants and flowers and features a rugby player about to kick a ball, wearing the distinctive hooped Bath Rugby jersey.

The character was created by eight members of the horticultural team over a period of two months, following a commission from Bath Rugby as part of celebrations to mark the historic anniversary. One of the oldest rugby clubs in existence, Bath Rugby was founded in 1865, going on to become a club that is today steeped in history with a proud heritage of success.

Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North) Cabinet Member for Community Services said: “This fantastic figure clearly demonstrates the skill of the team which works so hard to look after our parks and green spaces – ensuring Bath and North East Somerset is a beautiful place for residents and visitors alike.”

Tarquin McDonald, Bath Rugby’s Managing Director, said: “As a club, we are honoured to have a display of one our players on show in such a beautiful part of the city. Bath wouldn’t be the magnificent city it is without all its greenery, and the horticultural team does a great job in maintaining it.”

The Council’s Nursery and Parks supervisor, Matt Soan, said: “We’re really pleased with the outcome, and the comments from the general public have been great. We used White Hypoestes for the white hoop; Alternanthera for the black; Echevaria for the blue. The skin was planted using pink Hypoestes. This is the first rugby player created by the team but we’ve created lots of 3D characters in the past – including Bob the Builder, steam trains, and The Herbs – which helped South West in Bloom win awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2014.”