Glendale donates thousands of seeds to WWI commemoration

Green services company, Glendale, has donated thousands of poppy seeds to Birmingham City Council as it prepares to honour the fallen heroes of World War One.

The seeds will be used for a variety of projects to commemorate its centenary and will cover approximately 16,000 square metres.

They are being scattered to create wildflower beds, and will also be used in projects across the city, including a special recreation of the famous ‘Christmas truce’ football matches.

In this, poppy seeds are being sown under the turf at the old football pitches at Witton Lakes, so that they will grow through and represent the players in those games.

Elsewhere in Twickenham Road Playing Field, cereal and food crops are being planted by Glendale to commemorate the efforts of the land army, while in Castle Vale, the letters and numbers that symbolise WWI will be spelt out in flowers.

Tod Hale, contract manager at Glendale, said: “When we were asked if we would be able to supply these seeds we were only too happy to help.  The plans for them will create a beautiful and fitting tribute to all those who fought in WWI.

“Extensive planning has gone into the project and our specialists have liaised with Birmingham City Council to enable us to deliver against their requirements for this special commemoration.”

Birmingham City Council’s head of parks, Darren Share, added: “Following the success of our WWI themed garden at Chelsea and Gardener’s World Live in partnership with the Royal British Legion, I am delighted that we are continuing to celebrate the centenary of WWI with further initiatives across the city and we are extremely grateful to Glendale for their generous donation.

“These planting schemes will help commemorate both WWI and next year’s hundredth anniversary of the formation of the land army on a large scale that many people will be able to enjoy.”