A flurry of daffodil bulbs have been planted in Bute Park to celebrate Universal Children’s Day, an event which promotes the welfare and rights of children.
588 bulbs, one for every child looked after by Cardiff Council either through foster or residential care, will create an inspiring sea of yellow when they bloom in spring. Cards to mark the day are have also been sent to each looked after child in the city.
Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Ramesh Patel said: “The bulb planting initiative gives members of the community the chance to come together to brighten up their surroundings. In spring this particular bloom will be a fond reminder of all those children living in Cardiff under the Council’s care.”
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Siobhan Corria said: “It is hoped that the planting of these bulbs will not only raise awareness of children’s welfare but also recognise each individual Looked After Child in Cardiff, almost symbolic of their growth and development into adulthood.”
“Each child will also receive a card from me on the day as a personal momento of the day and to know Cardiff Council’s pledge that we will do all we can to help them to achieve their dreams.”
The daffodils have been planted as part of the Council’s Community Bulb Planting Initiative which will see in the region of 16,000 bulbs planted throughout the city’s parks and public open spaces using the Cardiff Daffodil.
Now in its fourth year, the scheme allows community groups the opportunity to plant the bulbs in their area of the city in a place where they can be enjoyed by them and members of he public.
Over the next few weeks the groups will hold planting sessions and if growing conditions are favourable, the bulbs should hopefully flower at the beginning of March, in time for St David’s Day.
The special ‘Cardiff’ daffodil was developed to celebrate the 2005 centenary of Cardiff as a city and golden anniversary as the capital of Wales. Since then many thousands of bulbs have been planted in the city.
The flower is described as a beautiful, tall, scented, yellow, large-cupped Narcissus and is grown and supplied by the Really Welsh Company.
