BARNARD Castle’s floral displays won praise from visitors and residents alike during the Covid-hit summer.
However, according to the town councillor who oversees the blooms, there is still plenty of work to be done to get Barney looking its best.
Cllr Richard Child is chairman of the town council’s services committee and recently carried out an annual inspection of flower beds and other open spaces.
He said among the main issues facing the town council are exactly who owns many of these areas and what role the town council – and others – should play in their maintenance. One such area of concern is the Roman Way picnic site (formerly the Sculpture Garden).
“The site has deteriorated and reflects badly on the town,” said Cllr Child.
“It has probably received no maintenance for two years. The beds need considerable weeding and pruning.
“Some re-planting is required and paving would benefit from a suitable weedkiller.
“The surrounding area is virtually a monoculture of nettles and would benefit from a maintenance programme.”
Another part of town of not looking its best are the beds at the corner of Queen Street and Pearson terrace.
“They are uninspiring and overgrown but could be improved by weeding, pruning and re-planting. They suffer from litter,” said Cllr Child.
It is a mixed picture on the Demesnes.
“Following last year’s magnificent effort by volunteers to eliminate ragwort from this area, it’s been much less of a problem and was cleared recently. The circular concrete planters at the end of Gray Lane are well maintained,” he said.
However, it’s not such a green and pleasant land on the upper Demesnes.
“The status of the Friends of the Upper Demesnes in unclear,” said Cllr Child.
“It is usually mown in September, but the quality of the hay is too poor to be offered for sale.
“The ragwort from the meadow and bordering the rugby field was removed recently by volunteers.”
Volunteers also came to the rescue of the bed at Amen Corner, which was completed cleared and re-planted by volunteers led by former town council Roger Peat.
The rose garden at the bottom of The Bank and Bridgegate is another area identified for improvement.
“The rose garden needed weeding and top dressing last year and is now worse,” said Cllr Child.
The town council has looked after 30 planters around the town, with bedding plants supplied by Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution.
Cllr Child said these displays have been very effective in brightening up the town, as has extra planting at the “Welcome” sign at the County Bridge.
“This has proved to be a popular location for visitors to take souvenir photographs,” he said.
On Scar Top, ragwort has been removed but the Rotary Club planter, which contains strawberries and sage, needs attention.
Outside the town council’s Woodleigh base, the flower bed is in reasonable condition, but suffers from litter and occasional vandalism. Meanwhile, the bed with fruit trees running along the wall is badly overgrown and contains bindweed.
In addition to determining the role of the town council in the maintenance of these and a number of other areas, Cllr Child said members would look at the potential involvement of sponsors, partners, such as the Durham Wildlife Trust, and volunteers in keeping all things bright and beautiful in Barney.
