Tenth triumph for Team Birmingham at Chelsea Flower Show

A display, celebrating Birmingham’s status a Proud Host City for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has earned the city council its tenth consecutive Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Flowers grown at the council’s own nurseries and features linked to the Birmingham 2022 sporting competition and venues made up the eye-catching display, which has an interpretation of the official Games logo as its centrepiece.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Congratulations to everyone from our parks and nurseries team – they have done a fantastic job of promoting the city and our status as Proud Host City for the Commonwealth Games with their bold and brilliant entry.

“The Chelsea Flower Show is a prestigious platform to promote the biggest event Birmingham will have ever held, and in winning this gold medal, we are getting a taste of the spirit of friendly competition that will be coming to our city.

“This amazing floral display perfectly combines some of our most iconic landmarks and the various sports that will be contested at venues across Birmingham and the West Midlands during what will be an unforgettable summer.”

During press day for the show (23 May), the council hosted visits by Team England athletes, who expressed their appreciation for the artistic skills behind the display.

Diver Tonia Couch said: “It is so beautiful. I just love the amount of colour, it’s just so eye-catching and meaningful because there are lots of different sports involved in the Commonwealth Games.

“My favourite part of the display has got to be the diving! The diving board with the water coming out is absolutely beautiful.”

Race walker Tom Bosworth added: “It’s absolutely incredible. To learn all about it and see all the little pointers to the different sports is just absolutely amazing and to know there is 3000 flowers in it is just remarkable. The whole thing is great, I’ve always wanted to come to the Chelsea Flower Show.”

A total of 6,500 athletes and officials from 72 nations and territories are set to come to Birmingham for the Games, which run from 28 July to 8 August.

Participants will be competing in 280 events covering 19 sports and 8 para sports over 11 days, with an estimated global television audience of 1.5 billion viewers set to watch the action unfold at venues across Birmingham and beyond.

John Crabtree, Chair of Birmingham 2022, said:

"The talented Birmingham City Council team has created a wonderful floral display to depict the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and I’d like to congratulate them on their success. We can’t wait to see this gold medal winning display recreated in Birmingham city centre during the Games and I’m sure it will be extremely popular with residents and visitors alike.”

After its appearance at Chelsea, the display will be reproduced in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral between July and September, adding yet another dash of colour to the city during what will a memorable summer of celebrations.