If you like wildflowers and ecology, and love life – you are in.
“We are the Northern Flowerhouse now”, was initially a joke, in response to the idea of an economic Northern Powerhouse, but it quickly became clear that this was a fantastic project title, and there was the possibility to grow a network of concerned and practical “craftivists”, keen on creating new life-affirming and real statements for nature, where in so many places it is under threat. It was a title to make people smile, and a way to link, some of the great people, projects and ideas we have come across.
Northern Flowerhouse is a northern project for the National Wildflower Centre, uniting the energies and visions for wildflower sowings and plantings for building ecological landscapes across the North. 12 organisations from the Northwest and 80 individuals have already signed up to support the Northern Flowerhouse Charter. Founder member was Friends Everton Park, where the name officially came from, as heart of the Northern Flowerhouse.
In 2014, Groups and Liverpool and Manchester like Friends of Everton, and Hulme Community Garden Centre cooperated together to develop The Tale of Two Cities Project, to win Kew Gardens England Wildflower flagship by public vote, beating 5 other Cities to do so. This delivered 10 hectares of surprising and extraordinary flowery urban vista’s in both Everton and Hulme, it was a lot of fun, and joined arts and creativity, to bring nature into peoples’ lives. It brought song and laughter, and a carnival spirit to show conservation can be joyful and celebratory.
There was celebration event in Everton Park in May 2017 when Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram officially launched the Northern Flowerhouse amongst the big and flowering displays of buttercups, daisies and red campion, which was followed this year with music and poetry and donkey rides and picnics along with groups who had travelled to the World Museum and Everton Park to sign the Northern Flowerhouse Register.
It is about making a place for nature, improving our mental health and physical health, and experiencing joy, by having accessible natural environments within walking distance of everyone’s home.
We are asking you to join them and also tell us and send pictures about your own wildflower projects.
From The Tale of Two Cities to the Northern Flowerhouse
People in the video:
Dave Barlow – Machester City Council
John Hutchison- Friends of Everton Park
Manchester Volunteers – Hulme Community Garden
Memorable Moments