Brierley Hill looked ‘blooming’ lovely as flowers were planted by local students and activities took place along the high street.

Horticultural students from Dudley College joined pupils from Brierley Hill Primary School and representatives from Brierley Hill Community Forum, Cluster Connect, Brierley Hill Market and Top Church Training to help brighten up the town centre.

Residents were also entertained with a wellie trail and crafts, and invited to share their thoughts on what’s ‘blooming’ great about Brierley Hill.

Brierley Hill in Bloom is sponsored by Dudley College and the plants will be maintained throughout the summer by volunteers from Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company, St Michael’s Bell Ringers, Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Dudley Council for Voluntary Service and Brierley Hill Market.

To assist volunteers with the watering of plants, water containers have been funded by the Brierley Hill High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) which is a Government funded project being delivered by Historic England and Dudley Council. Pentax Development is kindly providing the storage and water for the watering containers. Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise said:

"After a really difficult 12 months for residents and businesses, it’s fantastic to see Brierley Hill lively with activity again. People from all across the community have come together to organise this event, which shows there’s real pride in the local area.

Claire Millard, Assistant Principal at Dudley College, added:

"Being part of the Brierley Hill in Bloom project is a fantastic opportunity for students from our Aspire programmes to gain essential experience in developing employability skills in the horticulture sector.

"The learners really enjoy the sense of pride that seeing their work appreciated by the public gives them."