Although we live close to our county town of Shrewsbury we go for months between visits to the banks of the River Severn, in whose loops the town sits snuggly. In the summer the council garnish the river banks with bright coloured plants in all sorts of containers and hanging baskets.
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I am not that keen on these brightly coloured bedding annuals but they seem to fit in with their setting so well here. Mother nature herself adds a little subtle planting herself with wild flowers growing close to the water and wonderful waterfalls of reflections.
Our footbridge an old Victorian suspension bridge has recently been completely refurbished and it is looking smart in its new green suit. The builders greatest challenge was to make sure that after the make-over the old bridge retained her sway. As you walk across her she sways from side to side!
This weekend is time for the famous Shrewsbury Flower Show so when we reached the open parkland spaces alongside the river we found signs of the village of tents and rows of arena seats appearing at a great rate of knots. It seemed to be growing up around us as we walked towards the little sunken garden called The Dingle.We now anticipate our day out at the show on Saturday most eagerly. We hope to go in the afternoon and stay until closing time with the magnificent firework display over the river.
And so to the Dingle herself, which is not my cup of tea at all, but it is enjoyed by thousands every year. It is all a bit garish for my taste, but I do admit that it takes a great deal of skill to create and maintain it. It certainly gives pride to the town. Come on a tour with us and see what you think.
We wandered back into the town centre to have a look at how the town council had decorated the Square as part of their “Britain in Bloom” campaign. All the allotment sites in and around the town had planted up mini-allotments small enough to fit on a pallet and these were collected up and put in the square. Local artists crafted two scarecrows from metal to give an extra dimension.
Each post marking loading bays along the High Street had been given a topknot of Ipomaea in two foliage colours. Very subtle and very effective.
greenbenchramblings 
8 replies on “A town riverside walk”
Love the tour! I don’t plant a lot of annuals but I do love to look at them especially those beautiful window boxes. No one does window boxes better than the English. (Hope that is a politically correct term to use.) Thank you so much for the great photos.
Shrewsbury calls itself “The Town of Flowers” – sounds about right. Malc
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It was a wonderful walk. I enjoyed the special planters, the wonderful bridge, and the very special gardens…thank you.
Pleasure to have you along. Canal walk on its way soon so a very different waterside wander. Malc
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You seem to have an endless supply of picturesque places to visit and I really enjoy getting to see your travels. It’s fun to see the Dingle so carefully planned and precise–would not enjoy the maintenance it must require.
I can think of nothing more back breaking than looking after that lot! Malc
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Lovely post–we have a river walk in the largest town north of us, but it has not reached the level of maturity that your town’s has. “Britain in Bloom:” what a nice theme.
Britain in Bloom has become a massive celebration of gardening and the people who do the gardening. Great idea! Malc
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