Rose garden ripped up

FURIOUS residents in Portishead are demanding to know what has happened to the beautiful roses in the town's rose garden.

The popular garden at Rodmoor Road has been home to the rose garden for more than 20 years.

It has provided a colourful welcome to visitors to the Lake Grounds for decades but today there is not one rose to be seen and the soil beds lie completely empty.

Angry resident, Annette Hennessy, said: "I understand the rose garden has been completely destroyed and every rose bush removed at the suggestion of the judges of the Britain in Bloom competition, as they feel roses are no longer fashionable.

"This area of Portishead is historically known as the rose garden and it no longer has any roses.

"If we are pulling up plants unnecessarily to replace them at great cost just to win a gold award, then it is my personal opinion that it is an award not worth having."

Mrs Hennessy added: "I am not criticising the good work of members of Portishead in Bloom who do much throughout the year to make our town attractive, but I do object to their involvement in the destruction of perfectly satisfactory areas just to win an award."

North Somerset councillor for coast ward, where the rose garden is situated, David Pasley said: "I am astonished and saddened to see the rose garden has been pulled up. I am very disappointed not to have been consulted as I know many local people consider the rose garden a place of tranquillity and beauty where they can sit quietly and enjoy."

Gordon Randall, chairman of Portishead in Bloom said: "Changes are planned for the Rodmoor Gardens.

"The alterations are being made by North Somerset District Council in conjunction with Portishead in Bloom.

"Sadly the roses which have given pleasure over many years were well past their best and will be replaced by shrubs and plants providing colour the whole year round.

"I know a lot of people will be saddened at the loss of the roses but I hope they will appreciate the plants which are replacing them.