IT HAS taken more than 11,000 flowers to produce and this beautiful display to celebrate Ipswich Town's FA Cup glory is really set to draw in the crowds.

Naomi Cassidy

IT HAS taken more than 11,000 flowers to produce and this beautiful display to celebrate Ipswich Town's FA Cup glory is really set to draw in the crowds.

The carpet bedding design, which is situated at the Henley Road entrance of Christchurch Park, forms part of the £4.5million Heritage Lottery Fund restoration work, with part of the idea to get people interested in the art.

This year it was decided that the carpet bedding should take the design of an ITFC logo to mark the 30th anniversary since their impressive win at Wembley.

John Wark, ITFC legend, is among those who have visited the park to see the display of 11,500 flowers, which were planted by head gardener Tom Wright in June. They are now in bloom and are looking their best.

Richard Wilson, chairman of the Friends of Christchurch Park, said: “Using flowers to make pictures or designs goes back to Victorian times when people did not have a garden and would come to parks to see things they wouldn't normally get to see.

“This is an art that should be preserved. It is something that could easily be lost. It is a credit to the park management that they have continued with this at a time of financial constraints. This is a vital part to Christchurch Park.”

The display will remain at the park for a couple more weeks.

The park has featured carpet bedding displays over the decades and it is hoped this will continue if there is the funding available.

There are also plans to set up an apprenticeship scheme in the subject with Otley College.

This summer Christchurch Park experienced more success when it was awarded a Green Flag by the Civic Trust, which recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country.

It was one of only two awarded with the accolade in the whole of the county, along with Elmhurst Park in Woodbridge.

- What is your favourite park in Ipswich and why? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Did you know? Christchurch Park was the first public park in Ipswich, opening in 1895.

Fastfacts - elements of the restoration project

- A new pavilion

- The building of the Reg Driver education and management centre

- New paths and gates

- Brett Fountain restored

- Cabman's Shelter restored

- Bird reserve

- New-look Round Pond