Thousands of bulbs are being planted in public spaces across the Bath area to mark 80 years of a unique international link.
Some BATA members with the bulb donation | Photo courtesy of the Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association
Bath is twinned with the city of Alkmaar in the Netherlands, a connection dating back to March 1945.
The municipality of Alkmaar, which sits in the heart of the famous bulb-growing region in North Holland, has donated 24,000 crocus and tulip bulbs to help highlight the connection, which is still going strong eight decades later.
Bath in Bloom, working with the Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association, is arranging for the bulbs to be distributed to community gardening groups and schools, as well as the RUH, Dorothy House and B&NES Council’s Parks Department.
Stephen Brook, Chairman of Bath in Bloom, said: “24,000 is a lot of bulbs! But we are delighted by the interest expressed by so many people to get involved and help celebrate the city’s own special link with the Netherlands.
“Next Spring we will all be able to enjoy seeing the tulips and crocuses in bloom across the city. It should be a stunning sight.”
The bulbs are a special “Alkmaar mix” created by one of the Netherland’s leading bulb growing suppliers. The red tulips and white crocuses, reflecting the red and white of the Dutch city’s flag and are being planted in locations including Victoria Park, Orange Grove, Walcot Street, Henrietta Park, Sydney Gardens, Alice Park and Widcombe High Street.
The donation of bulbs was arranged by the Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association, which encourages and supports exchanges and community links.
Chris Davies, BATA Chairman, said: “Thanks to the generosity of our friends in Holland and the enthusiasm of Bath in Bloom and their supporters we’ll have a lovely reminder next year of this special international city-link.”
Bath and Alkmaar first formed an official friendship at the end of the Second World War, when each first hosted visits from children of the other’s city.
Since 1945, thousands of people have travelled back and forth between the two cities, visiting not as tourists, but as guests and friends.
BATA is collecting memories of visits made by Bathonians to Alkmaar over the past 80 years. You can share yours by visiting the website at www.bath-alkmaar.org.uk, or email [email protected]
