Bee symbol is recreated with flowers

TEAM effort . . . Howard Wild, Tony Shirtcliffe, Marcus Davies, Stephen Parrot and Kyle Stokes, from Chadderton Garden Team, who created the Manchester Bee flower bed outside the town hall

A BUNCH of gardeners have created an amazing buzz in Chadderton.

The Oldham Council staff have been busy making heartfelt floral tributes to those who were caught up in the Manchester Arena bombing.

Marcus Davies, Tony Shirtcliffe, Howard Wild, Stephen Parrot and Kyle Stokes, from the Chadderton Garden Team, decided to recreate the Manchester Bee, which has become a symbol of unity and strength following the suicide bombing which killed 22 people on May 22, in beautiful blooms outside Chadderton Town Hall.

The gesture went global after pictures of the worker bee emblem, which has represented Manchester's industrial past for more than 150 years, went viral on social media reaching as far as America.

They then planted a blooming heart and the number "22" to represent the victims of the Arena atrocity opposite St Herbert's RC Primary School.

Tony said the response has bowled the team over.

He said: "We were given free rein over designing the beds and we came up with the idea between us as a tribute to those killed in the bombing.

"We thought it would be a nice thing to do and the response has been overwhelming.

"There were people pipping their horn at us as they drove past and cheering as we planted it because people understand why we've done it."

Foreman Marcus added: "We just wanted do something fitting and put a smile on people's faces here in Chadderton.

"We've been mega surprised by the reaction but it's great for the team to get a pat on the back.

Tony's proud daughter Amy said: "My dad and his colleagues weren't told to do this. They just did it. I'm so proud of his community spirit."

• Check out more pictures of Chadderton Town Hall on our picture sales page.