Sport and culture are taking centre stage at two popular parks in Stafford Borough.

The carpet beds in Victoria Park, Stafford and Stonefield Park, Stone have been designed to honour major milestones of two local organisations.

Stafford Rangers are celebrating their 150 anniversary this year, and the club’s logo has been designed in flowers in Victoria Park. The bed at Stonefield Park is decorated to mark 50 years of the biannual Girlguiding’s ‘A Handful of Songs’ show.

The parks have previously commemorated major events. Last year they marked 80 years since ‘Victory in Europe’ (VE) and ‘Victory over Japan’ (VJ) in 1945. Other occasions included the coronation of King Charles lll and the platinum jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth. The floral tributes have also honoured the NHS, armed forces and several charities and organisations that do great work to benefit the borough.

Around 800 plants in a variety of colours have been used to display the logos across both beds in the award-winning parks this summer.

Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council, Gillian Pardesi, said: “It is great to be able to show our appreciation to local organisations that have reached key milestones in their history.

“Tens of thousands of people will have the opportunity to see these vibrant floral designs and I know they are always well received by visitors and a wonderful addition to two parks that have been nationally recognised for their quality.”

Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional team playing in the Northern Premier League Division One West. Their formation is recognised as 1876 based on articles in local newspapers - as early club minute books were destroyed during the First World War.

The Girlguiding show has involved hundreds of Guides from Stone, Eccleshall and surrounding villages entertaining audiences with song, dance and comedy over the years.

Both borough council run parks hold ‘Green Flag’ awards - the national yardstick for the best open spaces in the country.

Press Release No 6299