The road closed...
Bands will be playing...
Hot air balloons will be launched...
'Miss Darlington' will be here, and the Mayor to cut the ribbon.......'
Ok, maybe not quite that organised. But the South Terrace diggers and the planters will be reporting for duty between 0915 and 1300 hours in the back lane west at the rear of South Terrace.
The event, of course, is 'The Big Plant', intended to re-define horticulture at the gateway to our Feethams Village, creating the latest and smallest park in Britain - the 'Councillor Gerald Lee Pocket Park', named after the town's Mayor - one man who has done the most for a litter-free Darlington.
On 6 June - as you know - about 20 residents and Guerilla Gardeners gathered to attack a scrap of land beneath the billboard hoarding at 82 Victoria Road - near the Barker and Stonehouse roundabout. We set about 25 square yards with our spades, forks and even a pick. Eight sack-fulls of rubbish later, the ground was cleaned and cleared, ready for planting. We were there; and we will be returning for 'The Big Plant'.
21 June is a long and magical day. 21 is the smallest number of differently sized squares needed to square the square. So it is a highly appropriate day to undertake squaring our oblong smallest park.
Our aim for the day is to set out our brand new pocket park, pegging the area for sitting and for footpaths, and to plant up the remainder. We are expecting lots of plants - colourful, herbaceous, evergreen, annual, shrubs, flowers, ground-cover, creeping, climbing, ancient and modern. Where possible they should be able to withstand a north facing exposed plot beside a busy road. But gardening is a pursuit of chance - everything will be given a place - and those that survive will prosper.
Litchfield is watching as their UK title to 'The Smallest Park' evaporates. Naturally, we shall have the security of South Terrace's domestic pets on hand to calm any Staffordshire intruders and spoilers. Additionally, we will deploy South Terrace's secret weapon - the 'Stephanie Tea Stall' - which will be serving tea and biscuits to the workers and residents.
As you are gathering, the event is generating huge interest, both locally and regionally. Radio Tees are to attend from 0915 hours, and the Northern Echo is desperate to get their fill of photos. For those who have grandchildren, remember - this is the day that you will be recalling to them over the next few decades as the day you took control, and created Britain's Smallest Park.
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