THE newly installed Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Brian Tierney spent today in a socially distanced meeting with Council grounds maintenance teams in both Derry and Strabane to view the work they are doing as part of their summer planting scheme.
Earlier this week Council received hundreds of colourful bedding plants that will be planted across the city and district for the summer season.
Mayor Tierney took the opportunity during his first week as Mayor to see at first hand the work being carried out by the Council staff to make Derry and Strabane blooming gorgeous.
Mayor Tierney said he hoped the flowers and bedding plants would not only create a colourful spectacle across the Council area but would go some way towards lifting the spirits of the public as we all prepare for a phased recovery from the Covid-19 lockdown.
Acknowledging the difficulties experienced by many people during the COVID-19 crisis, the Mayor said Council was very keen to play its part in keeping the city clean, safe and beautiful and helping to restore confidence in getting the city and district back up and running.
He said: “It is fantastic to see the amount of work and effort carried out by Council staff in keeping our city in bloom.
“The amazing plants and flowers that are being planted across the Council area are a tribute to all frontline workers for all their work in keeping us safe.
“We hope that the public will appreciate the work involved in keeping the city and district clean and full of colourful flowers and be able to enjoy them when the restrictions are lifted and the public are able to safely return to work and to the city and town centres, in the coming weeks and months.
“I would like to pay tribute to all frontline staff, including our own Council staff, for their continued hard work and dedication in providing essential services during the pandemic.
“I hope that the public will appreciate their efforts and that their spirits will be lifted when they see areas across the Council area in full bloom over the summer months.”
Mayor Tierney concluded by encouraging the public to continue to adhere to the Government guidelines regarding social distancing, washing hands and avoiding large gatherings.
He says it is important that we all continue to do all we can to prevent the spread of the disease and help keep people safe.
