A colourful spring in store for the RUH thanks to Friends of the RUH

All those coming to the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH) NHS Foundation Trust can look forward to a bright and colourful spring, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the RUH. The team planted thousands of Dutch tulip and crocus bulbs at the hospital this December.

The bulbs have been kindly donated by Bath in Bloom, in recognition of their strong relationship with Bath's twin city Alkmaar, in the Netherlands. Situated in the north-west of the country, the historic city of Alkmaar is famous for its magnificent tulip fields.

Bernard Rymer, Chair and Assistant Treasurer of Friends of the RUH said: "Our two cities have been twinned for 80 years so it's a real pleasure to be able to bring a little bit of the splendour of Alkmaar to the RUH. We've planted bulbs in grass verges and green spaces across the site which will provide a beautiful show of colour next year from March through to May.

"We know what a difference flowers can make   they lift the mood and give a sense of wellbeing as well as providing an important food source for bees and other pollinators. We're really appreciative of Bath in Bloom for their support."

Created by one of the Netherland's leading bulb growing suppliers, the flowers are a special "Alkmaar mix" of red tulips and white crocuses reflecting the colours of the Dutch city's flag.

Joss Foster, Chief Strategic Officer at the RUH said: "We're really grateful to the Friends of the RUH for their ongoing work to make our site a welcoming environment. The volunteer gardening team take such great care of our courtyards and green spaces, which provide a much loved sanctuary for the people we care for and the people we work with.

"As well as brightening up the RUH for all those coming on site, patients in the Dyson Cancer Centre who are being cared for in isolation rooms will have an incredible bird's-eye view of a spectacular flower display next year."

The Friends of the RUH is a charity that provides facilities, support services and equipment for patients that would not otherwise be provided by the NHS. As well as running a shop and café on the RUH's Combe Park site, it provides a range of volunteer services at the hospital, with more than 200 people providing support in over 26 departments.

The RUH is one of many organisations to benefit from the generous donation. Bath in Bloom, working with the Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association, is also arranging for bulbs to be distributed to community gardening groups and schools, as well as the Dorothy House and the Bath and North East Somerset Council Parks Department.

Find out more about Bath in Bloom on its website, and find more information about twin towns and Bath's enduring relationship with Alkmaar on the Twinning Association website.

ENDS

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