Awards shortlist for Peterborough’s bathtub festive decorations

Peterborough based Community Interest Company Up The Garden Bath has joined forces with 15 local businesses and organisations to create a special one off xmas display using one of their innovative upcycled bathtub planters.

The display has been shortlisted for “Best Community Display” in a nationwide competition run by renowned gardening expert David Domoney and illuminationstreet.com

The display has been created using only discarded or unwanted materials that were destined for landfill.

The Up The Garden Bath team that has created the Santa's Sleigh display from recycled materials.

Up The Garden Bath spokesperson Kez Hayes-Palmer explained: “It’s been a difficult year for everyone & we really wanted to end the year in style by creating something amazing that would put a smile on peoples faces & lift their spirits.”

She added: “Our project focuses on bringing organisations together in a collaborative way to reduce waste and encourages people to reuse, repurpose and recycle.

“Many local businesses share our aim and we wanted to include everyone who has helped us on our journey this year, their support is really appreciated.”

Co-founder Dave Poulton explained: “We only registered as an organisation in February of this year and despite the unexpected difficulties and hurdles for small businesses in 2020 we have had an amazingly successful year.

The eye-catching display has used a wide variety of waste materials.

“When I sat down and did my business plan last December I couldn’t have predicted a world wide pandemic that would close our target markets of schools, community centres and care homes. We have been helped and supported by so many local businesses and organisations who share our ethos and believe in what we are trying to achieve and we wanted to recognise everyone who has helped us.”

He added: “We chose Brightfield Business Hub as the location for our newest upcycling project as they have been incredibly supportive.”

The former home of RNIB in Orton Southgate has now been turned into a business centre for small businesses, offices with a gym, cafe, hair and beauty room.

Brightfield Business Hub manager Michelle Craig said; “We are proud to support ‘Up the Garden Bath’ and are excited and honoured to showcase their upcycled Christmas decoration display created using only discarded materials including bathtubs...great work.”

Other local organisations were also invited to get involved wherever possible and create quick and easy xmas trees made from pallets to accompany ‘Up The Garden Baths’ main display.

Allbright Property Management were quick to join in and produced an outstanding effort.

Students from City College Peterborough were also keen to continue their long standing relationship with Up The Garden Bath and got creative.

Sarah Lewis from ‘Hampton Handy Crafts’ explained why her group wanted to contribute to the project by making and donating a pallet xmas tree, she said: “We’re part of the local community and like to help in any way we can. Our supported people enjoy learning new skills by making items from donated pallets. It was an ideal opportunity to get them involved.”

The Up The Garden Bath team putting the display in place outside the BBH business centre in Orton Southgate.

Kez Hayes-Palmed said Up The Garden Bath is operating at hubs across the city. She added: “Our Community Hubs from Dogsthorpe -Andrew Shaw, Crowland -Matt Johnson - and Orton - Darren Richardson- worked together to utilise an old bathtub that was donated by D Brown Builders and used decking donated by LJ Landscapes and turn it into a Santa’s Sleigh with reindeer.

“They then used an old pallet crate supplied by 4Aluminium Ltd and wood donated by EF Engineering and Riverford Organic Ltd to complete the project.

“This was a truly collaborative project and we were delighted to also be able to include our friends Isaac from IE Woodworks and Tyler from The Hackspace.

“We were kindly donated recycled paint by paint upcycling specialists Ccorrn (Cambridgeshire Community Reuse & Recycling Network).”

City councillor Nicola Day has been a big supporter of Up The Garden Bath and has recently joined its board of trustees, she commented: “This is a great ‘green’ festive idea for Orton and I am delighted to support this project.”

The display was installed on December 12 at Bakewell Road in Orton Southgate and will be taken down on January 6. Up The Garden Bath are urging local organisations and businesses to add their own unique creations or pallet Christmas trees to the display in the run up to the festive season. If you are interested in joining in or working with Up The Garden Bath please contact them via email at [email protected]