Following last year’s ‘lockdown trail’, the Buxton Flowerpot Trail returns to its usual spot of July and August for 2021, alongside the town’s summer festivals and school holidays. All are welcome and encouraged to get involved – households, businesses, schools and community groups – to make a flowerpot creation for the trail.

The trail simply aims to bring a smile and to get people spending a bit of time being creative and making something.

Flowerpot creations can be displayed in gardens, on gateposts, door steps or in windows, anywhere so long as they are visible from the pavement / public footpaths.

The theme this year, building on some of the wonderful creations last year – giraffes, elephants, cows, there was even a gruffalo(!) – and to link in with Buxton Wild Weeks and the 150th celebrations of the Pavilion Gardens, is ‘Go Wild! Wildlife and Wilderness’. However, you don’t need to align with the theme.

Simple flowerpot people are easy to make – they’re just knots in string – and there’s no real right or wrong way to do it. If you do need some pointers, making instructions and videos are available here.

If you need some pots, you can pick some up for free at our stall on the market on Saturday 1st May. Instructions and decorations will also be available. We are also holding outdoor workshops at The Green Man Gallery on the first two Saturday afternoons of Stage 3 of the Covid roadmap – currently 22nd and 29th May. Keep an eye on our social media for confirmed dates.

We ask that you don’t buy new pots – it’s all about finding creative uses for old resources. If anyone has a collection of old pots, we’ll happily take them off your hands, particularly the black ones as these can’t be recycled in the household bins.

Last year’s trail, despite being during lockdown, was actually the biggest yet! With your help, we’re hoping to increase the number of dots on the map again this year.

To register a location for the trail, please email hello@funnywonders.org.uk with the address by Friday 25 June.

Please also send us a photograph so we can share your creations with the wider world following the trail.

Trail maps will be available at The Pump Room, Poole’s Cavern Visitors Centre and The Green Man Gallery from 1st July to 31st August. An electronic version will also be available on our website for those who wish to download it to their phone or tablet.

The trail is supported this year by a Derbyshire County Council Action Grant, awarded last year but deferred to 2021 due to the reduced costs of last year’s adapted trail.

If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing hello@funnywonders.org.uk.