CREATIVE minds who give a hoot about Sidmouth’s floral features hope this year’s centre-piece display with a poetic twist will prove a hit with residents, visitors and contest judges.

The Owl and the Pussy Cat is the theme of an attraction is being planted up in Blackmore Gardens.

Sidmouth in Bloom is behind the effort and its chairman, Lynette Talbot, told the Herald this week: “The owl is being done first in a variety of over 1,000 plants comprising alternanthera, echeveria and sedums.

“The cat will then be brought in and planted up. The boat will then be completed with mast and a bed of flowers representing honey. It will be sailing from the shore into the sea.

“Other features of the first part of the poem will also be on display.”

Sidmouth in Bloom will stage two readings of the poem next Saturday, June 21, from 11am to 1pm.

Other activities - including a naming of the owl and cat and art fun - will be taking place.

“We would like children to come with their ‘owl’ or ‘cat’, or dressed up for the occasion,” said Lynette.

Soft drinks and cakes will be provided and parents can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the occasion.

Sidmouth Library will also be running themed activities throughout June to the festival time in August.

Popular floral feature Nessie will return to complement the maritime theme and will be ‘swimming in a sea of plants this year’, according to Lynette. The East Ham car park is now ablaze with alyssum, Californian poppies and toadflax.

Lynette asked that residents help their growth by not letting children climb on the raised brick walls.

Urns at the Ham will be decorated with painted fish created by children during the recent Sea Fest. This project will be completed shortly.

Sidmouth is competing in both the regional South West in Bloom and national Britain in Bloom competitions this summer.