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Gnome-town heroes deliver planters to high street shops

Ellen Knightin Whitchurch
BBC A woman and man with their arms around each other and smiling. The woman, Cllr Sue Sealy, is on the left of the photo - she is wearing a bright yellow pointed hat, a false white beard, and a green top with grey braces. The man, Morris Clive, is wearing a bright blue tshirt and a red pointed hat. They are stood on the high street, with a church spire behind them and bright blue skies.BBC
Councillor Sue Sealy and Morris Clive dressed up as gnomes to deliver planters to shops around the town

Volunteers dressed as garden gnomes have been brightening up a town's high street by delivering flower planters to shopfronts.

Operation Gnome, as it is called, is part of work to attract more business and tourism to their "gnome-town" of Whitchurch in Shropshire.

The project is led by the Heart of Whitchurch voluntary group.

It is the brainchild of town councillor Sue Sealy - also known as "Chief Gnome" - who hopes it will create "a nice, happy place for people to come and shop, work, and live."

The project is part of the town's preparations for the Heart of England in Bloom competition, and has been funded by local sponsors.

In 2025, Whitchurch took home a silver award in the gardening contest.

"We decided this year we'd like to get more people involved, get a whole community on board and do something a bit fun," Sealy said.

Over the past few weeks, the intrepid gnomes have delivered 39 planters outside the town's shops.

"The majority of the plants are perennials, which have been donated by members of the public," Sealy added.

Ellen Knight/BBC Councillor Sue Sealy, wearing a yellow pointed hat, false white beard, a green top, grey braces and green trousers, is leaning over a light green planter. The planter has rosemary and lavender in it, and is outside a shop front painted in the same colour. Ellen Knight/BBC
The Chief Gnome in action installing planters outside a shop

Sealy said the aim was to foster an environment where more people will "pick their litter up and be more responsible".

The team is also providing shopkeepers with watering cans and tiny garden gnomes for the planters.

The planters themselves are also special - made by the volunteers and carpenter Pete Ford, from recycled wooden pallets.

The overall aim, Sealy explained, is to encourage more independent business, as well as more greenery and pollination in the centre of town.

"We get a lot of tourist footfall here and [Operation Gnome] will be making them think that this is the place to be," she said.

Ellen Knight/BBC A close-up photo of the 'Operation Gnome' sign - red text on a white background with a small cartoon gnome underneath. The sign is in focus - with two volunteers out of focus beyond it. The sky is bright blue and the high street has lots of sunshine. Ellen Knight/BBC
The gnomes have delivered 39 planters - and watering cans - to businesses in the Shropshire town

The town council has also given a helping hand, lending a small electric buggy to transport the planters around town - called the "gnome-mobile."

Facilities manager Morris Clive, who drives the vehicle, said "it just brings a bit of happiness to the town".

Locals have been "smiling and waving" at the gnomes on their errands, he added.

"It just gives the town a little bit of a lift, really."

Ellen Knight/BBC A small, white, two-seater vehicle with a flatbed truck at the back. On the bonnet is written 'Whitchurch Town Council' in blue letters, with 'Operation Gnome' signs taped to the side. Inside the cab of the vehicle are the two volunteers - wearing their gnome costumes.Ellen Knight/BBC
The gnome-mobile in action, delivering planters to shops around Whitchurch

The gnome-made planters have also been a success with the shopkeepers.

Kenny Bould runs a branch of Timpsons, and said it was a "brilliant idea", with the gnomes giving him "a good laugh."

His shop's planter has been painted red to match his shop, and has "really brightened the place up".

"We need something like this in Whitchurch, because people aren't coming any more so we need to get them back in," Bould added.

Ellen Knight/BBC Kenny Bould pictured kneeling down next to his planter - a long, wooden structure painted dark red with pink flowers planted in it. Bould is wearing a blue check shirt, dark shorts, and a dark red Timpson's-branded apron over the top. There is strong sunshine, and the shop itself can be seen behind the planter. Ellen Knight/BBC
Kenny Bould donated paint to the volunteers so his planter would match the shop perfectly

Just up the road is Refill Your Boots, an eco-friendly refill shop run by Marie MacNae.

Outside the shop are two planters painted light green to match the building, with lavender planted in them at MacNae's request.

"I think they're beautiful," she said. "It's so nice to have some greenery around the town.

"Obviously it's great for pollinators and helping the environment, so it fits in with what we do here at the shop as well."

Ellen Knight/BBC Marie MacNae pictured looking into the camera and smiling. She is wearing a beige t-shirt, with a light green apron over the top. She is stood inside her refill shop, with tubs of dried fruit and nuts behind her. Ellen Knight/BBC
Marie MacNae said the project reflects her eco-refill shop's ethos very well

Judging for the Heart of England in Bloom competition is fast approaching, with adjudicators set to visit the town on the 28 July.

Alongside "Operation Gnome", a number of other projects are taking place, including improving the town's various public gardens and war memorials.

Locals are being urged to pick up litter, and shop windows are encouraged to create window displays on the theme of "Florals and Pollinators".

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