God save the green! Flower display by Palace pays birthday tribute to NHS
THIS stunning display of flowers has been created in front of Buckingham Palace to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS.
The design has been laid in the Memorial Gardens in St James’s Park for the milestone on Sunday. The letters are made up of 1,500 Begonia semperflorens Heaven White plants in each bed.
Park officials believe this to be the first change of design to the Memorial Gardens in decades, possibly since the First World War when the flowerbeds were planted with potatoes. People are being encouraged to celebrate the NHS’s 72nd birthday and thank key workers for their support during the coronavirus pandemic with a nationwide clap on Sunday at 5pm.
PUB doors will swing open across England tomorrow as the nation attempts to leave the lockdown behind without triggering a second deadly wave of Covid-19. It will be an emotional moment for many when they see their first post-pandemic pint pulled. One of life’s pleasures has returned, a liberty restored, and we will feel relief and gratitude.This is not the time for wild celebration.The war against coronavirus has entered a new stage but it is far from won.
An epic experiment is underway to see if we can reopen pubs, restaurants and hairdressers without more infections.
If drinkers abandon social distancing, there is the real risk more people will die and pubs will again have to be shuttered.
It is also critical that this weekend is not marred by drink-fuelled carnage across England. Boris Johnson warned against reckless behaviour. It would be a scandal if binge-drinking louts cause mayhem that results in more work for our hard-pressed police, ambulance and A&E workers.
Being back in the pub is an opportunity to salute the heroism of Britain’s frontline workers. Let’s avoid making their lives even more difficult.