Residents of Wallingford are upset after hollyhock flowers, planted to beautify the town and support bees, were cut down by a waste management worker. The vibrant pink blooms were a beloved feature of the town.
County Councillor Dr. Pete Sudbury reported receiving numerous complaints from the public about the flower removal. In response, he and Wallingford Town Councillor Steve Holder are investigating the incident to prevent further occurrences.
“Wallingford is famous for its hollyhocks, especially along Wood and Thames Street. The community takes great pride in them,” said Mr. Holder.
He mentioned that the South Oxfordshire District Council had informed him that weeding was conducted in high-traffic pavement areas, including Thames Street and Wood Street. However, the council assured that a team member would follow up with the responsible parties.
According to Mr. Holder, a council spokesperson acknowledged that some residents prefer the hollyhocks to remain untouched. The council confirmed that workers are instructed to remove only obvious weeds, not other plants, as part of their street cleaning duties.