A HOUSING association is hoping to bring a little ray of sunshine by encouraging residents to grow sunflowers this spring.
Muir Group Housing has provided free sunflower seeds to every one of its 4,800 properties across the country including nearly 500 homes in Chester to mark the launch of a major new grounds maintenance contract for the association.
The challenge now for residents is to try and beat the world record for the tallest sunflower ever grown which stood at an amazing 25ft (8m) tall in 1986.
David Hull, regional manager for Muir Group Housing which was featured in the prestigious Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For list, said: “The sky’s the limit for our residents and we are encouraging them to grow their sunflowers as big and as tall as they can.
“It would be an amazing feat if we could get a flower close to the world record.
“Engaging with our residents, especially younger ones, is one of our key priorities and something which we do regularly.
“By providing all of our residents with sunflower seeds, gives the whole Muir Group Housing ‘community’ the chance to get involved – and bring some vibrant colour to homes and gardens across the region.”
Landscaping and maintenance experts Sodexo is now responsible for maintaining all of Muir’s neighbourhoods and estates across Cheshire and Lancashire.
To celebrate the contract residents have until September to nurture their seeds into fully-grown sunflowers.
The resident with the tallest sunflower from Muir Group Housing’s homes in the North West will then receive a luxury garden makeover worth £500.
Mr Hull added: “The decision of who to award the ground maintenance contract to was a major decision for the association, which is why we involved our residents in the process from a very early stage.
“We asked residents what was important to them in the delivery of this service and since then many have been very heavily involved in selecting the best contractor for the job.
“Now the contract has been awarded it is a chance for us to give something back to residents for all their help and support.”