Edinburgh unveils floral clock for 2025 celebrating 200 years of braille
The floral clock, made with over 35,000 plants, took six weeks to complete and blooms until October
Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge has officially unveiled this year's floral clock in West Princes Street Gardens. The colourful timepiece is a vibrant tribute marking 200 years of braille and celebrating the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
The iconic clock, crafted with over 35,000 flowers and plants, took three gardeners six weeks to complete. Featuring species such as antennaria, crassula, echeveria, sedum, saxifrage, and annuals like pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums, the colourful display will bloom until October.
Joined by RNIB representatives and visually impaired community members, Mr Aldridge expressed hope that the design would inspire reflection on the vital role braille plays in the lives of those who use it.
The capital's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: "Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn't disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause.
"The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock's design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it.
"Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer."
The RNIB, the UK's leading charity for sight loss, supports blind and partially sighted individuals along with their families and carers.
This year, it marks the bicentenary of braille, the tactile six-dot code that revolutionised literacy and communication for people with sight loss.
James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, described it as a great honour for the organisation to be featured.
'It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society,' he said.
'Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity.'
"Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate braille and include accessibility in their lives."
The floral clock has a rich heritage, first created in 1903 by Edinburgh Parks superintendent John McHattie, making it the oldest of its kind in the world.
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Initially featuring just an hour hand, a minute hand was added in 1904, followed by a cuckoo clock in 1952. It was mechanically operated and wound daily until 1972.
Since 1946, the clock's designs have honoured numerous organisations and figures, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee.
In its centenary year, 2003, it won a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.
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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Edinburgh unveils floral clock for 2025 celebrating 200 years of braille
The floral clock, made with over 35,000 plants, took six weeks to complete and blooms until October Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge has officially unveiled this year's floral clock in West Princes Street Gardens. The colourful timepiece is a vibrant tribute marking 200 years of braille and celebrating the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). The iconic clock, crafted with over 35,000 flowers and plants, took three gardeners six weeks to complete. Featuring species such as antennaria, crassula, echeveria, sedum, saxifrage, and annuals like pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums, the colourful display will bloom until October. Joined by RNIB representatives and visually impaired community members, Mr Aldridge expressed hope that the design would inspire reflection on the vital role braille plays in the lives of those who use it. The capital's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: "Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn't disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause. "The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock's design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it. "Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer." The RNIB, the UK's leading charity for sight loss, supports blind and partially sighted individuals along with their families and carers. This year, it marks the bicentenary of braille, the tactile six-dot code that revolutionised literacy and communication for people with sight loss. James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, described it as a great honour for the organisation to be featured. 'It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society,' he said. 'Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity.' "Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate braille and include accessibility in their lives." The floral clock has a rich heritage, first created in 1903 by Edinburgh Parks superintendent John McHattie, making it the oldest of its kind in the world. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Initially featuring just an hour hand, a minute hand was added in 1904, followed by a cuckoo clock in 1952. It was mechanically operated and wound daily until 1972. Since 1946, the clock's designs have honoured numerous organisations and figures, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee. In its centenary year, 2003, it won a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Blackpool pupils line the streets for beloved teacher's funeral
Pupils, parents and staff have lined the streets outside a school to pay their respects to a "much-loved" teacher who died last Burns, a lead student mentor at Armfield Academy on Lytham Road in South Shore, Blackpool, was said to have had a "huge heart" and enjoyed a great rapport with and respect from pupils and Burns, an ex-paratrooper who wore a prosthetic leg, died on 21 May aged 38 after contracting an infection in his leg, the Local Democracy Reporting Service gathered on both Arnold Avenue and Lytham Road when his funeral cortege passed the school on its way to Carleton Crematorium. One mum, who has two children at the school, said the death of Mr Burns was a "massive loss".She added: "They all had the day off because it was Mr Burns' funeral. "They could have gone anywhere and just enjoyed themselves."Instead, so many of them turned up at the school - some with their parents - to pay respects. "And they all wore their full school uniform for him. That's a massive thing for children of that age to do."Mr Burns had time for everyone, he used to chat to my boys about football and rugby. No-one had a bad word to say about him." 'Giant of a man' After his death, a huge number of floral tributes were left outside the Academy's head teacher Mark Kilmurray described the "deep sadness" of everyone at the said: "Mr Burns made an indelible mark on our school community and really made a difference to the lives of so many of our young people and their families. "The students of Armfield Academy expressed a desire to pay their respects by lining either side of Arnold Avenue as the funeral cortege passed; each in their own way paying their respects, in silence and in support of the wider Burns family, remembering their former mentor with great affection."Mr Burns was a highly valued colleague and friend to many of us. His dedication, kindness and positive impact on our school community will never be forgotten."Mr Kilmurray added: "His unique personal journey [and] service to his country was hugely inspirational for the students and staff around him."Members of the Burns family added their own tributes on a fundraising than £1,400 has so far been raised for BLESMA, a charity which supports veterans who have lost said: "Pat was a giant of a man, a brilliant Paratrooper, loving father, son, brother and friend."We can't begin to explain how gutted we all feel. "After all his battles he has been snatched from us in this cruel way at such a young age. "Anyone who met Pat will know what a huge heart and personality he had and he is going to leave a massive hole in our lives." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Floral Clock is bloomin' lovely this year
The Floral Clock in Princes Street Gardens is all spruced up and looking lovely now that the council's parks department have created the 2025 display which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The Rt Hon Lord Provost was joined by representatives from RNIB and visually impaired members of the community to mark the completion of the new design, which takes three gardeners around six weeks to create. More than 35,000 flowers and plants are used to create the face of the clock, which will be in bloom until October. This includes plants like antennaria, crassula, echevaria, sedum and saxifrage and annuals such as pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums. Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: 'Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn't disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause. 'The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock's design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it. 'Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer. 'The RNIB is the UK's leading sight loss charity which offers practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. 'This year, the RNIB is marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille, a code based on six dots used to represent the alphabet and numbers.' James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland, said: 'It is a great honour that RNIB has been chosen for this year's floral clock. It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society. 'Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity. RNIB was brought into existence to improve tactile literacy and we still work every day to widen access for blind and partially sighted people. 'Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate Braille and include accessibility in their lives.' This is the oldest floral clock in the world and was first made in 1903. Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R James Adams, director rnib Scotland, Alan Stewart, community member Gillian Hallard RNIB Scotland Robin Spinks, RNIB Lord Provost Jane Coates community manager rnib Scotland Lorna, community member Jimmy Melhench, community member Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R James Adams, director rnib Scotland, Alan Stewart, community member Gillian Hallard RNIB Scotland Robin Spinks, RNIB Lord Provost Jane Coates community manager rnib Scotland Lorna, community member Jimmy Melhench, community member Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R Lord Provost Robert Aldridge Jane Coates community manager RNIB Scotland Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Like this: Like Related
