‘Nazi swastika’ flower display is removed from Weston-super-Mare roundabout
Council workers have removed this civic flowerbed after it was grown “in the shape of a swastika”.
Red-faced gardeners hastily dug up the blue centaurea perennial display after complaints from that it looked like the infamous Nazi symbol.
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The offending flower bed cut like a ‘Nazi swastika’ in Weston-super-Mare’s town centre
The display was spotted on a roundabout next to the train station in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
North Somerset Council said the symbol was created by accident after certain flowers were removed, leaving just the outline of the swastika.
A spokesman explained: “This planting formed part of a random pattern in one of the flower beds we maintain.
“When summer bedding was removed in November, the centaurea perennials were left in place to give the bed a splash of winter colour and so the bed was not totally bare.
“After we had a call about the pattern we have taken all the plants out. They are due to be replaced soon with sustainable planting and a sculpture designed by students from Weston College.”
The swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles. It can represent eternity in East Asian culture and Buddhism, but it was adopted as a symbol of the Nazi Party of Germany.
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by frank1958
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:20PM
“LOL,LOL.”
by BCFCfinker
Sunday, February 12 2012, 3:14AM
“With the mention of swastikas, Godwin's law will kick in at some point.”
by geeveeh
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:10PM
“Isn't it about time we all got over this.”
by RobinHayter
Saturday, February 11 2012, 9:12PM
“Luckliy is German for luckily.”
by RobinHayter
Saturday, February 11 2012, 9:11PM
“Frank1958 - Luckliy, no one has mentioned the war (either of them).”
by mememe9
Saturday, February 11 2012, 9:09PM
“But missed the KKK flower bed round the corner tho'”
by frank1958
Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:24PM
“Pssssssssssst, Dont mention the war.”
by Kyngsmeadboy
Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:09PM
“What would a sensible gardener have done? Alan Titchmarsh's book "How to re-organise flower beds if you accidently form an unsavoury/rude shape" suggests removing two of the legs and replanting. In this instance, a figure 8 shape made of two squares touching. So, less work and all of the centaurea perennial surviving. Blooming great idea!”
by RobinHayter
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:35PM
“@Kingsmeadboy, I green arrowed you, do you have a vivid imagination or is it all true? Yes, let's forget the war, the subject shouldn't be brought up, "Don't mention that conflict" is my motto. Anyway, back to the t.v., good to see re-runs of Dad's Army and 'ello, 'ello tonight, with The Eagle has landed tomorrow. TTFN”
by Kyngsmeadboy
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:29PM
“@Kingswoodkid ~ I agree, forget the war, let's be positive, if it weren't for Adolf my parents (RAF and a nurse) would never have met. Those bomb sites in the centre gave my dad a place to park when we went shopping in the 50s (free!). This mathematical shape, with order 4 rotaional symmetry, occurs quite often in shape lessons in schools, are we to ban it, certainly not. I cannot understand how it was spotted, unless it was from an aeroplane. Must go, 6.30 pills are being dished out.”