Whitchurch’s gnome-town heroes deliver planters to high street

Volunteers dressed as garden gnomes have been brightening up a town’s high street by delivering flower planters to shopfronts.

Operation Gnome, as it is called, is part of work to attract more business and tourism to their “gnome-town” of Whitchurch in Shropshire.

The project is led by the Heart of Whitchurch voluntary group.

It is the brainchild of town councillor Sue Sealy – also known as “Chief Gnome” – who hopes it will create “a nice, happy place for people to come and shop, work, and live.”

The project is part of the town’s preparations for the Heart of England in Bloom competition, and has been funded by local sponsors.

In 2025, Whitchurch took home a silver award in the gardening contest.

“We decided this year we’d like to get more people involved, get a whole community on board and do something a bit fun,” Sealy said.

Over the past few weeks, the intrepid gnomes have delivered 39 planters outside the town’s shops.

“The majority of the plants are perennials, which have been donated by members of the public,” Sealy added.