Resident Barbro Perkins has launched a crowdfunding campaign to replace the run-down rosebed opposite the Alexandra Park War Memorial.

She hopes to raise £1,000 to purchase 80 new rose bushes, urging 100 flower-loving locals to donate £10 each to the cause.

This comes four months after Swedish-born Barbro spent £400 of her own money to replant the bed adjacent to the steps that lead up to the Memorial.

"We used to walk up through the park from the seafront and we'd see these rosebeds in a really bad condition," she tells Nub News.

"I just thought to myself, 'well, instead of moaning, why don't I do something about it?'"

Barbro says she proceeded to contact the groundskeepers, who blamed the condition of the beds on insufficient resources.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: "We are not sure who this lady has spoken to, but the Council is happy to discuss ways in which it can help with this matter."

"I started looking for something with nice foliage and a nice scent, and I found an apricot/orange rose called 'Simply the Best'," said Barbro.

"If there hadn't been lockdown, I would have gone out for meals and trips and spent that money. So I thought, why not do something that gives people pleasure?

"I wanted to do something that was nice for everyone. Getting through to the Council was hopeless, so I just did it myself."

The great tragedy of improving one flower bed is that it makes those nearby look worse by comparison.

Before long, Barbro was enquiring about the Memorial beds.

"You can see all the big knots on the stems - they're just not looking very good, past their sell by date shall we say?

"The gardeners agree that they need replacing. Because of the size of the bed, we need to plant around 80 new bushes, which we think will cost around £1,000.

"So this time we want to get 100 people to donate £10 each."

Her son set up a JustGiving page yesterday (14 April). The total currently stands at £20 but some residents have already donated to Barbro in person.

Peter Knowles, owner of Hamptons on Ludlow Lane, is among them.

"I walk in Alexandra Park everyday with Max, our dog, and it's hard not to notice how old and in need of TLC the rose bushes are. They really need replacing," he says.

"We immediately told Barbro to count us in when we heard. It's just such a lovely thing to do.

"What's a tenner really? Three coffees? That's a small price to pay to make such a big difference to the park.

"To be honest, I'm doing it in memory of my mum and dad. When they're replanted and I see them in flower, it will remind me of them because they loved gardening."

But why has Barbro taken it upon herself to improve the park for everyone?

"People in the past set up these beds so we in the future can enjoy them. We have a responsibility to look after them, and I think this one is even more important because it's outside the memorial.

"If we can't do it in Penarth, then where can we?"

If you would like to donate, visit the JustGiving page HERE.