Today, ‘Blooming Shotley Bridge’ were presented with a ‘Silver’ award in the village category of the 2012 Northumbria in Bloom competition.
Thank you to the organising committee of the Village Trust, all the volunteers, local businesses, councillors and residents who helped make this award possible.
For a second year, the Benfieldside, Blackhill, Bridgehill and Shotley Bridge Community Partnership are hosting a free Fun Day for local families at the Cricket Ground, Shotley Spa, this Bank Holiday Monday, from 1-6pm. This year there is a community games theme, inspired by London2012.
As there is limited car parking on site, please walk to the event or catch the free YMCA bus if you can. It leaves from the Cricketers PH at 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00 & 14.30 and stops at all the bus stops down Durham Road to Shotley Cricket Club returning at 16.00, 16.30, 17.00 & 17.30.
The Village Trust will have an exhibition about Blooming Shotley Bridge and a Tombola stall to raise funds for future planting.
Click on the poster to enlarge it.
… six weeks make to Blooming Shotley Bridge. When I made the last post after the Northumbria in Bloom judges had visited, the tubs and barrier baskets were not very colourful. Now with a lot of rain and more sunshine they are in full red white & blue colour. This blog has been on its summer break during the intervening time, whilst London2012 has taken centre stage.
The colourful bunting in the village centre has also made a big difference to its appearance and will remain until after the Paralympics. Thank you to the businesses who put up hanging baskets and to John Beales who made an excellent job of putting up the Union Jack flags above their windows. Thank you also to the Village Trust volunteers who continue to water and look after the bedding plants.
Today, Eddie & Albert came to judge the Trust’s entry in Northumbria in Bloom, which is part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom Campaign.
During the hour long presentation the Blooming Shotley Bridge Steering Group showed the judges around the village. A 15 page portfolio had also been prepared which covered all the judging criteria. Only 50% of the marks are now given for Horticultural Achievement, with 25% awarded for both Environmental Responsibility and Community Participation. The results of the competition will not be announced until September 11th.
The judges were asked to choose the best 3 Front Gardens from the Steering Group’s shortlist of 10, in the Trust’s Front Garden Awards. The results and prizes for these will be presented at the next open meeting.
The summer bedding in the tubs and troughs within the Conservation Area were planted by Trust volunteers at the weekend. Red Geraniums and Begonias with Blue and White Lobelia is the colour scheme this year, for the Jubilee and Olympics.
The daffodil bulbs are to be replanted at Shotley Bridge Junior School and the dead plants composted.
Thank you to all 27 volunteers who helped with the task.
Shotley Bridge Village Trust 