Instead of ‘Best Front Garden’ Awards, the Trust decided to have “Best Hanging Basket’ Awards this year, with separate categories for businesses and residents.
The Northumbria in Bloom judges agreed to judge the baskets and the awards will be presented at the next Open Meeting of the Village Trust in October.
Today, judges walked around the conservation area to score our entry in the 2013 Northumbria in Bloom competition. 80% of the total marks will be awarded following their visit [20% were awarded at their spring visit].
Scores are given in three sections with five categories in each:
Horticultural Achievement – 40% [impact, horticultural practice, residential and community gardening, business areas and premises, green spaces];
Environmental Responsibility – 20% [conservation and biodiversity, resource management,local heritage, local environmental quality, pride of place];
Community Participation – 20% [development and continuity, communication and education, community participation, year round involvement, funding and support].
The points awarded and the level of award will not be known until the presentation event in September. Hopefully we will achieve a ‘Silver Gilt’ this year.
Two volunteers spent yesterday evening painting the heritage board and seats in the ‘Triangle’ in readiness for the Northumbria in Bloom judging next week.
The recent warm and sunny weather is helping the hanging baskets, tubs and barrier baskets to come into full bloom.
At the Trust’s Open Meeting last night a cheque for £1,030 was presented to Sue Fox, representing Willow Burn hospice, on behalf of the Shotley bridge Business & Community Partnership. The money was 75% of the charity collection during the Dickensian Christmas Spectacular plus contributions from the Eve Fashion Show and Imago Raffle. £340 was raised for the Blooming Shotley Bridge fund.
Presentations were also given by Dawn Reed [Durham County Council] on options for improving the village centre, and Sue Shaw [Blooming Shotley Bridge] about the Northumbria in Bloom entry.
[Click on an image to start a slide show]
Today the judges from Northumbria in Bloom came to assess the Trust’s entry in the ‘village’ category. 25% of the total score is awarded at this visit. They walked around most of the Conservation Area, the area entered in the competition.
The summer judging will take place on the 18th July.
Shotley Bridge Village Trust 