Just a reminder about the photo competition for our 2017 calendar. The flowers in the village are looking lovely at present and with the good weather forecast for the week ahead it is an opportune time for getting your cameras out and going for a walk.
This morning, judges from Northumbria in Bloom walked around the conservation area with volunteers from Blooming Shotley Bridge.
They seemed impressed with the floral decorations, sustainable planting, heritage initiatives and wildlife areas. The clean streets, lack of litter and dog fouling was also admired. Thanks to all the volunteers, residents, businesses, the Junior School and County Council for their efforts in putting on a good show.
Competition results will not be known until September.
Yesterday a group of visitors from the Chester-le-Street & District Area Action Partnership were given a tour of the village centre. Its Improved Environment Task Group came to find out what the Shotley Bridge Village Trust had achieved for our village and how it had happened.
A very interesting and informative talk was given to members of the Trust and guests, after the AGM last Thursday. Harold Dobson from the Friends of Red Kites in the North East of England Group gave an excellent illustrated talk about this rare and most spectacular bird, which is often seen in the skies above the village.
Between 2004 & 2007 the Northern Kites Project re-introduced 94 red kites into the lower Derwent Valley where they continue to breed. The Friends Group was formed in 2009 to maintain interest and involvement in protecting and maintaining the red kite population in the valley.
Further information about the Group and how to become a member can be found on the Group’s website.
Sixteen Trust volunteers helped on Saturday morning to make a start on planting 44 tubs with summer bedding and 6 with sustainable perennials. Two new double tiered oak barrel planters have been purchased with a grant from local councillors, which have also been filled with colourful geraniums, surfinia [petunia] and lobelia.
The Council will be planting the Trust’s barrier baskets which volunteers will continue to maintain.
More plants have also been donated and purchased for the sustainable beds, which the Trust plants and maintains, on behalf of the Council.
Shotley Bridge Village Trust 