Archive for the ‘Volunteers’ Category

Blooming report

October 25, 2015

Over thirty members of the Trust attended the recent Open Meeting, at which a report was given about the Trust’s entry in Northumbria in Bloom this year.

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Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our bid for ‘Gold’, being just 4 marks [out of 200] short of attaining the top award in the competition, but we managed to achieve our highest score ever and another ‘Silver Gilt’, for the third consecutive year.

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Disappointed that the extra improvements and  volunteer effort this year had only resulted in achieving another ‘Silver Gilt’, it was announced that the ‘Blooming’ committee had decided not to enter the competition in 2016.  It was emphasised, though, that the high standard of planting in the tubs, baskets, troughs and sustainable beds throughout the conservation area would be continued by volunteers next year, but without the extra work behind the scenes needed to impress judges. Hopefully the local businesses will continue with their own floral displays too, to keep Sholey Bridge ‘Blooming’.

The slideshow presentation given at the meeting was taken from the photographs in the Portfolio, which had been presented to the judges when they visited in July …

Winter bedding for Spring flowers

October 18, 2015

Daffodils, tulips and violas were planted in the tubs on Saturday morning, in readiness for a good show of colour throughout the conservation area next Spring.

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Thank you to all the volunteers who have helped to organise the event or planted the tubs.

Wet FUN Day

September 1, 2015

Bank Holiday Monday afternoon at The Spa Grounds was a little soggy! It didn’t dampen the Consett Rugby Club’s ‘Strong Man’ competition nor the children’s enthusiasm for the inflatables.

Numbers visiting the event were well down on previous years and consequently the Village Trust only raised £50 for its ‘Blooming Shotley Bridge’ Fund with its Tombola and Children’s Lucky Dip, compared to £180 & £160 on its stall in 2013 & 2014. Thank you to the volunteers at the event and the support from local businesses, members and residents who donated prizes.

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Judging complete

July 20, 2015

This morning, judges from Northumbria in Bloom walked around the conservation area with volunteers from Blooming Shotley Bridge.

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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.

Tubs planted

June 7, 2015

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.