Family Fun Day

August 22, 2012

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.

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What a difference …

August 15, 2012

… 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.

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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.

Posted in Britain in Bloom, Conservation area, Environment, Local businesses, Photos, Volunteers | 2 Comments »

Judging complete

July 4, 2012

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.

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Flash floods

June 28, 2012

This afternoon, 40mm [one and a half inches] of rain fell on the village in about an hour. Then another deluge came sweeping down Elm Park Road and Snows Green Road, as the local streams and storm drains couldn’t take the water coming off the fields and housing estates above the village. Have a look at the video posted on YouTube.

Posted in Conservation area, Environment, Photos | 1 Comment »

Videos of Olympic Torch Relay

June 23, 2012

As the Olympic Torch Relay came through Shotley Bridge last Saturday afternoon, most spectators were unaware of what was happening down by the bridge, from where the first torchbearer set off. Look at the first video on YouTube to see the action.

This second video on YouTube shows crowd scenes on the main road before the torch arrived.

There is third video on YouTube, showing the larger vehicles struggling to get around the junction in the centre of the village and a fourth video from yet a different perspective.

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