Edition 13: February 2009.

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next edition: June 2009 >>

Dear All,

Well it may seem hard to believe but Spring will soon be here and your “In Bloom” team are already working hard to ensure that the town looks good in the summer and that we achieve success in both the Regional and National Competitions.

We have held a very successful fund raising event when Simon Toomer, curator of Westonbirt Arboretum came to talk to us and we have also, with thanks to the Mayor and the Town Council, held a successful public awareness meeting attended by one of the Britain In Bloom National Judges and Jekka MacVicar who represented the Royal Horticultural Society.

We now have to look forward to what is going on in the near future.

Our most pressing need is to ensure we have enough funds to complete our displays-we rely on donations from businesses and the general public and we truly appreciate any contribution no matter how small. If everyone in the town donated £10 we would be home and dry! However many people like to donate and have a specific project dedicated to a relative, business or organisation.

£30 sponsors a hanging basket and includes a dedication plaque. £150 sponsors a large trough, £200 a flower tower or if you have any other amounts in mind we are happy to discuss these with you.

We need £150 to sponsor the bed on Rock Street planted by the Brownies and Guides, £300 for the Potato Plough Bed and Turnberries need a sponsor to the tune of £500 for their huge bed at the entrance to their new building. All substantial sponsors will receive a large sponsors certificate displayed prominently by their display.

We know everyone is feeling the pinch this year but sponsoring a floral display gives publicity for months of the summer [lasts much longer than a newspaper advertisement – which costs the same!] and gives a great deal more pleasure! We will also publicise your company or group on our website and at all social events. If you are reading this and do not have your own business- but know someone who does please pass this on.

However there are other ways in which you can help. Here is a short list of our needs and if you have any ideas or would like to find out more PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. If money is a bit short- perhaps you have some spare time!

• Castle School urgently need someone with a digger to clear 5 old conifers from their school allotment. This is going to be a great area to give students a chance to grow, cook and eat their own produce. This work must be done during half-term week starting 14th February.
• They then need someone with a rotavator to spend some time preparing the ground and working in compost from the composting site. This can be done after half-term week.
• Castle School then needs someone with some spare time and some basic knowledge of Veg growing, who could help with watering at week-ends and school holidays, picking runner beans in summer holidays etc. It would not be a paid position but some arrangement in Lettuce, beans and courgettes etc could be entered into!!!! Most importantly however is the chance to ensure that the project runs successfully and the students can fully enjoy the fruits of their labours as, with the best will in the world, the teachers cannot do everything!
• Litterbusters will be having a Spring Clean-up of the town and we would like to give them a hand and pull out a few weeds whilst we are about it- watch this space for dates.
• Plant Sales Our own annual plant sale will be on Saturday April 18th. Please start putting aside some plants that we can sell- with labels and descriptions- if you don’t know proper names common names will do – or at least information such as “grows 3’ tall and has blue flowers in June”- is better than nothing! We will also be having a plant stall at Thornbury Carnival supported by all other Horticultural groups in the town and splitting proceeds in proportion to help received!!!
• Auction of Promises or Goods We are in the planning stages of organising a Summer Garden Party with a fund raising auction. If you could donate to the auction either goods or time –please let me know. It could be say “ 2 hours worth of gardening”/” 2 hours of Ironing”. The date of the auction is to be confirmed but will be late spring to early summer – watch this space for more details.
• Old Farm Implement Following the success of the Potato picker bed on Rock Street we would like to use another piece of farm equipment to make a display – if you have one to donate or lend, please get in touch.
• Carpentry Services The “Castle Feature” is in need of repair/ re-building. We have a couple of people looking at it but no firm offers of help yet-if you have some wood-working skills and a workshop space and could help- please get in touch.
• Tree Planting This spring will see 6-7 substantial trees planted around the town with dedication plaques. However there may be other areas in the town that could be planted next autumn with smaller trees to create a wildlife haven. If you know of a piece of land [perhaps surrounding a sports field or a strip of a field not used] please get in touch. The land needs to be accessible to the public and within the boundaries of Thornbury.

Sorry this is such a long letter – but we have a lot to do! Being a National finalist is a huge honour for the Town and we do not want to leave any stone unturned! More details will follow as they become available.

If you belong to any organisation in the town please ensure you take a copy of this letter to your next meeting! Britain in Bloom is run for all the people in the town by as many people in the town who would like to help!

For more information or to offer help, support or ideas or to subscribe to this newsletter please contact Sue Aitken, Thornbury In Bloom. Tel: 01454 419350 or email

If you would like to talk over an idea please talk to any member of our “In Bloom Team” or call into Thornbury Garden Shop to see Sue Aitken or the Town Hall to see Sue Horsfall.

Team Members: Sue Aitken, Robert Gorham, Sue Horsfall, Syd Philp, Val Gregory, Tony Sansum, Joan Tuck, Jean Owen, Fran Sparrow, Sue Trowell, Rose Lock, Jenny Evans, Guy Rawlinson and Sandra Richardson.

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