Edition 17: October 2009.

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Welcome everyone to the first newsletter of the 2009/2010 season. After the excitement of the last month we are realising that we have to get down to work for next year. As you may have heard we are automatically given a “holiday” from the National competition as we won the overall prize but we still enter the Regional South West In Bloom and need to put on a good show for that!

So, forthcoming events:

Bulb planting for spring flowers: We have been kindly given by South Gloucestershire Council 10,000 native Snowdrop Bulbs and 10,000 native English Bluebell bulbs to be planted in Streamside Walk. Last year we were given a large donation by the family of the late Mrs Loretta Thorne and we have added some of our own funds to this and have more Bluebells, Snowdrops, Crocus and Miniature Narcissus to plant around the town. Our first “mass” planting will be in the morning of Sunday 8th November [with a silence at 11am for Remembrance Sunday]. If you would like to help please meet at the Scout Hut in Park Road at 10am. The area will be safe for children and we would love to see some younger volunteers join us for the fun.

If you would like to help with planting but cannot manage this time please get in touch and we will arrange another session or you can arrange one of your own.

If you are in a school or youth group and would like some bulbs to plant in a week-day session please get in touch.

Our AGM is on Monday 9th November at 7.30pm in the Committee room of the Armstrong Hall. We would welcome anyone interested to come along to hear what is going on.

We do have space for one new committee /team member and if you think you would like to join our team, please do come along. Why not talk to me or one of our other members beforehand to see what is involved. You don’t even need gardening skills because we are in need of a minute’s secretary so if you are interested in what we do perhaps you could help with that. Of course if you are fit, able, practical and keen to get your hands a bit dirty occasionally we would LOVE to have you on board.

Christmas Lights Switch On

This year sees a fantastic joining of two of the town’s voluntary organisations. Thornbury In Bloom is going to be beneficiary of the Christmas Lights Switch-on fund raising which will enable us to continue some major works of permanent planting and replacing worn out wooden planters with long- lasting superior metal troughs.

Singer/songwriter/musician Nerina Pallot is going to join us to switch on the lights and hopefully she will be available to sign copies of her new Album “The Graduate” after the Switch on. Please come and support us on the night and we also could do with some volunteers to collect from the crowds with the plastic buckets supplied by the Christmas Lights. Please contact me if you can help and I will try and draw up a Rota so no-one has to pace the streets for too long a time!

And Finally, Trees: With the problems of the trees outside Wildings the need for greenery in our towns is uppermost in everyone’s minds at present. Let me assure you that Thornbury In Bloom, in conjunction with The Tree Stategy Group, is working to ensure as many new trees are planted as possible. We already have funding for three new mature trees in Moreton Way and we are actively looking for sites to plant more. If you have a suggestion for a site for a new tree please let me know. [South Gloucestershire is already trying to find more sites for trees in the High Street.] Bear in mind you cannot plant over services such as water and electricity, you cannot plant on solid rock, and you cannot plant under power lines and you cannot block the line of sight at a road junction.

If you are interested in sponsoring a tree, either as an individual or a group, the cost, including a dedication plaque will be in the region of £350. [Price may vary slightly according to variety of tree]. Due to the work needed to secure agreement before a tree is planted we cannot promise the planting would be this autumn but tree planting is a long-term , on- going project and the commitment to sponsor a tree gives us something to work on for the future.

Once again thank-you to everyone for the support given to the Town through the support of Thornbury In Bloom. Let me remind you if you are a business, school, council or community group you can use the Title of "National Britain In Bloom Gold Medal and Category winner 2009" when describing your location and inviting people to buy a house here, visit your restaurant here etc etc.

If you would like to help in any way please contact me, Sue Aitken on 01454 419350 or thornburyinbloom@yahoo.co.uk, or visit our website www.thornburyinbloom.co.uk

With Best Wishes, Sue Aitken and all the current team.

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.

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