Portishead in Bloom

Monthly Press Release – including updates and events

October/November 2009

Working Parties - in October 12 people from the Pride in Portishead group (PIP) tidied Newlands Hill and Slade Road footpath.

Friends of Portishead in Bloom did an Autumn clear-up in the Millenium Garden.

Open Gardens – a small group from the Portishead in Bloom Committee met in October to discuss the planning arrangements for next year’s Open Gardens weekend which will be taking place on Saturday 12 June and Sunday 13 June 2010 This is our main fund raising event of the year enabling us to continue with our horticultural work within the town. It is always such successful event which requires a great deal of hardwork from members of P in B. We are constantly looking for new gardens to view. The Chair of Portishead in Bloom, Sandy Tebbutt would love to hear from anyone interested in opening their gardens. Sandy’s contact number is 01275 843566 and e-mail address sandytebbutt@hotmail.com

School connections - we have strong links with Portishead Primary School and some members of P in B were invited to attend a ‘celebration assembly’. We presented the children with an RHS ‘Neighbourhood Award Certificate’, gardening books and donations of bulbs, seeds and compost from HOMEBASE who, incidentally, have been superb in their continuing support of the school.

The Key Stage 1 children have been preparing their allotment for next year as well as planting spring bulbs around the school grounds.

Some Key Stage 2 children who have joined a recently formed Gardening Club planted tubs at the front of the school with pansies, violas and tulips donated by Portishead in Bloom and assisted by a member of Portishead in Bloom.

Town Council meeting - the outgoing Chair of Portishead in Bloom presented the Town Council with the two Gold Awards won in the RHS South West and Britain in Bloom competitions, as well as the Sargent Cup awarded to Portishead in Bloom for the most ‘dedication and commitment of a group’ in its category.

Bulb Planting – 14 volunteers planted three sacks of daffodils supplied by South West in Bloom. The area to the right of the Open Air Swimming Pool and the bank opposite should be a mass of colour in the spring.

A small group of P in B members planted bulbs in the historic orchard and wildflower meadow along Wyndham Way. Crocuses, narcissi cammasias etc have been planted, 440 in total. This was funded by Portishead in Bloom.

Tub stripping – 16 volunteers turned up to remove the summer bedding ready for spring planting. Some of the compost was removed and delivered to Portishead Primary school for recycling and also on allotments for composting.

Tub Planting - In atrocious weather conditions, 20 volunteers planted the large blue tubs with spring bulbs and plants. Many thanks to The Poacher for providing most welcome refreshments.

Future Projects – heather and conifer beds are being planned for the Westhill Triangle area of the town. Portishead in Bloom is working closely with North Somerset Council to improve this area so watch this space!

The Lions are celebrating its 40^th birthday next year. The bed outside Portishead Open Air Swimming Pool will be landscaped this coming season with 40 special Lion yellow roses and companion planting in conjunction with North Somerset Council. Portishead in Bloom will be doing the companion planting on one of our work parties in either February or March, in time for the “unveiling” ceremony on March 17^th 2010.

Vandalism - our long awaited baskets on the bridge of Wyndham Way were vandalised on Halloween Night. We are in discussions with North Somerset Council about possible replacements. During the following weekend, a basket on one of the carousels in the High Street was damaged so much that it had to be taken away and replaced. Please inform the local police if you see any incidences of this type taking place.

Useful contacts

We are always looking for more people to become a “friend” of Portishead in Bloom. Our Friends of Portishead in Bloom co-ordinator is Antje Lehmann.Contact number 01275 818123 and e-mail address antjes@talktalk.com.

Portishead in Bloom is very proud to have its own website which can be accessed on www.portisheadinbloom.org.uk .