In 2004 Newbridge Tidy Towns Association decided that it was time to add some floral colour to the town centre for the summer months.

Having consulted widely with town residents and with landscaping professionals, the Association decided that the success of Newbridge in Bloom would depend largely on creating an instant visual impact by positioning pre-filled “planters” and containers in carefully selected locations throughout the town, and these locations need to be chosen to enable regular watering, feeding and “dead-heading” the flowers in the planters and railing boxes.

This was also the advice given to Tidy Towns Groups nationally in the “Tidy Towns Handbook” which states that “bedding plants and hanging baskets can make a huge contribution in terms of colour, but choose them to suit their surroundings – existing colours, stonework and paving, for example – and remember that a small number of large containers makes more of an impact and will be easier to maintain”

The aim of Newbridge in Bloom is to have a significant floral display in the town during the months June to September which will bring a splash of colour to the main commercial centre of the town.

Newbridge Tidy Towns commenced a Winter planting project in 2008 although this is restricted to floral displays at the major junctions at the Bridge, Athgarvan Road and Moorefield Road.

Horticulturist Mr. Jer Delaney, Gardens to Groom has been contracted to prepare the annual Newbridge in Bloom project.

Summer 2011 saw some 180 planters positioned in the town’s main commercial centre. A number of "half barrier units" have been positioned on the wall / railing of the County Library, The Riverbank Arts Centre, at the Athgarvan Road Junction, Military Road / Moorefield Road Junction and on the railings at the Town Hall.

We have experimented with the "cube" planters over the years, having tried them in a number of locations, we feel that they are best utilised on approach roads and high profile locations, such as the Athgarvan Road Junction, Military Road / Moorefield Road Junction and at the Bridge.

We hope that Newbridge in Bloom will attracted the attention of residents and visitors alike, and help showcase Newbridge as a major residential and retail centre.

One of the tasks which must to be carried out on a regular (weekly) basis commencing a few weeks after the planters are positioned on the streets, is “dead-heading”. This is essential as removing dead flower heads encourages the plants to produce new flower heads.

KARE Newbridge has undertaken to tend to the planters in the vicinity of the Bridge and at the Athgarvan Road Junction, and we appreciate their help in this regard.

We would welcome any assistance which could be provided by volunteers in this regard, if you are available for an

hour or so per week during the summer please contact the Tidy Towns Association by ‘phone or text at: 0868393293 or at email: Newbridge Tidy Towns Association

While we are not yet in a position to provide floral displays in all parts of the town; the limiting factors are sources of water, watering manpower, and obviously the cost of the project, we are expanding the project by a number of planters each year. Should you have any comments or suggestions please contact the Association at Newbridge Tidy Towns Association