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NEWBRIDGE IN BLOOM
Sponsored by
DROICHEAD NUA TOWN COUNCIL
NEWBRIDGE CREDIT UNION
BORD na MÓNA
Background
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”
While in the early years of this project we had numerous hanging baskets throughout the town, we have in recent years restricted the use of hanging baskets to specific areas. The use of hanging baskets requires a high level of maintenance, and substantial water resource.
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.
Planting for All Year Round Effect
Newbridge Tidy Towns commenced a Winter planting project in although this is restricted to floral displays at the major junctions at the Bridge, Athgarvan Road and Moorefield Road.
In 2013 plans are being developed to re-design and re-plant the shrub bed adjacent to the Garda Station, this will require planting native species trees and plants, to create a suitable area of Biodiversity planting in the town centre.
Newbridge in Bloom
Local Horticulturist Mr. Jer Delaney of Gardens to Groom has been contracted to prepare the Newbridge in Bloom project in 2013.
Summer 2012 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.
Dead-heading
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 or at email: Newbridge Tidy Towns Association
The Future
While we are not yet in a position to provide floral displays in all parts of the town, we are however expanding the project by a number of planters each year.
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who are supporting the project this year, particularly our sponsors (listed above), Jer Delaney, and KARE.
