Community spirit is just blooming great

Community spirit is blooming in a north Northumberland village.
Barrowing tons of grit and gravel.Barrowing tons of grit and gravel.
Barrowing tons of grit and gravel.

Beadnell has entered the annual Northumbria in Bloom competition for the first time this year and volunteers have been working hard to get the village looking ship-shape.

More than 15 tonnes of gravel, grit and stones have been laid, planters constructed, flower borders created and bulbs planted.

The coble Beadnell Lass has been transformed into a herb garden.The coble Beadnell Lass has been transformed into a herb garden.
The coble Beadnell Lass has been transformed into a herb garden.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Katie Archer, one of the organisers, said: “We didn’t dream when we set out just a few short months ago that we would have such a positive response from the community and partners. More than 20 volunteers have come forward to help, donating over 250 hours of their time. In addition, we have had donations of gravel, a coble, topsoil, compost, plants and money to buy materials.

“ISOS, the provider of affordable housing in the village, has agreed to help us with new planting. The icing on the cake has been a £2,500 grant from the AONB towards creating a wildlife corridor along the Lonnen. This will involve employing a qualified tree surgeon to cut back the trees and open up the ground to allow more light and in turn encourage wildlife and flowers to thrive.

“We may not have been able to tackle everything needed but have got off to a great start and have exciting plans for the coming year.”

Beadnell Lass, an old coble donated by a local businessman, has been given pride of place and transformed into a herb garden.

A colourful welcome to the village.A colourful welcome to the village.
A colourful welcome to the village.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

New flower borders have been created, a tired shrub border has been cut back and donated bulbs planted and wildflower seeds scattered by local children from the Stay and Play Group.

Members of the community have created their own planters, designed to look like piled-up fish boxes to celebrate the village’s heritage.

Anyone interested in volunteering or sponsoring a fish-box planter can contact [email protected] or visit the Facebook page Beadnell in Bloom 2016.