Budding young gardeners plant beautiful flowerbed

Local schoolchildren have been putting their green fingers to good use as they worked on a flowerbed in award winning Charlestown Village.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2016, 05:28 BST
Children from St. Marys Primary School, Carrick Primary School, Seagoe Primary School and Derrytrasna Integrated Playgroup who planted a flowerbed in Charlestown VillageChildren from St. Marys Primary School, Carrick Primary School, Seagoe Primary School and Derrytrasna Integrated Playgroup who planted a flowerbed in Charlestown Village
Children from St. Marys Primary School, Carrick Primary School, Seagoe Primary School and Derrytrasna Integrated Playgroup who planted a flowerbed in Charlestown Village

The village, winners of the small village section of the Translink Ulster In Bloom competition 2015, encouraged children of all ages to get involved in gardening by planting flowers in their own designated flowerbed.

Last year the children created a ‘Dolly Mixture’ flowerbed, planting any of the large variety of colours and types of plants available wherever they liked in the bed, creating a beautiful, albeit random, display.

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This was such a success it was decided to repeat the project this year with 22 children and 18 adults from St. Mary’s Primary School, Carrick Primary School, Seagoe Primary School and Derrytrasna Integrated Playgroup coming together to work on the flowerbed.

After the flowerbed was complete, the children enjoyed some playtime and ice-lollies, while the adults enjoyed some well-earned peace and a chance to chat. At one point all the P2 boys from St. Mary’s Primary School briefly disappeared, to be swiftly located in their friend’s house which happened to be next to the flower bed, trying to switch on the X-Box.

A big thank you to the teacher, parents, children and residents who made it possible for such an enjoyable and memorable day.

The Translink Ulster in Bloom competition continues to blossom and attract great interest and support from: councils; local ‘In – Bloom’ committees; the business community; and many residents from across Northern Ireland.

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The 2016 competition Translink Ulster in Bloom is underway and the competition judges will be out and about this summer to assess plant and floral presentations in villages, towns and cities right across Northern Ireland.

In 2015, all 11 new council areas participated entering a total of 132 places in the various categories of cities, towns and villages.

The judging panel reported a very noticeable improvement in standards of horticulture and also noted a significant improvement in the standard of cleanliness.

Places are judged using the criteria set by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

The key areas focused on are horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Related topics:TranslinkPrimary schoolNorthern Ireland