Borderland Rotary recently enjoyed a talk from Natalie Bainbridge of Oswestry in Bloom, hearing about the plans for the project as well as its recent successes and history.
Natalie said, “Most people who live in, or visit Oswestry will have seen the results of the work that Oswestry in Bloom has done but of course, it’s an ongoing project and the current team have a lot to live up to. Last year we were awarded the Heart of England Gold Award in the Best Large Town category and because of this we have been invited to enter Britain in Bloom which includes all the home nations including Northern Ireland and I must say, it’s a little daunting to be one of forty-four entries from all over the country, but we are ready for the challenge so watch as the town comes to its brilliant, floral best over the next couple of months!”
Borderland Rotary introduced Oswestry in Bloom to Operation Pollination, a Rotary International initiative that encourages everyone to consider the bees and pollinating insects and try to encourage bee friendly planting and leave areas fallow so that wildflowers can flourish, and so, feed the bees.
Natalie continued, “I was delighted and grateful when Sherie and Justin, from Borderland, presented Operation Pollination to me as it gave us the chance to really expand the idea. We visited just about all the local schools and planted an amazing 1,477 Sunflower seeds and gave away packs of wildflower seeds for children to plant at home. We asked them to go to our website and tell us where the seeds had been planted so that we can put them on the map and see where we have created ‘bee corridors’ in this area. All in all, it continues to be very busy, and I hope everyone enjoys the blooms as they appear this summer.”
If you want to get involved, just go to https://oswestryinbloom.wordpress.com
Pictured Left to right: Chris Bryan-Smith (Borderland president), Natalie Bainbridge (Oswestry in Bloom) & Jonathan Jones (Borderland).
