Author Topic: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008  (Read 3889 times)

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Online ideasguy

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Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« on: June 03, 2008, 10:40:54 AM »
I have been asked to sponsor a copy of Flower Genie to each of the 132 entrants to the Translink Ulster in Bloom competition.
Its a special token to mark the 30th Anniversary of the event.

You can read about it here:
http://www.nilga.org/template1.asp?pid=705&area=2

Its yet another exciting project, with numerous possibilities and opportunities.
I'll be a bit busy this week, as the entrants are to be presented with their "tokens" this Friday 6th June.


NightHawk

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2008, 10:54:22 AM »
Exciting stuff indeed.  8)

You must be very proud to be asked to get involved in this event.

We hope it is a great success all round, and that it opens up new ventures for you.

Kathy and Laurie.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2008, 11:19:20 AM »
Thanks Kathy and Laurie.
I just found that link today. I see my own home town (Dromore - in Banbridge District Council) is entered in the competition.

The preparation by serious entrants is intensive. Ive heard it said that there are 50 or more volunteers in one particular village who go out deadheading flowers before judging. The judges also look at private gardens, down alleys etc. In the run up to judging, if a private garden looks like it needs help, the owner is asked if they need some help - but usually the owner volunteers to do the necessary.

I'm hoping for a fantastic photo collection!

NightHawk

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2008, 11:28:42 AM »
We have a similar event here with the "RHS Britain in Bloom" competition.

The preparations for some of the entrants are televised and you can see that the local residents for the particular area are truly dedicated and proud to be involved.  The intricate care and attention they give to make their village, town, city, etc., look at its best is amazing.

Good luck with your home town entry.

Look forward to seeing the photos.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2008, 11:37:00 AM by Kathy & Laurie »

Online ideasguy

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2008, 03:50:22 PM »
I'm afraid my home town will not do well in relation to others this year.
We live very close to two large shopping complexes. Many small shops have closed, even though the town has a huge influx of new families who arrived during the property boom (we are within easy commuting distance to Belfast).
Their closed premises have become a little delapidated.
Never mind, it has a long and very interesting history.

Ive now got all the labels printed, so now its "disc burning" time.
All this, when the weather is glorious and my poor garden needs me  :(

I see there are a number of Northern Ireland entrants in the Britain in Bloom competition. It will be interesting to follow this project over the summer months.

NightHawk

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2008, 03:57:04 PM »
All this, when the weather is glorious and my poor garden needs me  :(
You're the 'lucky' one at the moment George - it's done nothing but rain here all day.  Lots of things to do in our garden too but the heavy rain is atrocious.  :(

Laurie.

Offline bossgard

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2008, 05:44:57 PM »
I will say one thing about you wonderful people on this Forum, if you want to get an education, just tune into this Forum. Don?t feel too badly about your hometown being in disastrous straits with its economy, George. Unfortunately we who live in this area of US and generally country-wide are in the same boat. My hometown, which I have lived in all my life, has been trying to accomplish a ?downtown? revitalization for the past 20 to 25 years, I was very involved in that movement along with local government, but due to the aging process of me, hard for me to remain active. The retail sectors here and elsewhere in the country are suffering quite badly.

But this is a Gardening Forum and one thing is certain, particularly with the members living in the UK and elsewhere that they take their gardening, very, very seriously. WHICH IS GREAT! There is nothing quite so uplifting to the soul, as the sight of a beautifully maintained flower garden!

Speaking of same, rather than for me to do another posting in the Garden Photography, I pushed the button on the my camera the first time this past Sunday, at a visit to Kubota Gardens, which is a Japanese Garden quite close by, maintained by the City of Seattle Parks Department. It is the most relaxing garden I have ever been in, with new views with every turn in the path(s). Came home with about 15 shots, quite good, even if I do say so myself. But, how could I ruin anything as beautiful as it is? Might try to share with you in a short while.

Weather here is also lousy, raining today, too!

- Toby

NightHawk

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2008, 05:59:29 PM »
Toby, what you say about Japanese gardens being so relaxing is very interesting.

I've watched several different gardening programs on the TV where this has been the primary appeal of Japanese gardens.

I'm all for that type of mood.  However, our personal gardens are not large enough to create such a sedate atmosphere.
(Maybe we need to consider a house move  :o )

Anyway, I can't help but admire people who are able to create this type of garden and 'get away from it all', soaking up the atmosphere and transporting oneself into a far away land.

Looking forward to seeing those photos Toby.  :)

Laurie.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2008, 10:55:45 PM »
Nice posting, Toby. Isnt it bizarre that Ireland is basking in sunshine, yet its raining in mainland UK. It was VERY warm and sunny here today. My sons, daughter-in-law (a PR/Marketing exec - hence this project) my wife and I had a full production line working this evening. Its time consuming applying the labelling to the CD cases.
Outside, it was beautiful. Hope its still like this when the job is finished.

I'm delighted to hear you are taking photos at Kubota. Ive read about it on the internet, so like Laurie, looking forward to seeing the results of your photography.


Online ideasguy

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #9 on: June 04, 2008, 02:50:54 PM »
Read about the village which is well accustomed to picking up prizes in this competition:

Quote
the beautiful award winning village of Broughshane, known by communities all over the world for its success in the competitive floral arena having won Ulster in Bloom, Britain in Bloom, the European Entente Florale and Nations in Bloom, some events several times.

http://www.antrim.net/broughshane/

Online ideasguy

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2008, 10:54:14 AM »
Heres another town (Carrickfergus) which does very well in the Ulster in Bloom competition:
http://www.carrickfergusinbloom.org/winners06.html

If you like folk music, theres a lovely song by the name of Carrickfergus.
Anyone heard it?
Heres the words:
http://ingeb.org/songs/iwishiwa.html
« Last Edit: June 05, 2008, 10:56:25 AM by ideasguy »

Offline greenfinger

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2008, 07:40:53 PM »
Children wearing ties is a strange sight for us Continentals. In England I saw them in that "outfit" too. It strikes us as something very formal.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Translink Ulster in Bloom 2008
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2008, 07:47:32 PM »
Those children are probably wearing their school uniform - and school uniforms are strictly formal.
It would do no harm at all if such formality continued in later life.