Henbury and Brentry in Bloom-Jubilee

Henbury and Brentry Community are working together to put on an event during the last week of May for everyone to enjoy.

During the first week of May a huge log (see picture) will be delivered to the Barnard Park (open space opposite the shops) where craftsman Andy O’Neill will transform it with his chain saw into two beautiful benches each approx. 7-8 feet long. The benches will be carved from Sequoia (giant redwood) and will take about 5 days each to complete.

Sequoia is one of the nicest looking and longest lasting wood (can last more than 100 years) you can find and Andy is very excited about working with such wonderful and unusual timber to create something lovely for all in our community to enjoy. It will take three weeks for Andy to carve these two benches, one commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the other as yet undecided. There will also be three natural play features to be used as play sculptures for kids.( each one is going to be named by our three Primary schools).

The eight or nine herbaceous borders will be replanted with a range of colourful perennials by the parks officer Peter Watts. A one off design in the shape of a crown approximately ten square metres will be installed and local children will be invited to help with the planting. The Crown frame will be sedum or marigold and filled with petunias. The event will happened at the 24th of May and school children will be invited to help with this, along with everyone from our Community.

Baskets of flowers will be placed around lamp posts on Crow Lane to further enhance the overall celebration.

The intention is to enter this event into the Best Jubilee

Theme for Bristol in Bloom along with other various categories. Anyone who wishes to apply for an award i.e. best public house, hotel, shop front, shopping street area, your street, large garden, small garden and more. Please contact newsletter’s editor (see feedback page 11) for more information. The children are invited to enter for the Bristol in Bloom painting competition.

Check on bristolinbloom.org.uk/competitions website for details.

All these need to be approved by the Neighbourhood partnership by the end of March.

All are welcome to make this a big event for our community and be the best Blooming area in Bristol.

Andy O'Neill, age 41, lives in Yate, used to be a tree surgeon, now a wood carver, carving full time for the last 5 years.
Has worked on commissions for the National Trust, Forestry Commission, South Glos Council, Kent County Council and now Bristol City Council.

You can see some of Andy’s work at this address: www.myspace.com/creativecarving