In 2022 there is to be a special long Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June. St George’s Church are already planning a Big Friendly Gathering on the green on Saturday 4 June, so this long weekend seems to be an ideal high spot with which to end next year’s Jesmond Community Festival. A start date has not yet been finalised – it could be on Saturday 7 May, or another day early in May, depending on the views of participating groups. Let us have your views by emailing info@jesmondcommunityfestival.co.uk .
There were lots of good looking ‘Teddies’ with great names in the Trail this year. A BIG thank you to all hosts and Trailers who have helped to make this year’s efforts very worthwhile.
Woodland Mews kindly donated their ‘Big Ted’ to the Trail. We have decided he should stay in the Library and be a friend to all our younger visitors.
Hope to see you again in 2022!
Winners from the Trail Prize Draw
(14 forms returned)
Harry B
Amelia Grace D
Elsie & Xander G (we loved all your drawings)
Amira S
Favourite Bear(s) Joint Host winners
Harry – hosted by Gill W
Beary Poppins – hosted by Rachel & David C
A special mention to Hayes Travel (Acorn Rd) who cleverly added paw prints in their window. Gangsta Granny’s escape route could be spotted!
With the completion of this year’s Teddy Bear Trail, all the teddies are returning to their homes. Bad Mood Bear is taking time out to catch up with his reading.
Once again the Glorious Gardens competition brought to attention some wonderful Jesmond gardens. These were the award winners:
Small garden: 16 Northumberland Gardens. This small space is densely filled with a range of very unusual plants, with dramatic use of strong, dark colours. The bright touches of red and yellow provide a colourful lift. In addition there are some lovely features around the front door, including solar lights woven into shrubs, and a small tree.
Large Garden: 16 Tankerville Terrace. This garden was a pleasing mixture of flowering pots and borders, containing perennials and bedding plants surrounding a little lawn. There was a row of pots lining the path leading to the front door. All the plants were in bloom and it was delightfully colourful. Two Buddha statues added a touch of serenity.
Wildlife friendly: 25 Holly Avenue. This is a long front garden, with a huge mature lime tree on its front boundary. The tree has had its crown lifted to allow light in, and the area beneath is cultivated as a woodland garden with many wildflowers and a woodpile. A small lawn includes an area of long grass and a table feeder, and there are also bird feeders and a bird bath. The whole area is densely planted, including use of the fence between neighbours. The garden adjoins many similar front gardens and provides as much as possible for wildlife, while creating a colourful space.
Single Container: 61 Grosvenor Gardens. A very attractive pot with lovely contrast between white and purple flowers against darker foliage. Simple but effective and works well in the context of sparkling pebbles.
The Teddy Bear Trails stay in place until 6 June, and you can enter for the Photographic Competition until 25 September, but most 2021 Jesmond Community Festival events have now come to an end. Keep an eye out for the results of the final festival competitions, and give us your comments on any of this year’s events by emailing info@jesmondfestival.org.uk . Or, use the same email address to let us have your ideas for next year!
The Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra were unable to give their annual Festival performance in Jesmond Library this year, so instead they have recorded this version of Chick Corea’s “Spain” for us. Their technical achievement during lockdown is astounding, quite apart from their musical talents!
