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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 13, 2012 10:40:56 GMT
Some of you may have heard about the Entente Florale but if not, to put it as simply as possible, it is an international horticultural competition that is held each year. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entente_Floralewww.entente-florale.eu/There are 12 countries that take part although I read that Poland is now joining in as well. Doetlingen is a wonderful large village around 15km's from where we live and the only village in Germany accepted in this competition. Dutchy and her OH come up for the open gardens and Herb's each year and are very impressed with the area. This is the link to the thread that I did after going to Herb's in 2009.... www.gardenworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=hols&thread=7669&post=250865Amongst the gardens and arts and craft etc we of course go to Olaf Schachtschneider's (of Engelsgesicht/Angelface fame) GC/Nursery.....and Olaf is of course a big part of the Entente Florale in Doetlingen as well.... I think that Dutchy will agree that it is a wonderful area and it is a fantastic opportunity for the village. It is of course all on a voluntary basis. However the one thing about the Entente Florale is that it is all in English - all the written entries, videos, speeches, tours - everything must be in English and that is where I come in. Olaf phoned me and asked if I would help with all the translating and although I don't actually live in Doetlingen, I have been going to Olaf's for over 15 years and love visiting the open garden weekend so I do feel part of the area a little bit. So, that about it - I have already started the translating and thanks to a certain person on GWD for helping me to understand a couple of English sentences that I was sure were from an "alien" language, I feel I have done well up to now. I really am happy and honoured to have been asked to be a part of the team and guess what Dutchy - the prize giving ceremony is in Venlo, Holland!! I hope that during the next few months I can keep adding to this thread with pics and new info. We are going for the Gold Medal !! RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 13, 2012 10:59:44 GMT
Well I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you all that's for sure Rf. I'm at work on a break so can't get the links but I'll catch up when I get home later.
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Post by Tig on Jan 13, 2012 14:32:15 GMT
It took me a while, but I have found a bit of information on the UK entry for this year from which I've copied this additional information Entente Florale Europe Rustington's next challenge Rustington has recently been invited by the Royal Horticultural Society, to represent the United Kingdom in the Entente Florale Europe Competition in 2012.There are 12 Countries involved, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and Slovenia. Each Country can put forward two entries, one village and one town/city, each year. In total, some 22,000 entrants enter the Annual Competitions in all of these Countries, so to get down to the final 24 is truly a magnificent achievement of recognition, and most certainly a great honour. The Rustington-in-Bloom Committee and, indeed, the Parish Council, received the invitation with a mixture of emotions; disbelief, excitement and pride. To be asked to enter this prestigious Competition, is both exciting and daunting, a real challenge. Participating in Britain-in-Bloom was a challenge but this really is in a different league! A once in a lifetime opportunity for the Village! Entente Florale is a very different Competition than Britain-in-Bloom, in which the Village excelled this year, in that it focuses more on the Environment and less on Horticulture, although still representing over 50% of the marks awarded, but with only 10% of the marks being allocated for floral displays. Date added/updated: 15 December 2011 by Carole Ward Here is the link if anyone is interested www.allaboutrustington.co.uk/news.phpI haven't found which 'town' will be representing the UK yet, so if any other 'Sherlocks' do, please post  x Tig |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 13, 2012 17:27:39 GMT
How interesting RF and what an honour for you to be involved  have bookmarked the thread so I don't miss owt ;D I've been sherlocking Tig ;D can't find B all  |
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Post by Jilly on Jan 13, 2012 18:10:10 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 13, 2012 18:21:00 GMT
Blimey Jilly that is a coincidence...perhaps you can keep us informed at your end - that would be marvellous??!!
Sue
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Post by Jilly on Jan 13, 2012 18:37:18 GMT
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Post by Tig on Jan 13, 2012 19:06:05 GMT
Ooooh our very own 'spy' Jilly, think you should deffo make several reconoiters  From my investigations so far, the City representing the UK in the 2012 competition appears to be Bristol - will carry on with my enquiries  x Tig |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 13, 2012 19:08:16 GMT
Marvellous Jilly and thanks - of course you are a "GWD Special Correspondent"...
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Jan 13, 2012 19:11:15 GMT
I love the title - what a good play on words!
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 13, 2012 19:16:09 GMT
I saw in the paper that the town that is representing Germany is Guben which is on the border to Poland.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 14, 2012 6:35:48 GMT
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Post by Auricula on Jan 14, 2012 9:39:09 GMT
St Ives was in it in 2005  I'll definitely keep tabs on the goings on this year |
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Post by Jasmine on Jan 14, 2012 10:34:31 GMT
I could perhaps pop there in the summer & take a few pics. I'll tell OH that we have to go as I'm the GWD special correspondent  As it happens I think the main road through Rustington contains more GCs & nurseries than anywhere else on the South Coast hmm perhaps I should go more than once  Jillyx Sounds like it might need several trips Jilly! i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/wink.gif |
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 14, 2012 11:01:23 GMT
Ow not Doetlingen then?
I think it is a wonderful little town but that might just be why they were not chosen? Too small?
They do have by far the best old tree I ever saw or was that another village?
Jilly as Special Correspondent hmmmmmm. You did say there were a lot of GC on the road towards Rustington? I fear we need an extra correspondent as you will be stuck in greenery before you even get there ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 14, 2012 11:26:47 GMT
Yes Doetlingen Dutchy as it is classed as a village and not a town and yes that wonderful old tree (over 1000 years) was there as well...I took a couple of lovely pics if I remember rightly...
BTW the Open gardens weekend is 23rd/24th June this year.
RF
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Post by Tig on Jan 14, 2012 13:57:00 GMT
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 15, 2012 12:31:27 GMT
Flipping  Where on earth do they plan to go green then? South is pretty big. There are parks and all streets do have trees and there are some areas with interesting buildings that they can green up but still... Not all of it is nice. There is a lovely allotment for school kids which they wish to tear down so that is not a positive one. Hm. I do wonder and I'll try to find some information. Not sure if I want to be the special correspondent though.... P.s. fingers crossed for Doetlingen RF |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 24, 2012 8:47:52 GMT
Just to update things.
Last night was the first meeting in Doetlingen to try and arrange things - many many questions, loads of answers and an incredible amount of work that will have to be done...
All in all the people were very positive and in two weeks there is going to an informative evening for the general village folk and to see who would like to help, gain more ideas etc etc...
A nice bunch of people and we were chauffeured to and from in a top Mercedes - what more could one wish for!!!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 24, 2012 14:35:08 GMT
Nice of them to provide such luxury transport Rf. Sounds like you all have your work cut out for you but I'm sure it'll be fun arranging. |
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Post by Dutchy on Feb 24, 2012 9:06:08 GMT
Update from Amsterdam South.... They are out. When they entered they were a smaller part of town but due to restructuring the civil services they grew and can now no loger afford to take part. The area has become by far too large and costs will fly through the roof. So that is Amsterdam out. Looks like you stand a chance after all RF ;D ;D |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 24, 2012 13:12:03 GMT
Oh that's a blow for them although the work is hard even for a small village like Doetlingen. I have just done the last bit of translating until a large brochure has to be done...
There are meetings as to what to plant, where, plants that can be bought at self-cost prices, free seeds and even a large firm that will help with the money side....we are doing well and I hope we stand a chance...
We have a date as well - D-Day for us is 14th July which is a Saturday!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Feb 24, 2012 16:24:24 GMT
It sounds like you're doing really well Rf, fingers crossed. Dutchy shame about Your news but that's how it is sometimes when restructuring takes place. |
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Post by Dutchy on Feb 26, 2012 14:17:19 GMT
Yes but in all the area there has some nice green bits anyhow, they will just not go over the top to win.
Free seeds eh RF will you be enlisted to be growing things as well as translating?
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 26, 2012 14:59:14 GMT
Doubt very much that I will get anything Dutchy...plus I have got all on growing stuff for myself - I am running out of space...
RF
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Post by Dutchy on Mar 1, 2012 9:54:14 GMT
Steer clear I'd say. Or your windowsills will collapse.
I am off on hols tomorrow but I have sowed toms, chillies, pepper and Aubergine in the heated Prop. With luck they will be there when I get back from hols and not before as that will kill them.
Ah well.
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 9, 2012 11:19:03 GMT
A bit of an update and a sort of good news/bad news story. As I have said a large international firm was going to help with funding for flower beds on the roads in and out of the village. I can't say the name as this board can be seen on the whole of the web - enough to say that it would have meant a lot of pennies...the return was a bit of advertising which was OK.. This was rejected by a handful of people who insisted that all the planting etc etc must be bio/organic. At a small meeting afterwards this problem was sorted out as well and all seemed to be happy... I say seemed because some people are and were obviously not happy. A anonymous call was received to say that if this large firm was accepted then all the flower beds would be destroyed on July 13th - one day before the Jurors arrived. Nothing more was said and the call ended. Then a mail was received from a person that was known to say that if this cooperation with this large firm continued then there would be a large demonstration on the 14th July at the time that the Jurors arrived in Doetlingen. At least everyone had been warned. At a later meeting another firm was suggested, the one the demonstrators wanted and all the principle people, Olaf being one of them, said that they were not going to be blackmailed or threatened and neither firm would be accepted. Feelings were running high as you can understand and people were rock bottom - Olaf said that they just didn't want to carry on. There has been so much hard work done and in one fell swoop everything was destroyed by - well - idiots to my mind!! Then something happened that turn the tables totally... A group of women who are in a Rural Living type club said that they were willing to look after the 50sqm garden in the centre of the village for the next 5 years and not just for the EF - the first planting action starts this coming Saturday... After that another 3 women came forward and said that they would also be willing take over flower beds, renewing them and caring for them for the next 5 years as well... Other people have come forward and are helping and have said that they are proud to be in the Entente Florale... Plans are being changed and the motto now is:
"Yes we Can" RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 9, 2012 17:04:06 GMT
Wow what a story. It's great that things have worked out even better than anticipated. It just shows that things (even bad things) happen for a reason and I'm delighted to hear that this dark cloud had a silver linning Rf.
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 20, 2012 15:54:08 GMT
Just an update....
We were at a meeting on Wednesday where groups/people were designated for which Task...
The time plan has been set out - 4 hours in total , all on foot, and each person/ place has been meticulously worked out - some only having 2-3 minutes to show their part.
Everyone worked well together and were happy to help in some way...there are always one or the other that tend to feel that they are better/more suitable than others....on the whole though things were quiet and good.
At the end of April there is a large seed planting action and a photo shooting for the new 20page Brochure and I am to be available from 1st May for brochure and speech translations, and help on D-day, 14th. July,should it be needed. Think I will need my walking shoes!!!
The winners will be presented in Venlo (Holland) on the 14th September and work is on to try and find coaches, hotels etc etc. No matter who wins we are going to drive down, if possible.
What is very interesting is that at the same time in Venlo is the Floriada 2012 World Horticultural Expo which we would all love to see - there will be the best of the best as far as Horticulture is concerned...
Fingers crossed that all involved manage to organize things...and that the 14th July is a sunny day!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 21, 2012 7:33:39 GMT
It all seems to be going well then Rf. Sounds like you're in for a real treat in Sept. as well. |
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I'll definitely keep tabs on the goings on this year 
Where on earth do they plan to go green then?