Helping to make Sligo bloom again
THE current fine spell of weather might be coming to an end but Sligo will still be blooming thanks to the erection of some 250 hanging baskets around the city.
Since Monday morning the streets of the city have been brightened with colour as the hanging baskets from the Blooming Sligo crew arrived over the weekend.
This year, thanks to the great support the project has got, there are over 250 hanging baskets decorating the streets of the town plus some shops will have additional flower boxes.
Nine years ago, a public meeting was called by the Sligo Council of Trade Unions, Sligo Chamber of Commerce and retailers who were concerned about the many shops closing down in the town. One of the suggestions from that public meeting was to improve the look of the retail centre of the town by putting up flower baskets.
Three people rose to the challenge and started the Blooming Sligo project.
Nine years later it is still going strong and getting better each year.
“It is hard to imagine the town without the baskets in the summer,’ ” said one of the founders, Tess Monaghan.
Rhona McGowan, who has also been with the project from the beginning, said:
“It has created a real positive way for people to work together to get things done.”
The project is supported by the retailers in the town and Sligo County Council.
Hugh MacConville, also one of the founding trio, said:
“This year Blooming Sligo is very grateful to Sligo Tidy Towns Committee for the extra help they gave us.
“Great credit is due to Healy Plants and to Ray Lenehan and his team for the great work in getting the flowers up overnight.
“With the arrival of the flower baskets, Sligo town centre has put out its brightest summer colours again”
If anyone wishes to contact Blooming Sligo, phone Hugh MacConville, 087 2441270