Welcome to Pickering in Bloom

The Pickering in Bloom group has been in existence in its present form since January 2005. We are a small but enthusiastic group of around 14 volunteers wanting to enhance the appearance of the town through floral displays. In 2008 and 2009 we took part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Yorkshire in Bloom Competition and achieved a silver award.

In spring, summer and autumn, we work in pairs to look after specific areas of the town, for instance the flower beds in Hungate near to the traffic lights. For major work, such as shrub pruning, as many gardeners as are available get together to tackle the task but, generally, volunteers garden as and when it fits in with their other commitments. We wear high-visibility jackets which are printed on the back by one of our sponsors with their name and Pickering in Bloom.

Fundraising has allowed us to buy new planters for the town centre.  Every year between 70 and 80 local businesses donate money for bulbs and plants and display small ‘We are proud to support Pickering in Bloom’ cards on their Windows. The Wine bar in the Market place provides the venue,
free of charge, for our monthly meetings which continue throughout the year to plan and coordinate our activities. We also organise fund raising evenings in the winter months.

We sponsor a local “In House Garden” competition which has six categories covering every aspect of gardening from window boxes right through to schools, community gardens, business or commercial premises. Details of this are issued in June in the local press and everyone is invited to join in. Trophies and Certificates are presented at a Social Evening in the Autumn – along with a buffet supper and a quiz.

We also work in partnership with other groups, for instance the local anglers, who clear the accumulation of rubbish and debris from the part of Pickering beck that runs through the town. We allocate a garden in Smiddy Hill to a different youth organisation in the town bi-annually, which has in the past been maintained by school pupils, Scouts and Guides and is, at present, in the capable hands of a local Brownie Pack. Our latest project is a Memorial Garden in Smiddy Hill, sponsored by Potter Hill Methodist Chapel Tuesday Group and this will add to the many flower displays in the gardens and tubs around The Green, which is a favourite seating area for residents and visitors. We have also taken part in the Parish Church’s Christmas Tree Festival, decorating our tree with miniature gardening tools, flowers etc. and some of our volunteers have also helped the Church by acting as Stewards for this Festival.

Residents can read about our activities in our regular column in the Pickering Beacon, a free quarterly magazine that is hand delivered by volunteers to all residents in the town. This magazine is also on sale in the town at various outlets.

Both residents and visitors often stop to chat, ask advice about their gardening problems (which we answer if we can!) and compliment us on our work – which is very welcome as all our volunteers are dedicated to making the town look its best.

Environmental Responsibility

We source most of our plants and get our compost at economical rates from local Nurseries. Residents also donate plants to us. Our green waste is put in biodegradable bags provided by Ryedale District Council, whose staff collect them for composting from designated points in the town, on request.

New Volunteers always welcomed.

We are always on the lookout for new members, in any age group. No prior gardening experience is needed, as you will be teamed up with a partner. The main requirement is just a desire to make our town look the best in the region.

If you would like to join us, please contact Eileen Blakeley on 01751 477 799

Alternatively you can send an email to enquiries@bramwoodguesthouse.co.uk

	Left : Keld Head Garden Right: Smiddy Hill Raised Bed
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	Left: Flower Bed and PIB Benches – Market Place Right: School Garden Smiddy Hill
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	Left: Chapel Gardens Right: Traffic Lights Garden
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	Left: Log Train Right: Tub Smiddy Hill
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	Left: George V Memorial Smiddy Hill Right: Tulip Bed Smiddy Hill
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	Left: WRVS Gardens Right: Tub Smiddy Hill
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How to contact Pickering in Bloom

Peter Emmerson – Chairman
telephone – 01751 473401

Eileen Blakely – Vice Chairman
telephone – 01751 477799

John Butler – Treasurer
telephone – 01751 474066

alternatively you can email us via
enquiries@bramwoodguesthouse.co.uk

LIST OF GARDENS, TUBS & BOXES MAINTAINED BY PICKERING IN BLOOM 2011

Hungate:
Two beds at entrance to Taylor’s Joinery Works
Long bed from Taylors to Coal Yard gate

Chapel Garden:
One bed adjacent to United Reform Chapel, Hungate

WRVS garden:
An herbaceous garden with some parts along the beckside left natural to maintain a balance.

Herb garden for use of WRVS kitchen.

Riverside Walk:
4 concrete tubs near footbridge into Co-op supermarket

The Ropery:
Small garden adjacent to roadside bridge
Planter outside Ropery House
Planter outside the Library

Market Place:
Small garden outside Yorkshire Building Society
Planter top of Market Place
Planter near phone boxes

Champleys Mews:
Small bed adjacent to Champleys Shoes

Smiddy Hill:
Garden at bottom of Hall Garth
The fountain trough behind this garden & border on two sides
Top shrubbery
Raised bed outside Liberal Club
Two large green tubs either side of Liberal Club steps
Two large brown wooden tubs outside middle terrace house
One brown plastic tub outside end terrace house
George V Memorial
Two black planters
One triangular wooden planter

The Roundabout:
Four mangers on top of barriers