Category: Project

Mass snowdrop planting 20th September

Mass Snowdrop Planting

to commemorate World War 1

Sunday 20th September at 10am, meet at The Buttercross

This September Otley in Bloom will be working with schools, community groups and other interested parties to plant snowdrops to mark the centenary of the First World War. 5000 bulbs will be planted across the town in key locations to mark this important anniversary.

Why snowdrops?

Snowdrops have been chosen as they are a symbol of peace and hope, and a link to the white war graves. They are also an early source of nectar for bees. The snowdrops will flower in spring 2016, creating larger clumps every year from then on to create a lasting legacy.

If you would like to be involved, or can think of a good place to plant some snowdrops, let us know….

www.otleyinbloom.co.uk or call 01943 462390

Snowdrops and War – Some Facts

There is also a connection with the Crimean War. Unlike the poppy’s association with the blood spilt in the First World War, the purity of the snowdrop enchanted the soldiers bogged down in Crimea (1853-1856). The flowers heralded spring on the battlefield. Many survivors brought the bulbs back to plant in their gardens.

Snowdrops contain their own anti-freeze. They were harvested during the First World War to make anti-freeze for tanks.

On a sunny day, snowdrops are highly scented and give off a honey smell. If you have enough plants the perfume will fill the garden.

More flowers at Craven Street

We received a very nice report from the Craven Street resident who first asked if we could help him improve the site.

I first contacted Otley In Bloom roughly a year ago about the possibility of clearing up a scruffy triangle of land on Craven Street. It had been an overgrown area full of litter and used to toilet dogs, but not much else, and was a neighbourhood eyesore.
  
Otley in Bloom were full of ideas, knowledge, organisational skill, energy and an inspiring commitment to the project. They also provided valuable funding and muscle power in weeding, organising the pollarding of the elderberry tree, planting grass seeds and daffodil bulbs, buying a bird box and lastly a bench. As a result we had a wonderful spring show of long flowering daffodils which many people have enjoyed. The bench has recently been installed by OIB volunteers, and though the weather hasn’t encouraged much sitting and chewing the cud yet, it sets the garden off and I hope will encourage further participation with locals planting more bulbs and (I hope) a tree at some point.

Since then some flowering plants have been added at the back, and a plaque fixed to the seat.  The Craven Street garden is no longer an eyesore, and is a pleasant place to visit.

Ashfield Primary School’s planter

Some members of the gardening club at Ashfield Primary School helped Otley in Bloom with a planter in the middle of Otley, near Pizza Base and the Memorial Garden. Look out for the purple and yellow colour scheme.  You can see some photos of them tidying, planting and watering it by going to their Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/ashfieldprimary

Summer town centre planting session

Summer Town Centre Planting Session

Sunday 17th May at 10am

 meet at The Garden School, 9 Westgate

Would you like to help prepare Otley for Summer?

Do you like planting up containers?

Do you fancy spending a morning with like-minded people?

Join us for this event.  Some of the work will be done around town, and some of the work will be done inside (so it’s safe if you want to bring children – they can get involved too).

For more details call 01943 462390.

Helping edge a garden

Yesterday’s Otley in Bloom event was a few of us helping secure these sleepers along the edge of a border in a residential area of town. One of the local residents has reclaimed a small bramble-infested area and created a beautiful cottage garden border for the whole street to enjoy, and all the people who walk past it. We know that it’s little areas like this that can raise a smile.