Following the re-opening of this centre in 2021 at this stage of Covid19, OiB was asked if we could provide some planters to cheer the place up. Luckily, we had just been offered some pretty pots which we planted up and gave to the centre. They are a mix of low-maintenance drought-tolerent perfumed herbs and more colourful flowers.
OiB is trying to maintain the town’s barrier planters so there is always something interesting in them, using perennials wherever possible. The week of 10th May was a good opportunity to upgrade all 31 planters, which we did in three mornings. Despite ongoing restrictions we had an enjoyable time followed by coffee in the market square. The very kind Otley BID has stepped in to provide the money for watering roughly half these planters this year.
October and November are always busy months for OiB, even more so when Covid is causing constantly changing restrictions on how many people can meet out of doors. During this period we do a lot of tidying up. So various individuals managed to get out and tidy up the Charles St car park, a number of planters around town, flower beds on Weston Lane and Bremner Street corner, as well as smaller sites. All socially distanced or keeping in a bubble, of course.
Back in February 2020 OIB were discussing how to celebrate 20 years of OIB, possibly paying for a new seat or planting up the BT building’s garden. Fast forward just a few weeks and the country was in lockdown with members restricted to their homes and, depending on their health and age, access to regular outdoor exercise. A very strange time which was made slightly better by some of the loveliest spring weather we have seen. This lovely weather dried out many plantings around town which could not be supported by Leeds Parks as they had to modify work roles across the city.
OIB had to change what it does as well. We have tried to maintain a new Daily Flower posting on Facebook. Our monthly meetings have moved onto the web in Zoom. Eventually, lockdown limits were raised enough to allow us to tidy and replant the garden at the Fire Station. Moving into June/July we decided to help Otley reopen its centre by filling and planting up 32 barrier planters and asked Otley inhabitants to contribute via crowdsourcing (an OIB first).
When OIB decided to bring back plants to all the barrier planters (32) around central Otley we hoped we would get a lot of help from companies selling us compost and plants and we were not disappointed. Thank you B&TS and Courtyard Planters.
But we didn’t know what to do about the watering. Well the kind companies of Otley stepped up to give us a hand, so we really do thank:
and Arundel Travel
all of whom have stepped up to give Otley a helping hand. Thanks.
The flowers on the backs of the willow bike riders at the fire station have been renewed, and a few adjustments made to the bikes.
We also replanted the square wooden planters in Orchardgate behind the bus station for Autumn.
And Jacquie replanted the green bicycle outside the library too.
Otley in Bloom 