Rawdon in Bloom – Judges comments – Gold
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Overall Impression: It is evident from meeting the core members of the RIB group that they are very passionate about their village, and their passion and obvious enthusiasm shows in the results that their hard work around the village has produced. It is obvious that the group are constantly working to improve the overall look of the area, and the newly created Layton rockery as you enter from Horsforth into the village is a very pleasant sight. Their ethos of self-sufficiency and recycling are to be commended. With over 85% of the bedding plants seen around the village being grown by RIB members. The recycling of wood from the village, and skills provided from local residents to create signs and planters made an impressive addition to Rawdon. Trinity Church, the Garden of Remembrance, the lovely Crowtree planters along with the very well-kept Victory Garden Allotments were very pleasant stops on our tour. The ninety-nine white iceberg roses planted at the Littlemoor memorial stone and gardens was a place of peace and reflection for the local villagers. A number of the local businesses were seen to be supporting RIB with the very lovely planters outside their properties. All in all – a lovely village to visit. Judges feedback on areas for consideration.
Because of the building work being carried out at the local Primary school the judges did not get a chance to see the work carried out at ‘The Hive’. It would have been nice to have seen evidence of bird houses, bug hotels possibly being placed in this area.
In addition to the above the Vice Chairman of Rawdon in Bloom Phil Gomersall, was awarded ‘Community Champion’ award, presented to ‘individuals who have gone above and beyond to make their community gardening projects a success’, by the RHS Yorkshire In Bloom, under their Discretionary Yorkshire Rose Awards. Whilst Phil is very honoured by this award, he would like to stress that the success of the projects in Rawdon is and has been due to a dedicated team effort.
Phil Gomersall, Vice Chairman, Rawdon in Bloom.
In this article worth reading, as part of the National Gardening Week, Phil Gomersall reports on the appeal of allotments.
In his unique way, he describes both his personal experiences that led him to his passion and the question of what makes gardening so special.
He emphasises the social and ecological aspects that lead to an increasing interest in new allotment garden plots.
Phil Gomersall, president of the National Allotment Society,
on his plot in Rawdon. Picture: Simon Hulme
Read the full article here and let yourself be infected by this passion.
Appeal of allotments as Leeds waiting lists grow: They're the 'best thing since sliced bread'
By Ruby Kitchen, The Yorkshire Post, 5 May 2022
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/family-and-parenting/appeal-of-allotments-as-leeds-waiting-lists-grow-theyre-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread-3680852
National Gardening Week (2-8 May 2022)
https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/national-gardening-week/
Devon Wildlife Trust (1) media release
Devon Wildlife Trust has revealed their new Wildlife Awareness Allotment Award to celebrate allotment gardeners making space for wildlife.
The most recent State of Nature (2) report showed almost half of UK wildlife is in long term decline and 15% of species are at risk of extinction. Loss of habitats and overuse of pesticides are two major reasons for these declines, particularly in our vital insect populations.
The patchwork of green spaces across our towns and cities are hugely important for wildlife and can help communities tackle the biodiversity and climate crises. Domestic gardens are often celebrated as potential wildlife havens and there is a growing movement to make space for nature elsewhere, from roadside verges to green roofs. Allotments are part of this network of valuable green spaces, providing food, water and shelter for animals, as well as producing a colourful spread of local produce.
Devon Wildlife Trust and the South West Branch of the National Allotment Association have teamed up to champion allotments as budding spaces for wildlife, by launching the Wildlife Awareness Allotment Award! The award, hosted on the Devon Wildlife Trust website, aims to inspire and encourage allotment gardeners to make space so that wildlife can thrive.
Katie Wilkinson, Devon Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Team Lead says
”This award is a fantastic opportunity for people to be recognised for their efforts in creating wildlife friendly allotments. Greenspaces such as allotments are vital stepping stones – if every gardener did a few things for wildlife on their patch, such as going chemical free, it would make a huge difference to local wildlife’’.
Tim Callard, Chairman of the South West Branch of the National Allotment Society (3):
“It is my hope that other communities and groups are inspired by this award and that it is adopted on a national scale, linking up allotments into a wider network. I see the award as a way of promoting allotments as safe havens for our wildlife and allotment gardeners as an ever-growing section of society across the UK who really care about wildlife”.
Devon Wildlife Trust has already seen fantastic examples of allotments hosting a range of wildlife, including those nurtured by staff within the charity. Russell Luscombe, one of Devon Wildlife Trust’s Fundraising Officers, has planted wildflower borders which have burst with colour this summer, attracting insects and birds to his allotment in Exeter.
This award also highlights The Wildlife Trust’s Action for Insects campaign, a nationwide effort to reverse the massive insect declines by encouraging people to create more nature-rich places and make cities, towns and parishes pesticide-free.
The allotment award is open to anyone with an allotment in Devon and provides a range of ideas and resources for helping wildlife. To find out more, go to the Devon Wildlife Trust website: https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wildlife-awareness-allotment-award
Ends
(1) Devon Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading environmental charity, with more than 35,000 members. The charity manages 52 nature reserves and six Valley Parks across Devon, including a range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths as well as caring for the marine environment around our coasts. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £ 4 million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations.
More at www.devonwildlifetrust.org
(2) https://nbn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/State-of-Nature-2019-UK-full-report.pdf
(3) National Allotment Society is the leading national organisation upholding the interests and rights of the allotment community across the UK. The society works with government at national and local levels, other organisations and landlords to provide, promote and preserve allotments for all.
more at natsoc@nsalg.org.uk
