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'In Bloom' - Newsletter - March 2007

March 2007
THE PENNINE VILLAGE OF LUDDENDEN
Silver Medal - Britain in Bloom 2005

First of all please accept our apologies for the absence of a newsletter last month. This was due to a technical problem, which hopefully has been re-solved.

The main item of news this month is that we have been advised that Spring judging will take place on Tuesday 10th April at 10am. So now that we know the date can we ask all villagers to do their utmost by way of putting spring plants out, keeping house frontages and paths clear of litter and weeds and also when walking round the village to pick up any debris that they find.

What’s been happening around the village

The in Bloom team held a work party at the end on January to sweep away the remains of last years leaf fall from public areas. Unfortunately Calderdale road sweepers were late in coming round the village to collect the heaps of composting leaf mulch so apologises to everyone for the mess. This has now been collected and the village is starting to take shape for the spring. A litter pick took place in the car park and anyone who bought the Hebden Bridge Times will hopefully have seen the article.

Whilst on about mess can we again remind dog owners to clean up after their pets. Several areas mainly around the church and river bridle path are once again been used as dog latrines. We can only repeat what we have said before about how it spoils the village for everyone and the dangers it poses for the children. Remember, if the dog warden catches you and your pet it will be you who is prosecuted. Another mess related issue that has also been raised is cigarette butts. We are not here to condemn or discuss the health implications of smoking but would like to share the following facts with you. “ It is estimated that several trillion-cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year. That's billions of cigarettes flicked, one at a time, on our pavements, beaches, nature trails, gardens, and other public places every single day. In fact, cigarettes are the most littered item in the world. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate tow, NOT COTTON, and they can take decades to degrade. Not only does cigarette litter ruin even the most picturesque setting, but the toxic residue in cigarette filters is damaging to the environment. ” "It is estimated that 40% of the litter in any Borough is smoking related, be it wrappers, cartons or cigarette ends." -- [Gedling Borough Council, England] "[Cigarette butts] also present a threat to wildlife. Cigarette filters have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales and other marine creatures who mistake them for food ... Composed of cellulose acetate, a form of plastic, cigarette butts can persist in the environment as long as other forms of plastic." Clean Virginia Waterways "Considerate smokers don't litter. Those who do deserve criticism as much as any other litterer." - SmokingSection.Com (Militant Smoker's Rights Group). Enough of the lecture but can we ask that everyone picks up any litter that they see around the village.

As we have seen this last week or so winter is still very much about. That said if you dress up warmly and get outside you can clear away those final remains of last year. It is also a good time to take stock and move shrubs growing in the wrong places or split and divide congested clumps of perennials. Having said that make sure the soil is not frozen or waterlogged first. If you have pots or tubs of winter flowering pansies now is the time to give them a feed and pick off fading blooms, seed heads and yellowing foliage to encourage more spring flowering. Summer flowering clematis should be pruned to just above the lowest bud and hydrangeas above the strongest shoot. Buddleia, elder, honeysuckle, lilac, dogwood and hardy fuchsias should also be given a trim this month. Finish winter pruning your fruit trees and soft fruit bushes such as raspberries. It is also the final chance to plant bare rooted fruit stock before spring wakes them up. Once you have done that give them a feed of sulphate of potash to encourage a good crop. If you didn’t plant sweet peas in autumn you can still get them off to a good start by potting seed up placing them on a sunny windowsill. Vegetables seeds such as brussel sprouts, spring cabbage, cauliflower, onions, leeks, tomatoes, beans and some salad leaves can be sown providing they are under cover in greenhouses or cold frames. Out doors if you use a cloche to warm up the soil, broad beans, car- rots, hardy peas, parsnips and lettuce can be sown. Another job that does have to be done it at this time is to treat your fences and timber structures with preservative. This is something all the family can do providing you follow the manufactures instructions and take the necessary precautions.

Dates for the diary

Spring Judging – Tuesday 10th April 2007

Plant sale – Vegetables, herbs and perennial plants - Saturday 5th May 2007

BBQ at the Lord Nelson – Saturday 26th May 2007

Plant sale– Herbs, summer bedding and perennials - Saturday 2nd June 2007

Secret Gardens – Saturday 7th July 2007

Bird Life

A lot of our native birds are proclaiming their breeding territories now that the days are longer, so listen out for the dawn chorus. The song thrush is one bird you may hear but is now becoming rare. A tip to encourage them and help numbers increase is not to use chemical warfare on slugs and snail as these gardeners ’ enemies form the bulk of thrush’s diet. To help all bird life, continue to keep feeders well stocked. Look out this month for queen bumblebees, red admiral butterflies, and frogs.

Don’t forget, if you see the ‘ bloomers ’ out and about lend a hand, it all helps. Good luck to you all for the 10th April