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'In Bloom' - Newsletter - October 2007

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

Writing this final newsletter of 2007 has caused me to reflect on the past years achievements and prompted the realisation that it is now nearly a decade since I first started writing them and the village started to compete in 'Yorkshire in Bloom'. However, like the Bloom group, the format has changed but the message hasn't really and is still based on the environment, sustainability and community. Looking back to our first entry we came a very respectable fifth. Since then we have gone on to win our section, won silver in Britain in Bloom and this year were awarded a gold medal in Yorkshire in Bloom. Along with other awards such as for the "Nellie" and the Cenotaph, our campaign has, over the years, been very successful.

However, the fact that Luddenden is a great place to live is not down to entering competitions but to the efforts of villagers with support from the Bloom group. This is by far the most important thing so keep up the good work and enjoy your garden.

The Bloom group carry out seasonal planting twice a year, in the Autumn and again in the Spring. This involves replacing bulbs or bedding plants in 15 boxes, 2 lamp post planters, 26 mangers, 2 hanging baskets, a wheelbarrow, the car park trough and the bedstead planters. The village won a special category this year for 'Spring Colour' so we are again planting up the above with white and deep pink tulips that were so successful last year - but with a slight change. Instead of small daffodils we are intending to underplant in the Spring with pale blue pansies.

We also look after the Car Park, the small Winifred Rose garden at the entrance to the bridle-path, Brigitte's Garden, Methodist Chapel garden, the perennial border below the Rope Drum and the garden in front of the Sub-station.

The cost of bulbs, summer bedding plants, replacement and new perennials and shrubs, seeds, compost and plant food for 2006-7 was just over £1450 - so any contributions, however small, will be most welcome to enable us to keep the village 'Blooming'. If you would like to support this appeal please send contributions to Trevor Oaten at 62 High Street (cheques should be made payable to Luddenden Conservation Society). Thankyou.

Those of you who use the playground may have noticed that the grass bank at the back has recently been fouled by dogs. This was unfortunately brought to our attention by visitors to the village using our website. Sadly their visit to Luddenden to enjoy the improved playground and to picnic on the grass bank was ruined by the actions of irresponsible dog owner(s). We have reported the incident to the Dog Warden who is investigating the matter.

Jobs to do this month

Leaf litter is a natural resource and makes a great mulch. So stuff a black bin bag full of leaves, damp them down if need be, tie it up and make a few holes in it and place it somewhere out of the way such as the rear of the shed. By this time next year it should have rotted down ready for use in the garden.

If you still haven't bought any bulbs for spring then there are plenty about in garden centres and supermarkets. Although winter flowering pansies make a great display they can't tolerate too much rain and frost. So if you want them for spring colour it is probably better to leave buying them till next year. Primulas and polyanthus, on the other hand, are somewhat more robust so planting them this autumn should provide a great show. For extra spring colour try planting wallflowers and forget-me-knots amongst your bulbs.

Bonfire Night is nearly with us again. Just a reminder to ensure that you know to only burn garden waste and wood and not items that will contaminate the soil. Remember to check your pile for any unsuspecting creature that might have taken up residence such as hedgehogs before setting light to it and keep pets and children safe.

Recipe of the month

The Christmas Wreath (Of course you can't eat this but it's fun to do).

Ingredients

1 Circular metal frame or several wire coat hangers bent into shape or an old large lampshade metal frame. Moss -either purchased or raked/scarified from your lawn. Florist wire

Assorted greenery and berries from the garden or hedgerow such as holly berries, rose hips, viburnum berries, ivy, evergreen leaves and any bits you trim off your real Christmas tree when you buy it. For extra colour use some fresh chillies and some seasonal flowers.

Take your frame and pack the whole area with the moss or grass and then wrap some florist wire around the whole ring to keep it in place. Next, build up the foliage covering by inserting it carefully under the wire and through the moss layer ensuring that everything is kept flush. With the ring covered decorate with the berries and chillies. Holly can be pushed through the moss and wire layer whilst chillies and other decorations can be wired together and then inserted through the wreath. Finally attach string or wire to the back of the ring and hang on your front door.

The next newsletter will be in March 2008 so, from the Bloom group, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.