Category 2D Town
Pudsey Silver Rose Award
Spring: Silver Rose Award Summer: Silver Rose Award
Introduction (introductory remarks from the judges):
The determination and fighting spirit of the Pudsey in Bloom group is clearly evident through the town, the newly sponsored hanging baskets and barrier baskets have had a positive impact on the town. We were escorted around by a great team of enthusiastic volunteers who have the right sort of get up and go to help continually improve the town for years to come; showing that with a little determination lots can be achieved. The additional volunteers to the group and the work done to secure business support as well as good floral displays throughout the town make Pudsey a worthy entry into the competition.
SECTION A – Horticultural Achievement
Areas of Achievement: The newly designed and planted garden at the Baptist Church was very pleasant, colourful and well maintained. The hanging baskets throughout the town were good and in particular the displays around the sports centre. The uniqueness of the hanging basket brackets were a great innovation showing the business and community sponsors and supporters names. Pudsey Park formal gardens and summer bedding displays are a credit to the gardening staff on site, it was also refreshing to see that the two gardeners on site had designed and planted their own bed in their own unique styles. The new additional wooden planters are a welcome splash of colour in the town centre as well as the barrier planters to the front of the funeral directors.
Areas for Improvement: Rose beds within Sparrow Park were looking sparse and in need of updating, look into prairie planting if future funding is available, or look into replacing the roses with more formal planting as has been done in Pudsey Park. In the Lowtown seating area once the new benches have been installed, and if future funding allows it would be nice to see the edges of the paths planted with lavender or fragrant plants which will complement the beautiful purple and blue hydrangeas currently surrounding the area.
SECTION B – Environmental Responsibility
Areas of Achievement: Artwork to the side of the sports centre depicting local history and heritage of Pudsey, and the unusually planted up tripe bath in front of the centre. Pudsey Park bandstand was surrounded beautifully with stunning hanging baskets. The judges were impressed with the Lowtown school wildlife gardens and ‘bug hotel’ made up of things found and given by the parents, teachers and children themselves.
Areas for Improvement: Management of weed throughout the town, especially on areas not in council ownership needs to be pursued, it may be an idea to engage with the businesses that have sponsored and supported the hanging baskets to take more of an active role in caring for their environment.
SECTION C – Community Participation
Areas of Achievement: The uniqueness of the hanging basket brackets were a great innovation showing the business and community sponsors and supporters names. Barrier planters outside the post office bought and displayed through sponsorship monies from local business. The judges were again impressed with Lowtown schools enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding of their environment. The progress made and changes seen throughout the school gardens and grounds have been astounding and a credit to the pupils themselves, the judges were impressed with the corn and barley garden area complete with their very own scarecrows. Public house and restaurant competition. It was great to see and meet the newest members of the ‘in bloom’ group and it is a credit to the established group through raising their own profile at events and fundraising they have secured the help of more volunteers. Good partnership working with the Pudsey Civic Society, Rotary Club and, Town Centre Management which is a good foundation and support network for the ‘in bloom’ group. Ongoing projects and press file showing year round involvement and commitments.
Areas for Improvement:
Now that the group has been successful in its pub and restaurant competition it might be worthwhile, if time and commitment permits to work with local schools with gardening in mind, maybe ‘a wildlife garden in a pot’ theme, building on the successful poster competition.
....And for anyone who is interested in viewing comments for all the entries in the competition, you can read these by visiting
http://www.yorkshireinbloom.co.uk/ and clicking on results on the left hand side of the page.
And also, remember the old benches that we replaced this year in our Lowtown seating area with the money we got from the the YPN community awards grants?.... well who would think that this was one of those benches? One of our members has revamped the old bench and we have now re-sited it on land near to Pudsey Parish Church, it looks like new!
More news later...................