Gold medal winning community gardening group Beeston in Bloom celebrated its 20th birthday with a tea party in Cross Flatts Park yesterday (21 June 2017).
Members and partners past and present were joined by the Lord Mayor Cllr Jane Dowson in the Watsonian Pavilion to share memories and plan future projects. Amongst those present were White Rose Shopping Centre, Groundwork, St Mary’s church, Lane End Primary School’s gardening group, Instaplanta and the Councils Parks and Countryside service.
Volunteers from Beeston in Bloom maintain various public flower beds and planters around the area including the Millennium Garden and community orchard in Cross Flatts Park and the Derek Fatchett garden opposite Beeston Primary School. They also work with businesses and others in the area to encourage planting and environmental improvements. Last year they won double gold at the Yorkshire in Bloom awards and represented Yorkshire in the Britain in Bloom awards in 2007 winning a Silver Gilt award in the urban category.
Beeston in Bloom’s Chair Cllr Angela Gabriel recalled the inaugural meeting with just four people present including the Council and Groundwork. She thanked everyone present who had all helped in various ways over the years.
“Without all of you we would have achieved nothing, it would have been just talk, so thank you.” She said.
Cllr Dowson was particularly pleased to see the Lane End pupils. She commented:
“As a city we have big ambitions to be the best city and to be City of Culture 2023. Gardening is part of our culture as a city and its important that our residents are engaged and are instilling a love of gardening in young people.
“Volunteers don’t always get the thanks they deserve, so on behalf of the peoples of Beeston I’m saying thank you.”
Current members of the group presented Cllr Gabriel with a bouquet thanking her for 20 years of leadership and motivation.
Beeston in Bloom are always looking for new volunteers, with or without gardening skills, find out more on Facebook.