The weather has been a little kinder this month, though the cooler temperatures mean the ground is getting harder to work. Edwinstowe in Bloom volunteers have spent the past few weeks tidying up the flower beds and preparing the allotment with winter crops. A great haul was collected for the food hub, including apples, potatoes, kale, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, cabbage, beetroot, celery, squash and some dahlias. There was also a bumper crop of tomatoes, although they were no longer ripening – perhaps perfect for anyone who fancies making green tomato chutney!
Deliveries to the food hub will now reduce as the growing season slows, but volunteers will continue to donate what they can. Last month, the group announced plans for a commemorative bench in memory of Linda. The finished bespoke bench, beautifully crafted by Soren Iospescu, was unveiled at Linda’s Meadow on Saturday 18th October at 10.30am, attended by volunteers and supporters. This year’s plan for the village verges is to plant white and pink tulips – chosen because they were the suffragettes’ tulips – continuing the Inspirational Women theme. Donations of 5-litre or larger pots would be gratefully received and can be dropped off at the allotment.
The group also hopes to bring more colour to the churchyard later in the year by planting additional crocuses and hardy perennials. If you are lifting and dividing plants such as lupins, asters, marigolds, montbretia, crocosmia, foxgloves, evening primrose, forget-me-nots, geraniums, erigeron, campanulas, verbena or hollyhocks – or collecting their seeds – please consider donating some to help with the project. The 2025 Scarecrow Competition took place from Saturday 18th to Sunday 26th October, with a fantastic response and scarecrows appearing all over the village. This year’s theme was Inspirational Women. The Scouts created an impressive scarecrow, accompanied by a video presentation about the life of Margaret Woodhead.
The winners were as follows:
- Adult Community Group: Major Oak Pop Choir
- Junior Community Group: Edwinstowe Scouts
- Schools Category: St Mary’s C of E Primary
- Shop Front: The Village Xchange
- Most Lookalike: The Brownies and Rainbows
Unfortunately, three scarecrows were tampered with during the event. The Brown Owl scarecrow was damaged after having a shoe removed and the supporting rod pulled from its back, while another had its shoes changed, and the Ethel Wainwright scarecrow was taken entirely. This is the first time such incidents have occurred, and anyone with information is asked to get in touch.
In the Photography Competition, the October winners will provide the final image for the 2026 calendar, to be included in the next update. Entries are now open for the November 2025 competition, which will select the first photograph for the 2027 calendar.
If you have taken a photo of anything connected with Edwinstowe – not just flowers or landscapes, but also local events, animals or scenes that capture the spirit of the area – you are encouraged to enter. The competition is open to amateur photographers aged 16 and over. Please send entries in .jpg format, including a title and the location of the photograph, by midnight on the last day of the month to eib@btinternet.com. For more information about Edwinstowe in Bloom, find the group on Facebook.