Recent weather has not been very kind and the ground frozen, which makes gardening very difficult, but some brave Edwinstowe in Bloom volunteers have been clearing the thistles on the area selected for a wildflower meadow. All rubbish has been taken to the tip.
The group has been having planning meetings and there are a lot of exciting ideas for the new year. They will be applying for grants to cover the cost of items they want to buy to make life easier and to make the group self-sufficient.
They are looking at putting some four-tier self-watering planters round the village. They must decide how many, where to place them and then obtain permission. The group struggled through the summer to water all the new flower beds, so they would also like to get their own roadworthy water bowser.
Last year’s water shortages have prompted increased thoughts of self-sufficiency, so the group is considering putting large water butts in various locations to recycle rainwater. Continuing these ambitions, they would also like to have their own polytunnel and shed. This would enable them to propagate seeds and cuttings to grow their own plants to replenish any which have died over the winter and to supply any new beds.
So, if anyone knows of any land in the village which could be made available to site the polytunnel, shed and the bowser, plus some of the water butts, please contact Edwinstowe in Bloom.
Funding will also be required through the year to buy consumable items such as trays for planters and beds, polytunnel trays, seed trays, compost, seeds and bulbs – so sponsorship deals are also under consideration.
This year the group wants to add to the entries in the East Midlands in Bloom competition by looking for businesses or organisations that are proud of their gardens and want to take part. In addition, streets or areas in the village can take part in ‘It’s your Neighbourhood’ and people who have gardens which can be viewed from the road can enter the ‘Best Front Garden’. Contact the group if you want to put anywhere forward for these categories.
Edwinstowe in Bloom will continue to involve residents and volunteers in activities and will be advertising training sessions during the year, all of which will be free to attend but may have a small cost for materials. The first of these, starting in February, will be covering Wildflower Meadows: find out about wildflowers, how to create a wildflower meadow and how to maintain it.
This training is in conjunction with Feel Good Gardens and Ecologic and will have some classroom teaching plus practical work. There will also be two sessions designed exclusively for schools.
The bunting making was a great success last year so that will continue. In conjunction with Edwinstowe in Bloom, the RSPB will be running workshops on building bird boxes and bug houses out of pallets and spare materials, and making planters and other ornaments using pallets.
Another new initiative under consideration will be art classes and an Art Auction as a possible fundraising option.
The group is looking for more people to join Edwinstowe in Bloom. If you are interested in becoming a member for a nominal annual fee of £3.00, just taking part as a volunteer, or being involved in any of the training or workshop activities mentioned, contact the group on Facebook or email eib@byinternet.com.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/edwinstoweinbloom.