Village blooms for contest

From the archive, first published Friday 6th Apr 2007.

Blooming Baildon is about to be judged for the first time in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Residents are putting the finishing touches to the village ahead of a visit by judges on Thursday.

Baildon will be up against competition from another 101 communities from across Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire for the coveted title.

Ron Bairstowe, of the Baildon In Bloom committee, said: "Bradford Council has certainly done Baildon proud this year as the village centre has never looked so beautiful. The flower beds and planters are ablaze with colour.

"The daffodils at the entrance to the village, which were planted by members of the Baildon In Bloom committee, have made a wonderful display.

"The committee is grateful for all the co-operation we have received, including a generous donation from the Baildon carnival committee."

As judgement day nears, the committee is urging villagers to join in.

"The judges are not only looking for attractive floral displays," said Mr Bairstowe. "They will also be looking at the general tidiness of the village.

"Householders on the route are requested to ensure there is no litter about and that hedges are trimmed."

The competition's judges will set off from the Ian Clough car park and spend two hours touring sites including St John's church, the Hallcliffe community garden, the Bedlam garden, a secret apple tree orchard and Bracken Hall Countryside centre.

Judges will return to make their final decision in July and it is hoped schoolchildren will help with the final effort.

Mr Bairstowe said villagers were encouraged to join the annual competition for the first time to help spruce up neglected areas.

"Baildon has quite a lot of neglected areas," he said.

"We felt that by putting Baildon into the competition we would get co-operation and get rid of a lot of neglected areas."

The committee has transformed a derelict piece of land into a village oasis by planting 23 trees to create the Bedlam garden, near Browgate.

This year is the first time since 1996 that entries for the competition have exceeded 100 and the awards will be hosted by Hull City Council in September.

Yorkshire In Bloom has also benefited from a grant from Yorkshire Forward.