Feverish activity around the town by our volunteers could not be missed as we all changed our tubs and gardens from the delicate mauves, yellows, blues and whites of Spring to the hot vibrant colours of the Mediterranean ready for the Summer judging of “Yorkshire in Bloom”. Obviously we hope to improve upon our silver medal of 2006, but know that we have a lot of work still to do. As part of the Pride in Pickering Campaign we are very pleased to learn that the Scouts are to paint the barriers at the bottom of Kirkham Lane.   Barclays Bank have kindly provided funds for barrier mangers and their contents and their local branch staff have volunteered to plant out and maintain these, which is a great help to us. The Town Council have also funded two mangers, which together with their planned re-vamp of the roundabout garden this Autumn will greatly improve the eastern end of the town.

          Altogether PIB now has twenty members who between them cover all aspects of looking after the town’s gardens and tubs – be it actual gardening, maintenance, expert knowledge, administration – you name it, we

cover it. As always though, we still need more volunteers and urge anyone who is interested to see Janet at The Design Corner (top of the Market Place – Tel. 475354) or ring me on 477799.  

          We were more than pleased to learn that the problem of litter in the town is to be addressed – our volunteers who tend the tubs constantly find a variety of cans, bottles, beer glasses etc. nestling amongst the flowers and we all pick up discarded litter when out and about.  

          Now that judging our work is over, we can all relax and do what we do best and that is to keep Pickering well and truly “in bloom” and thank everyone once again for their appreciative remarks. Did I say “relax”?  Did I hear someone say that we have to plan our Spring planting scheme now ??!!!

 Eileen  Blakeley.