Since coming to Pickering over thirty years ago I have seen a remarkable growth in peoples' awareness of their environment. Pickering, like everywhere else, was still struggling to overcome the disruption caused by World War 11. Being a mainly agricultural town, its workers had suffered increasing unemployment due to the invention of new agricultural equipment. School leavers had sought employment elsewhere or joined the forces rather than life on the dole. The town had a general air of shabbiness but this strong Yorkshire community remained resolutely determined and united.

          As new businesses were established with a resultant hope of more employment, life began to improve.

          For several consecutive years one well known resident on Potter Hill had bought and planted a load of daffodil and crocus bulbs in the grass verge, resulting in the wonderful display. A lady resident, living opposite a neglected traffic control island on Potter Hill, diligently weeded, dug and planted it with colourful plants. She was soon joined by another nearby resident and they continued to maintain it until it was changed. A local forester, noticing the damaged saplings around bought new ones and personally planted and cared for them, also planting others in suitable places. He regularly  engaged teams of Lady Lumley’s senior  students to clear litter. I wonder if E.U. regulations stopped that enterprise?

          The town council then seemed to be giving extra care to the various public plots around the town e.g. the Smiddy Hill area. One citizen, with the aid of the Woodland Trust, created a woodland and wildlife habitat in part of his large garden whilst another of his neighbours bought a grassy bank opposite his house and planted it with Spring bulbs for all to enjoy.

          Many others followed their examples. I regularly passed an overgrown piece of land by the side of the URC church. In 2004 I saw a lady weeding and tidying it Some days later the unwieldy shrubs had been cut back, some removed and the ground dug. Soon that original lady was busy planting colourful plants in the foreground. I asked her how all this had been achieved. "By asking a few friends to help" she said. Thus the Pickering in Bloom volunteer team was formed.

          Next came a competition for the best kept private garden and it became a pleasure to take the town bus on its circular route to enjoy these. Nowadays most businesses and many dwellings have colourful hanging baskets and window boxes. The much improved river walk is something to be proud of. That it is appreciated is proved by the fact that the seats are rarely empty.

          For all these things, and others not mentioned which have brought us so much pleasure, we owe a huge vote of thanks to the great band of volunteers and our local council.

          In a future article I hope to write about the improved buildings and the various societies I have seen formed and are still thriving because of the drive and enthusiasm of one or more individuals.

          Volunteers grow old and some have died so there is a continuing need for more.  We hope that others will respond to the challenge to keep Pickering a town and community of which we can be proud.

Many hands make light work.

Wyn Moore, Ryewriters.