Sponsored by APC Clothing LtdGardener: Val Hall

welcomes the judgesOF

Yorkshire in bloom

SPRING 2013

WELCOME TO BRAMHAM

A Brief History of the VillageThe history of Bramham goes back to Roman Times when it was important because ofits location on the junction of the main north/south east/west trading routes. This wasthe junction of the Great North Road and a lesser known route from York to Ilkley.

Its importance as a major stopping place on The Great North Road continued well intothe 1800's but the surrounding area was very different to what we see today. It wasdescribed as a wild and desolate place, the haunt of footpads and highwaymen.

Battles during the Wars of the Roses and the Civil War were fought in the area andcasualties were buried in the cemetery of All Saints' Church, the oldest building in theVillage.

In more recent times Bramham may be recognised Nationally by two major eventstaking place in Bramham Park, The Bramham Horse Trials and The Leeds Carling RockFestival.

Why do we enter Yorkshire in Bloom?Initially we wondered ourselves!! But the response from the village answered thequestion for us. Not only were the residents supportive but they were also quiteexcited about being part of Yorkshire in Bloom.

So here we are saying welcome to our Village.

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CONTENTS

The origins of Bramham in Bloom

What we have done so far

What was achieved last year

Route Map

Major Projects

Overall achievements since 2005

Our Sponsors

Future Plans

Press Cuttings

Yorkshire in Bloom asked us to cover in our brochure thevarious categories in their guidelines and this we have tried todo. We think that we have covered everything required, butjust in case! At the back we have included a revue inaccordance with the specific guidelines given by Yorkshire inBloom.

Hopefully this will be a quick and easy reference if you feelthat something has not been included in the main body of thebrochure or on route.

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How we came into beingWe were formed in April 2005 to look into all thingsto do with the environment of the Village as raisedby the residents as part of the Parish Plan. TheParish Plan in effect created a catalyst for many newprojects within the community and hopefully this willgive a new lease of life to our historic Village.

Who are weWe are a Committee of four but co-op othermembers as required. There are approximately 25gardeners and helpers.

Chairman … Ernest NicholsSecretary … Gill YoungTreasurer … Meryl NicholsCommittee Member … Martin Batt

How we operateWe recognise that we all have lives outside Bramhamin Bloom and meetings of all those involved are keptto a minimum, usually twice a year and regular contactis maintained by email, phone or notes. TheCommittee meet and communicate regularly.

Gardeners, usually two, take responsibility for aparticular bed or display and deal with all aspects ofplanting and maintenance, sometimes with additionalsupport. The Committee are responsible for planningthe beds, ordering plants, providing overall supportfor any problems arising such as cover for holidaysetc. They are also responsible for most grasscutting, strimming of the bed edges and pest control.

What the Village wantedAlthough requests were made for more flowers,trees and bulbs by the majority of villagers, therewere also many other environmental issues raised, forinstance requests to renovate The Square andsurrounding area and produce a book of walks roundBramham. Because of this, whilst we haveconcentrated on the floral side of things we have alsoborne in mind other general improvements as andwhen we have seen a problem, as shown further onpage 22.

Outside helpWe have had tremendous help from Leeds CityCouncil "Floral Initiative" and would have flounderedwithout their support and advice. We still consultregularly when we have problems or are planning anew project.

What are we aboutOur aim or in modern parlance "Mission Statement" isto:- Raise the Villagers awareness of theenvironment in which they live and encourage themto participate in various projects to improve it"We are also committed to including children andyoung people in these projects whenever possible.

Communications with theVillage

We use the monthly Parish Magazine as our mainform of communication and have an article everymonth explaining what we are doing and what ourfuture projects might be. We also use it toencourage residents to come and join us. The ParishCouncil Notice Board and the Village Stores are alsoused.

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THE ORIGINS OF BRAMHAM IN BLOOM

January 2013Issue 120

All Saints’ ChurchBramham Parish News

WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR Opened eighteen flower beds and two shrub beds. Acquired and planted four stone troughs at the Church. Provided and planted seven hay racks. Introduced eight new planters to the War Memorial. Provided four planters outside the Garage. Provided part of the funding for a “Bio Pond” at the Primary School. Landscaped an area where a wall had collapsed. Opened a Wildlife Area. Renovated an ancient Cattle Ramp and surrounding area. Secured grants of over £10,000. Obtained sponsorship of around £1600 per annum.

What else have we done:- Held a children's Treasure Hunt linked to Bramham in Bloom.

Gave a talk on Bramham in Bloom and the Environment to the Village Schooland to the Bramham Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association.

Planted some 25,000 bulbs, daffodils, bluebells, snowdrops, crocuses, tulipsand narcissi.

Organise an annual poster competition at the Primary School and in the Villagein support of our entry. Leeds Floral Initiative provided excellent prizes.

* Have a stall at the Bramham Gala selling plants and promoting our activities.

Assisted the organisers of the Gala by doing some strimming at the entranceto the field.

See also Page 22

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REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR

Floral Activities

Our aim was and still is to enhance the Village with suitable floral displays and deal withenvironmental issues as they arise. Naturally this requires attention all year.

We feel, and from discussions with the residents, they also feel that the number andtype of floral displays is about right. This was what we intended as there was a genuinefeeling that whatever we did should not alter the character of the Village. Planting andexpansion for their own sake does not fit in with a village of this size and character.

There is, therefore, very little change over the last year although we have continued tobe active in the Village.

Obtained daffodil bulbs for Bramham Sports and Leisure to plant near the new Pavillion.

School Yorkshire in Bloom Poster Competition

With Richard Gill,Leeds Floral Initiative

With Ernest NicholsBramham in Bloom

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THE JUDGE'S ROUTE

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OVERALL ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE 2005

MAJOR PROJECTS

The Cattle RampThis area was badly neglected but has a significant historic value as it leads down fromthe road that was the original “Great North Road”. There was another ramp in the Villagebut sadly it has gone. The project was funded from several sources.

The Wildlife AreaThe whole idea was to open up the area and change it as little as possible and hopefullywe have achieved this.

Paths and benches (of a rustic type) were put in together with bird and bat boxes. Areasof trimmed branches etc were left as natural habitats.

The bark for the path (which generally gets washed away every winter!) was supplied by alocal tradesman free of charge.

The project was financed by the National Lottery.

UPGRADED BOTTLE BANKNot only was this unsightly but other rubbish was left and rats had been seen in the areawhich is close to the Primary School. A grant was obtained from East North East Man-agement team and the work carried out by Leeds City Council.

Major Overall Achievements since 2005 -continued

CATTLE RAMP

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Major Overall Achievements since 2005 -continuedWILDLIFE PRESERVATION AREA

JOINT UNDERTAKING WITH THE PARISH COUNCILAND LEEDS CITY COUNCIL

OVERALL ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE 2005

SPRING IN BRAMHAM

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CLIFFORD ROAD ENTRANCE TO THE VILLAGE

Lyndon Road

Gardener:Keith Howland

Sponsored by:-Bramham Running Club

Gardener:Jeremy Kendall

supported by Jean Dale

Sponsored by:-Wetherby Lions`

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ALL SAINTS' CHURCH

Four Troughs Sponsored by:-All Saints’ Church, The Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association.

The Monday Club and The Swan Inn.

Gardeners:Mavis and Victor Wilson 13

In 2011 All Saints’ Churchreceived a specialConservation Award fromYorkshire in Bloom inacknowledgement of thework they do in theChurchyard in relation toconservation of bothflora and fauna.

ELECTRIC SUB STATION

Sponsored by:- The Wetherby Lions

Gardeners: Ernest and Meryl Nichols14

BRAMHAM MEDICAL CENTRE

Sponsored by:- Bramham Medical Centre

Gardener: Lynda Goddard15

BRAMHAM GARAGE

Sponsored by:- Mrs Dorothy Clegg

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Gardeners:Yvonne Gibson and Valerie Soper

Supported by Hazel and David Scott

MILNTHORPE CLOSE

WETHERBY ROAD ENTRANCE

Gardeners: Sharon Wilson and FamilyWendy Watts and Family

Supported by Alex Skinner and Simon Kelly

Gardeners: Iris and Paul Smith

Sponsored by Blacks Solicitors

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Sponsored by:- Edmunds ElectricalBrooke Babes and Thomlinsons Estate Agents.

Sponsored by:-Jones Electrical

GardenersAlison StJohn and family and Iris and Paul Smith

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WETHERBY ROAD CORNER

BOWCLIFFE CORNER

Sponsored by:

SilverwoodPlumbing Ltd

The Bayford Group,And The Dog Walker

Gardeners:Vicky and Keith Innocent,

Jo Ogden and family

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THE SQUARE

The return of theVillage Pump

Donated byPeggy Kitchen and

Dorothy Clegg

In memory of their husbands

Gardener: Peggy Kitchen

Gardeners:Val Hall

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Sponsored by APC Clothing Ltd

Sponsored byThe Parish Council

Gardeners: Ernest & Meryl Nichols

Sponsored by:Residents of Carr Beck Close

Gardeners:Lynne & Paul Marshall

Sponsored by: Village StoresGardener: Valerie Soper

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Sponsored by:Bramham GarageGardeners:Catherine Jones

Supported by Joan Haslam

BRIDGE AREA

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Post Box Lyndon Road

Headley Lane Sign

YEDL Gates

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COMMUNITY GARDEN

The possibility of a Community Garden was first raised byBramham in Bloom four years ago. And at last with co-operationfrom the Community Action Group, Leeds City Council, our ownParish Council and various grants it has now become a reality. Itwill provide a very pleasant area to relax in for many years tocome.

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OUR SUPPORTERS

Bramham in Bloom SponsorsWe and the Village as a whole are very grateful to our sponsors who together contributearound £1600 each year to support our floral displays.

Without their financial support very little of what we see today would have beenpossible.

Other FundingWe have also been helped by financial support for specific capital expenditure and againwithout this we would not have progressed to the stage that we are at now:-

Bramham Parish CouncilLeeds City Council "Floral Initiative".Leeds City Council "Leeds North East Area Management Team"National LotteryBramham Community FundDonations and a Coffee MorningDonations in a collection jar in the Village Stores “Friends of Bramham in Bloom

The Gardeners and SupportersWe have a dedicated band of gardeners plus supporters who deal with our day to daybusiness. Forever cheerful, except when plants get stolen from the beds!!, they havemade a real impact on the appearance of the Village in a relatively short space of time.Without them none of this would have been possible.

Bramham Primary SchoolThe children at the school are a very enthusiastic group, they have their own Bramhamin Bloom bed as well as many of their own projects. An amazing number of 36 childrentook part in the poster competition. (See Page 31 for an example)

All Saints’ ChurchFollows the guidelines of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

FUTURE PLANSThe general feeling is that the development within the Village is about right. There wasnever any intention of changing the nature of the Village, only enhancing it and the focuswill now be on developing and improving the displays that have been established.

There will still be some changes:-

A continuing programme of bulb planting.

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BRAMHAM IN BLOOM GARDENERSAT WORK

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PRESS CUTTINGS

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YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM GUIDELINESFOR BROCHURE CONTENT

A1 & A2 - Horticultural achievement and Practice1) The Committee decide on the design, colour scheme and location of any new beds.2) Deciding on the number of plants was initially difficult but with experience this has

now been refined and there are few problems.3) Shrubs have been introduced into the various beds as appropriate to enhance the

annual planting and for sustainability.4) Two specific shrub beds have been planted and the ramp bed incorporates various

shrubs for flower, foliage and bark effects.5) The real focal point because of its closeness to the centre of the village, the bus

stop, and one of the Pubs is the Cattle Ramp and Beck bed, This area never fails toattract comments from visitors and the local residents.

6) Watering, dead heading, weeding, and feeding of the hayracks and planters is downto the individual gardeners and we have a dedicated bunch!! Pruning and pestcontrol is undertaken by the Committee. Where possible the Beck is used as asource of water.

7) No fertilisers are used on the beds - only organic manure.8) All plants are obtained from Leeds City Council Red Hall because of the quality and

their delivery system.

A3 - Residential and Community Gardening

1) Church has a specific policy for maintaining the Church Yard under guidance fromthe Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

2) The Old People’s Garden is the responsibility of the Parish Council.

3) Since our entry into Yorkshire in Bloom it has been noticeable that hayracks andhanging baskets have started to appear in the Village.

4) The school has a flower bed to offer support and we have provided bulbs forplanting. The school in general is very focused on all aspect of the environment.

5) Two residents have offered their gardens to be visited by the Judges.

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YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM GUIDELINES FOR BROCHURECONTENT - continued

A4 - Business Areas and Premises

1) The majority of sponsors are from the Village.

2) The garage is a sponsor and also supplies water and help from an employee to waterthe containers

3) The Village Stores sponsors Bramham in Bloom, has a collection jar on the counterand acts as a post box for us within the Village.

3) The Red Lion Pub, although not a sponsor, do their own thing every year to goodeffect from the point of view of enhancing the Square. They have also taken onresponsibility for watering the War Memorial in Summer which is a significanttask.

A5 Green Spaces

1) Leeds City Council carry out regular grass cutting2) We enhance the cutting round the beds3) Two residents on their own initiative cut, weed and feed two large verges to lawn

standard.4) Beech Trees have been planted on an entrance road to the Village. (In the past all

the roads into the Village were lined with Beech Trees).5) Created a Wildlife Preservation Area.6) 25,000 various bulbs have been planted. Daffodils, Crocuses, Snowdrops and English

bluebells.

B1 - Conservation and Biodiversity1) Wildlife Area2) Provided some funding for a Biodiverse pond at the Primary School3) The Churches Environmental project4) Beech Trees planted.

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YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM GUIDELINESFOR BROCHURE CONTENT - continued

B2 - Resource Management1) The Bottle Bank.2) All perennial plants used in the beds (mainly autumn planting) are offered to the

residents before replanting. Plants have also been given to the local Golf Club andBowling Club.

3) We do not have the manpower to do our own composting and compost is passed tothe Allotments. Annual plants are taken to the local recycling plant.

B3 - Local Heritage1) Cattle ramp.2) A Parish Council project was a commemorative plaque to commemorate the 600th

year of the Battle of Bramham Moor.3) Produced a book of walks round Bramham which includes some history of the Village

and surrounding area.

B4 - Local Environment Quality1) Number of regular litter pickers, who do this as part of a walk.2) Vigorous campaign in the Parish Magazine with regard to litter and dog fouling. This

coupled with the Yorkshire in Bloom entry has had a noticeable effect.3) Silt regularly dug out of the Beck.

B5 - Pride of Place1) Had a dilapidated fence replaced.2) New Post box.3) New Road sign.4) Refurbished a bench.5) Created a flower bed where a wall had collapsed.

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YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM GUIDELINESFOR BROCHURE CONTENT - continued

C1 - Development and Continuity1) Sound management structure with a commitment to innovation but bearing in mind

not to over-develop and change the nature of the Village.2) Committed Volunteers.

C2 - Communication and Education1) Regular monthly communication via the Parish Magazine.2) Press coverage.3) Close liaison with the Primary School.4) Some beds looked after by families.5) Stall at the Village Gala to promote activities.

C3 - Community Involvement1) All residents actively encouraged to join us.

C4 - Year-round Involvement1) Monthly Communication2) Gala Stall.3) School and Village children’s Poster Competition.4) Year round gardening.5) Press coverage as necessary.

C5 - Funding and Support

1) Virtually all day-to-day expenditure covered by sponsorship. There was a deliberatepolicy not to fund-raise in a very active way as it is a small Village with fund raisingalready in place for many worthy causes.

2) Capital items through grants from Leeds City Council or The National Lottery.

3) Collection Jar in Village Stores.

4) The Parish Council gives support if we cannot get funding from other sources.

5) There is a Community Fund provided by the organisers of the Leeds Festival, whichwe can call upon if necessary.

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