KIPPAX IN BLOOM

As I write, a new decade has dawned. Just as in the last decade, KIB volunteers are continuing their efforts, working with the whole community, to improve our environment in a sustainable way year on year, while at the same time bringing colour to our village through lots of plants.

Our volunteers have been kept very busy over winter. We've planted more bulbs, pansies and polyanthus, which will be looking lovely by the time you all are reading this. We've continued with the usual maintenance: we've pruned, dug over, spread compost, weeded and litter-picked. We've split some of our larger perennials and replanted them in the Churchyard. We have ordered our summer bedding plants to start planting at the end of May (who says there is no forward planning!) for all of our residents and visitors to enjoy, which will also mean that there will be a wonderful display throughout the village for the Yorkshire in Bloom judging in early July. Hopefully, the judges will be just as impressed as last year.

And it is not just about horticulture! We continue to work closely with lots of local groups, our schools and the teenagers doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, hopefully emphasising to the young the importance of the work we do to improve our community and sustainability. We are also now working with the recently formed High Street Team so look out for more planters for summer.

As you know our volunteers are a group of amazing people. Andy Wilcock one of these amazing people had set himself a very ambitious target to trek to the base camp of Mount Everest. He did just that over this Xmas spending 7 days to reach base camp and 4 days to come down. So, while we were all eating our Xmas dinner he was climbing! What an amazing achievement. Well done. The charities that he is supporting are our Prince of Wales Hospice and the Gurkha Welfare Trust Donate at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Andy.Wilcock.

Please remember that we are part of the Co-op Community fund this year and register at https://membership.coop.co.uk/new-registration to choose us as your local good cause.

We continue to be grateful for the support of Kippax Parish Council, our LCC Ward Councillors, The Arium, LCC Parks and Countryside Department, their Locality Team and Marie and Jonny at Woodend Nurseries, without whom our efforts would be greatly diminished.

We have a fantastic bunch of volunteers who do a marvellous job but we would love to welcome more new members. We could do more to continue improving where we live with your help, however small a contribution you could make. Please call in to Pat's Sweets on the High Street or contact her at psamykib@aol.com. Our Website is www.kippaxinbloom.com.

.