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Judging
Mark Wasilewski & Jim Knight from the RHS judged the village
in the national Britain in Bloom competition on Wednesday
12 August 2009.
They awarded the village a GOLD
- the first time Appleton Wiske has won gold at national
level. Their comments are summarised below:
“The colourful and welcoming entrances set the tone
for a most enjoyable tour of this very attractive and beautifully
presented village. Large areas of well-maintained green sward
or “village green” flanked the main street with
attractive areas of excellent sustainable planting to be found
alongside beautiful planted containers of real quality. All
of this serves to compliment the interesting houses and buildings,
some of which retained links to the past through their spinner’s
windows.
It was evident that the residents busied themselves in
a wide range of horticultural and conservation projects
and that participation and co-operation were key to their
success. The active community group is very proud of its
village’s history and appearance, and this is reflected
in the desire to retain its character while enhancing its
appearance."
Judges were particularly impressed by:
Horticultural Achievement
· The border at the entrance to the school was an excellent example of quality
sustainable planting whereby colour had been effectively introduced by
minimal seasonal planting.
· The entrances to the village had each been marked with a nameplate and
sensitively planted borders.
· The judges were pleased to note the tree planting schemes underway in
the village.
· Excellent management and presentation of grass verges and 'village green'.
· A high standard of display outside the village hall.
· The quality of the residential gardens witnessed throughout the village was
excellent with a high level of participation noted.
· A commitment towards a greater reliance on sustainable planting was
being consciously driven.
· The window boxes planted with herbs outside the village pub were novel but
a serious message in 'Grow Your Own'.
Environmental Responsibility
· Interaction with the Woodland Trust on tree planting schemes, and the community
working as partners of the Hambleton Bio-diversity partnership by planting the
Black Poplar and Oak on the village Recreation ground.
· The planting of 5 oak trees as part of the Carbon Reduction scheme.
· The wildflower area which had been established by the recreation ground.
· The refurbishment of all street furniture, signage, and
virtually every other artifact by members of the community.
· The village signs made of recycled plastic.
· The Living Churchyard and the adoption of mixed cutting regimes.
· The wildlife survey and recording work that has been conducted in the
churchyard.
· The measures taken to harness rain water by the installation of rain
butts at key points throughout the village.
Community Participation
· The excellent management and presentation of grass verges and 'village green'
achieved completely by volunteers.
· Proposed plan for the Riverside Walk.
· The success of the sponsorship programme for planters and baskets, especially
given the small size of the community, and the high level of sponsorship and
support in general.
· That one third of the community is actively involved in the Bloom
initiative, an excellent level of involvement.
· The community management the recreation ground.
· The writing of the Parish Plan.
· The good recycling policy and the ethos that anything which can be re-used
will be!
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