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This year, the Resident's Community Gardening Group at New Lodge decided to theme the Yorkshire in Bloom (YIB) entry around a hot Indian summer. The bedding and floral displays are bursting with plants and flowers in vibrant colours including red, orange, yellow and white. The colours used are also dementia friendly meaning everyone can enjoy the stunning displays.
All residents living within New Lodge have either a colourful display on their balcony or patio area, with additional floral and bedding displays in the communal gardens and areas surrounding the Folk Hall. These have given a colourful, unifying display throughout New Lodge.
Plants like nasturtium and marigold have been planted to encourage insects but can also be used in cooking. Veggie pods were also planted with variety of leafy vegetables, salads and herbs.
The New Earswick Residents Forum (NERF) and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) have kindly provided funding to purchase the plants, flowers, troughs and planters. Members of the New Lodge gardening group and colleagues from Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) planted over 800 flowers and plants.
The judges from Yorkshire in Bloom visited New Lodge on 13 July and the outcome of the judging and ceremony will be held in September.
Last year, the New Lodge gardening group were awarded 'Thriving' for the bedding and floral display within the community category.
Peter Sanderson, General Manager from New Lodge said “I am thrilled that we have been able to support the visions of our Resident's Gardening Group. The project has really brought our residents together and firmly placed New Lodge in the heart of the community of New Earswick.”
Other gardening projects within New Earswick
The New Lodge Community Garden Group (NLCGG) have made significant progress in developing environmental garden projects and community participation as part of YIB 2023.
Earlier in the year, a Spring Plant Share event was undertaken where local residents exchanged plants and ideas at the Folk Hall, another event is planned for the Autumn. The NLCGG has held talks by local representatives from local groups, namely, New Earswick Community Action for Nature (CAN ), New Earswick Community Garden, Hartrigg Oaks Garden Group and Tom Hepburn and Andrew Scott from the JRHT Garden Team. The talks have helped inform and direct our respective activities along with the support from team leaders at New Lodge and Folk Hall.
Other garden projects include, new raised wooden planters made by the Community Wood Yard funded by NERF, new hedgehog, insect and butterfly houses made by CAN, the construction of an insect friendly dead hedge in the border adjacent to the rear car park, the planting and construction of a wildlife and Reflective Garden and reflective water feature alongside the living wall, which is currently undergoing renewal by NLCGG. These are all designed to improve the biodiversity and amenity of New Lodge.
We have worked in close partnership with Peter Sanderson (Manager of support services at New Lodge) and Andrew Scott from the JRHT Garden Team. Many residents and public in New Earswick have been encouraging in their appreciation of the new garden schemes and the tree/bulb planting last autumn.
We are hopeful that our joint endeavours will continue to develop a sustainable and green New Earswick garden village.