Spring Newsletter
Spring is with us, the days are longer and new growth is emerging – yes, it’s time again to clear the ravages of the winter months and think of planting for the year ahead.
The usual stalwarts have been out tidying the village, weeding, pruning, litter picking and planting but we need more HELP. How often have you thought that your village is an attractive place to live and have taken it for granted? Well without the bunch of folk who give their time, it wouldn’t happen but we desperately need more helpers.
As a group, we look after roadside beds and boxes as well as developing areas to enhance the beauty of Darley.
These include:
- Boxes along Main Street from Christ Church to Daleside Park – not only planting, weeding and watering but also painting and repairing the boxes
- Fringill Beck – this has been terraced and planted with wild flowers and native shrubs and trees
- Planting at the Village signs – the “front doors” to Darley
- Opposite Claremont – previously an overgrown piece of roadside scrub, now an attractive feature.
- Between Stocks Green and Walker Farm
- At the Memorial Hall
- Opposite Stumps Garage
Additionally, we organise events throughout the year to help raise funds for these activities. These are always well supported (Thank You) and have attracted praise from far and near.
So, PLEASE, do consider if there is any way in which you could help us, either with the gardening in the village or joining us on the next litter pick or organising events - perhaps baking a cake for the events which include catering or helping to set up the hall - there are lots of ways and your help and company would be welcomed. There are Working Parties most Monday mornings meeting at Christ Church Community Centre at 10am or if you could spare some time in an evening - it can be as little or as much time as you can spare. Perhaps you would be willing to “adopt” an area near where you live. Contact Margaret Vaughan (780130), Sheila Johns (780713)or Joan Lomas (781862).
Talking of events, there are two exciting occasions in the offing.
Firstly, Midsummer Madness - don’t forget to come along and have the time of your life celebrating Midsummer Night’s Eve and dance the night away to the music of Dr. Thirsty at Darley Memorial Hall on Saturday 20th June 2009.
Enjoy a complimentary glass of Pimms, delicious freshly cooked Fish & Chips and magical Strawberries & Cream.
Dress as You Please - Posh Frocks, Tuxedos, Mini-Skirts, Jeans, T-Shirts - the Choice is Yours!
For tickets (price £17.50) call (01423) 780970 or 780956.
Proceeds to Darley in Bloom, Darley Methodist Church & Christ Church Darley
A Day of Art & Gardens will be the next event.
On Sunday 28th June (11am – 5pm) there will be, not only the ever popular Open Gardens and Plant Sales but also an Art Exhibition featuring the work of Pateley Bridge Art Club. Throughout the day, fresh food will be available at the Memorial Hall so why not come along and make a Darley Day of it! The price to visit the gardens will be £4.
Darley Heritage Project
As regular readers will know, Darley in Bloom is currently undertaking a project to investigate details of Darley’s past, and to preserve them for the future. The seed was sown when the RHS included the theme of Local Roots in last year’s competition, but it is now sprouting with the help of enthusiasm from some members of the group and a sprinkling of fertiliser in the form of grants from Awards for All and the Harrogate BC Arts and Heritage Fund. It will continue growing over the spring and summer and should bloom in Autumn 2009.
The project has two parts:-
- Heritage Trail Leaflet
One side will display a large map, with sites of interest labelled, together with a guided walk along Main Street and several other walks around the village, researched by CCCC. The reverse side will include general historical information about Darley, together with information about the sites of special interest, and old photos or sketches. The information has been collected, quotes for printing are now being sought, and the publication will be put together over the next few months.
- Book of Memories of Old Darley
Expanding on the work started by the original Age Concern Local History Group, a group is continuing to meet on alternate Thursdays from 10-12 noon in CCCC. Several hundred old photos have been collected, both from local residents, and those who used to live or work in Darley, from the Nidderdale Museum and Darley School. Memories of village life are collected from the general conversations at the group meetings, and will provide some interesting and amusing anecdotes.
A book is to be produced, which will be based largely on the old photos, with some historical information and with anecdotes and memories of life as it was in the 30s and 40s. It will prove interesting reading – although of course some names and facts will be omitted to protect the innocent!
Further photos and memories are still welcome. Call Sue on 780970
Darley Heritage Day
The project will be celebrated at Darley Heritage Day in CCCC on Saturday 24 October when the publications will be launched. Displays of the photos and anecdotes will be put up, together with displays by other local heritage groups. More information and exact times will be available nearer the time, but put the date in your diary now.
Village Display Board
Following a recent grant submission, when word was received that a swift application to the GrassRoots Fund might bring results, Darley in Bloom is now the proud owner of a large blue pop-up display board. The money was supplied by Grassroots Grants, the Office of the Third Sector, the Community Development Foundation, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and North Yorkshire Community Foundation.
The board will be used at Darley in Bloom events, but is also available to other local organisations. It would be good to see it being widely used. Get in touch with Sue on 780970 to book the stand (and learn how to erect it!)
Happy Gardening!