BRAMHOPE in Bloom held a party on October 31 where past and present volunteers came together to celebrate 15 year since its inauguration.

Chair of Bramhope in Bloom, Janet Hobson, said: "We had a light lunch, toasted the occasion with Prosecco and everyone was given a poem, created by Jessica Douglas, and a rose to endorse each person as a lovely 'bloomer'.

"Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, chatting and laughing and reminiscing over past times and remembering volunteers who sadly are no longer with us."

The poem created by Jessica DouglasThe poem created by Jessica Douglas

Since the group was formed in 2009 by Margaret Nichells, volunteers have planted up and cared for some 1000 annual bedding twice a year and encouraged shops, estate agencies and residents to have hanging baskets and be part of Bramhope in Bloom.

They have installed 30 barrels and five stone troughs around Bramhope. They refurbished the Tredgold beds in front of the shops and look after the Cross area, including the Village Hall and Walker Smale bed. They also look after the Fitcure area - which has included replacing a vandalised trough at the bus stop - and the raised beds on the Parade and the shrubbery and the knoll on Breary Lane.

The 15th anniversary celebrations of Bramhope in BloomThe 15th anniversary celebrations of Bramhope in Bloom

At the medical centre they installed four barrels and refurbished the Memorial area, the Puritan chapel and the Well area. They created five beds outside the cemetery, including the planting of a circular bed. They created a flower bed for the dementia group on the Jubilee copse and planted up the Creskeld mini roundabout, created a wildflower verge down Breary lane and have planted thousands of daffodils down Leeds Road and around Bramhope.

The group was behind the installation of information boards at The Knoll, The Well and the Puritan Chapel, hold litter picks involving residents and were involved in the school garden from 2015-22.

They also hold coffee mornings at which they encourage more volunteers to get involved and provide assessment reports for Duke of Edinburgh candidates doing the volunteering element of their gold, silver and bronze sections.

The 15th anniversary celebrations of Bramhope in BloomThe 15th anniversary celebrations of Bramhope in Bloom

Janet added: "We thank everyone for their support, including the Parish Council, the Bramhope Trust, the British Legion, businesses and most of all for the appreciation that we receive from you.

"We enjoy what we do and our main ethos is to make Bramhope an even lovelier place to live."

The 15th anniversary celebrations of Bramhope in BloomThe 15th anniversary celebrations of Bramhope in Bloom