Friends give Bebra Gardens a cutting edge

Gardening enthusiasts volunteer their services at Bebra Gardens.
Tidying up the greenery were Mike Middleton from HBC, Andy Herrington, Andrew Willoughby, Christine Horsfall, Knaresborough Mayor Councillor Peter Guest, Adam Harper, Simon Gomm, Penny Carpenter and Lynne Herrington

AS Knaresborough's 'In Bloom' committee celebrates success in the Yorkshire in Bloom awards, the Friends of Bebra Gardens are equally delighted with the success of their newly-formed group.
Over the summer months, members of the Friends have been working with Harrogate Borough Council’s Parks and Gardens Department to regenerate and improve the town centre Bebra Gardens.

Already, the rockery near the paddling pool has been weeded and cleared and new plants such as alpines put in place.

Pruning and trimming has been going on across the gardens and new signage put in place by Harrogate Borough Council. The paddling pool, once in danger of being closed, is now in immaculate condition.

The group was formed to assist the council in getting the gardens up to scratch with a view to eventually gaining the Green Flag award.

Andrew Willoughby from the Friends said: “We have removed an enormous amount of weeds, dandelions and brambles as well as self seeded ashes and sycamores.

“Our next step is to get a professional plan for the gardens from a landscape designer. We can’t do too much planting until we’ve got this in place.

“The Parks Department have been helping us and we hope to start applying for grants. We’d also like to see the gates to the gardens restored.”

The Friends of Bebra Gardens will next meet on Monday, October 2 from 9am at the main entrance to the gardens.

All volunteers are welcome to go along and help.

For more information, please call Andrew on 01423 866987.
08 September 2006