Alderley Edge in Bloom volunteers have been busy clearing up the area at the north end of the Waitrose car park which has suffered from litter tipping and a general lack of maintenance in recent years.
Four volunteers met on Thursday, 24th May, to carry on with the clearing of litter, rubble and the pruning of saplings on the hilly site which borders the railway line and London Road.
The group pruned back the Japanese quince at the foot of the steps to find a mature apple tree hiding in the straggly bush. The canopies of trees was raised to allow more sunlight to reach low-growing plants, whilst three dead trees at the top of the steps have been reported to Waitrose management.
Some nest boxes were erected in 2017 and Alderley Edge in Bloom now have plans for a rustic bug hotel to be constructed.
The area is now very much pruned back to how the group would like it to look, as a natural woodland rather than a manicured area. The next stage is for them to introduce more woodland planting that would be appropriate for the area. The plan is for the 'woodland to be attractive and interesting in July when the Royal Horticultural Society 'Britain in Bloom' judges will be visiting the village.
In Bloom volunteer Kelvin Briggs commented 'It's a far cry from the days of the over-flowing old bottle bank with broken glass and random rubbish deposits scattered everywhere. The tidy up of the area is part of the RHS 'Greening Grey Britain' initiative. It's certainly greener and tidier! If anyone can spare some shade loving woodland plants we'ed be delighted to receive them."
The Alderley Edge In Bloom team received a Silver Gilt award in last year\s 'Britain in Bloom' competition, in only their second year of entry, and they are working hard on their 2018 entry. The group has also taken on an allotment plot from the Alderley Edge Allotments and Gardens Society at Chorley Hall Lane, as another new initiative for 2018.
Bloom Chairman Leslie Cox is very excited about the allotment venture as part of the groups community involvement work.
He said "We are busy developing the plot and growing vegetables to be donated to the RVS Methodist Church Luncheon Club. Not only do we litter pick and plants flowers, we now grow vegetables and partner up with village community groups like the Luncheon Club, the Allotment Society. the Edge Association and local village schools."
Leslie. who is keen to grow the group volunteer base, added "Why not join in the Bloom group? Help us to create greener and cleaner spaces, help bring our community together, inspire young and old to grow!
"Whether it's sprucing up the village streets and our park, litter picking, growing veg or taking action for wildlife, you are very welcome. Every contribution is valued even if it's just an hour from time to time. Working together we can achieve so much."
Please email Chairman Leslie Cox or Group Secretary Christine Munro at if you can spare some time or have any plants to donate.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.