Otley in Bloom - working to make Otley a greener place

Here are just some of our current projects:

Otley in Bloom always has a number of projects in progress. We're lucky to have plenty of volunteers to pick up a trowel or a broom and improve one of the town's green spaces. If you'd like to hear more about our Task Force please contact us...

We're also using the Otley Town Enhancement Study document as the basis for some of the larger projects. These often require a funding bid because of their higher cost and a project manager to drive it all forward.

Otley in Bloom 10 Year Anniversary
	2010 marks 10 years of Otley in Bloom existing in its current form, independent of both town and city councils, but working closely with all organisations. To celebrate we are holding an awareness raising event under The Buttercross on Saturday 17th April. Come and visit us and see how much we have achieved over the last 10 years and be part of the future of this dynamic and inclusive group. We will also be offering free sunflower seedlings for you to grow in your front gardens to make the town even more floral over summer.

Bradford Road In March 2008 OiB members met with Leeds City Council (LCC) officers to discuss ways of improving the streetscape on Bradford Road. We identified issues around verges, pedestrian pavements and parking. We felt that now could be a good time to start improvements to this key entrance to the town and, working with LCC Forestry department, a plan was formed to plant a series of small trees along the verges. The benefits of this plan were:
Planting would soften the look of this long straight road highlighting the residential nature of the area and hopefully slowing traffic down. Native tree varieties would bring back up the overall number of street trees in the town after a number had been lost to old age, disease and building developments. For the commercial centre it is important that the new housing developments in Guiseley and Menston choose to buy goods and services in Otley rather than elsewhere.
We have already carried out extensive public consultation with residents. Initially LCC Forestry identified 32 sites that were suitable for planting, taking into account highway regulations. In June 2009 two members of Otley in Bloom knocked on every door near one of these sites to ask for residents opinions. Due to the age of the housing stock many houses do not have off street parking, so by necessity must park on the verge. Residents told us where this was the case and 14 sites were found where a tree could be planted that would be legal, practical and desired by residents. Planting 14 trees and getting guards around them to protect them whilst they establish will cost Otley in Bloom over £3000.00. We have had generous funding promises from Wharfebank Business Centre, Otley Chamber of Trade, Otley Rotary and Kirkgate Arcade. Waitrose Supermarket very kindly included us in their Community Matters campaign and support of the shoppers led to a donation to the project which will pay for 2 trees. Ongoing support from Otley Town Council enables us to secure a 15% discount on the cost of the tree guards. At the time of writing the tree guards have been made and will be delivered imminently. The trees have been bought and planting is scheduled once the ground is no longer frozen!

Town Gateways - A current project

One of the big projects over the past couple of years has been working towards the improvement of Otley's Gateways - signed structures built on each of the roads into Otley.
This project is one of the innovative schemes described in the well-received Otley Town Enhancement Study published in Spring 2005.

The Study document states:
"The key aim of the Gateway structures is to highlight to motorists and pedestrians that they are arriving in Otley. This could be achieved using a structure which is unique to the town giving it an individual but linked identity".

The consultation process in 2004/2005 identified that people thought that the main entrances into Otley could be improved with attractive signposts to make people aware that they were entering Otley.
The Consultants suggested attractive stone signposts which were in keeping with the area. The designs for each of the nine roads into Otley can be seen in the Otley Town Enhancement Study document.

The proposed design for the first of the Gateways is shown here.
It incorporates an impressive gritstone boulder with the front face cut to receive the carved Otley lettering.

Proposed Leeds Road Gateway - design by David Griffiths ©

David Griffiths overseeing the installation of boulder feature at the Leeds Road Gateway

John Hulbert and Neil Beasley during the build at the Leeds Road Gateway

Latest News

Otley in Bloom is delighted that the first of the Gateways has now been completed - mid June 2008.

We've had the support, co-operation and financial assistance from many people - all of which has come together to create this fine 'welcoming sign' to our lovely town.

So a big thank-you to everyone who's helped make this possible.

Grand Opening The construction of the Leeds Road Gateway took place in early June 2008 followed by an evening's work by the Otley in Bloom Task Force to plant up the ground around the structure. We invited some of the people who've helped to make this project a reality including our Town Mayor, Jim Spencer, who cut the ribbon as part of the ceremony.

Pool Road Gateway - built in 2009
	In June 2009 the second complete Gateway structure was built in a prominent position on the Pool Road into town.
Once again we worked with the craftsmen and women from the local branch of the Dry Stone Wall Association under the watchful eye of David Griffiths. This Gateway is in two part - one at either side of the road and again has a distinctive boulder engraved with the name of the town.
Pool Road Gateway build - June 2009 This short video is also available on YouTube (best with the sound turned up). Many thanks to Catapult Creative the award winning local design and corporate video company who have generously given their time and resources to support Otley in Bloom.

Street Furniture - Now completed
	Part of The Town Enhancement Study suggested the appearance of the town would be greatly improved if the town furniture was the same throughout the town. The group has met and discussed this with the Chamber of Trade & Commerce in Otley who have now produced an excellent 'Street Furniture Guide'. This is being actively used by the local councils and the developers working in the town.

Removal of Hoardings - A current project
	Part of the Otley Town Enhancement Study suggested the removal of the huge unsightly advertising hoardings which are on the main roads into Otley - and within the Conservation Area. It is felt that they are not in keeping with a small historic market town. As a group we are now in the process of challenging the advertising companies to show that they have planning permission for the hoardings. With Leeds City Council we will then be pressing for their removal. Otley Town Council have agreed to take ownership of the land thus released and Otley in Bloom will then design and implement an appropriate floral display.

	Otley in Bloom - working with the business community and the people of Otley to make our town a greener place to live.
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