Having just returned from a visit to Devon, where the daffodils in Torquay are well through the soil and even their buds are showing colour, I am feeling more that spring could be just around the corner, even in North Yorkshire. This week I will be walking around town looking at how our tubs and gardens have survived the terrible snow and ice, but will probably find that we have suffered worse from vandalism. Before I went away, I noticed that some plants had been removed from the roundabout mangers (as usual), but later I was sickened to see that even with five inches of snow on top of them there was a fresh deep hole where one of the skimmias had been pulled out. I am sure many people will be just as angry as we are that someone could stoop so low as to carry on with their quest to ruin the displays. I had already replenished the mangers twice since they were planted up for spring, but this despicable person still carries on regardless. I have notified the local Police and hope they will eventually catch someone on the CCTV camera situated on the roundabout.

            On a lighter note, one of our volunteers repaired the train in St. Joseph's Garden and four of us put in Queen of the Night tulip bulbs. These are a gorgeous dark red, almost black, colour and should turn heads once they are in bloom. The Prinses Irene orange/purple tulips which were in this garden last spring have been replanted around the town - look out for them at Keld Head pond where, due to Sandra's hard work - there should be a wonderful display. More spring bulbs have been added to the gardens in Hungate and with a wide range of shrubs and perennials already in there we are hoping for a really eye catching display this year.

            From my article in the September edition of The Beacon, another two volunteers came forward, which gives us a working band of twelve - the most ever since I joined PIB in 2004. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for pulling out all the stops and working so hard last year. I can't leave out thanking the rest of PIB - the "behind the scenes" members of the Committee - they are also a vital part of our organisation without whose help we could not function.

            As snow has again been forecast at the end of this, the last week in January, we know that everywhere is looking jaded, but we are sure that once February is over, (snowdrops) March (crocus and early daffodils) and April (daffodils and tulips) everyone will be sorting out the garden shed and getting ready for a "new year" in the gardening calendar. I, for one, can't wait!

            Don't forget to enter our "In House Garden" competition - look out for details in The Mercury later in the year. We have categories to cover every type of gardening so everyone can take part.

            A very Happy and Prosperous 2010 to all readers of The Beacon.

Eileen Blakeley.