Looking at all the bright Spring gardens around the town, it is hard to believe that Nature overcame the worst Winter for 30 years. Although, like many gardeners, we have lost quite a few shrubs. Each of the perennial gardens flourish stronger each year as the plants get established and, of course, this means the maintenance is easier.

          I am glad to report that another two volunteers have now joined us but, as always, would welcome anyone else  interested (please contact Janet at The Design Centre, top of Market Place). It is a very true saying that "Many hands make light work) and our volunteers have worked very hard to improve the town. At long last the bottom shrubbery in Smiddy Hill has been cut back and we hope that any future plans for this area are to take effect without too much delay, as it is such a focal point of the town. The children of St. Joseph's RC School are going to continue looking after their garden in Smiddy Hill for a second year - as I prepare my copy for The Beacon the beautiful "Queen of the Night" tulips are in full bloom and have been much admired by the public.

          As we did not enter "Yorkshire in Bloom" this year we feel more relaxed, with no deadlines to meet and fickle weather to contend with! We wish those who did good luck in this year's competition. Don't forget to watch out in "The Mercury" for full details of our In House Competition. We are hoping for an increase in entries this year and would remind everyone that anything from window pots to large gardens have a category to compete in, so please make this our best year ever and join in.

          The Girl Guides Centenary garden is now flourishing with bright pansies spelling out the number 100 and I shall, as usual, be contacting the local Scout group to help with tidying up the public area as they have always done a good job with great enthusiasm. It is good to know that there are still volunteers who run the youth groups and now that Pickering has recognised every local group and formed The Town Team. Each individual group has a representative at their Meetings and in this way, there is a place to raise awareness of what is actually happening in and around the town.

          By the time this edition of The Beacon comes through your letter box in June, we will be busy planting out. As every good gardener knows, bedding plants should not be used until the Spring Bank holiday, i.e. the last weekend in May, as we can still get ground frosts up to that time. I was amazed when, in March, a well known DIY store were advertising the sale of bedding plants on TV (I can only hope that the people buying them did not plant them out immediately!).

          Don't forget that if you are splitting clumps of perennials in Autumn we are always happy to take them off your hands.

Enjoy the Summer season - it flies by only too quickly.

 Eileen  Blakeley.