Shipley in Bloom aims to make Shipley Town Council’s area cleaner, greener and safer. The campaign aims to do this through community-based horticultural projects, clean-ups and environmental initiatives.

Although Shipley in Bloom is overseen and part-funded by Shipley Town Council, importantly it is about Shipley’s residents, businesses and community organisations coming together with all the public authorities to share in a collective responsibility for looking after the town.

For the first time in a decade, the town entered the Yorkshire in Bloom competition in summer 2022. Yorkshire in Bloom is the regional branch of the national Britain in Bloom competition, itself a part of the Royal Horticultural Society.  A “Silver” award was achieved, and this was retained in 2023.

Lisa Knipe, Shipley in Bloom Co-ordinator surveying the Community Allotment

Shipley in Bloom is supported by many volunteer gardeners and litter-pickers, as well as people helping with joinery, painting and cleaning tasks. The volunteers are co-ordinated by Lisa Knipe.

Would you like to know more? Could you help? Lisa can be contacted through the Town Council office.

As well as volunteering time, Shipley in Bloom needs money! To make a cash donation to the Shipley in Bloom campaign, please contact the Town Council office.  

Projects in 2021

Sunflower Competition

In conjunction with Shipley in Bloom, the Kirkgate Centre organised a Big Shipley Sunflower competition in summer 2021.

Starter packs were provided with two types of sunflower seed and all the bits needed. 

Shipley in Bloom’s Allotment Plot

Jenna and the gardening group from Kirkgate Centre went down to the allotments at Red Beck, off Otley Road, to tidy a derelict plot which had been allocated to Shipley in Bloom by Shipley Town Council which manages the site. The aim is to make a space suitable for growing fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers. After looking at the area, extra help was needed, including power tools.

Bradford Council’s Shipley Area Committee kindly provided a grant of £500 from the Shipley Area Community Chest, which was used to buy the services of a professional landscape gardener. This was supplemented by help from the Bradford Council “Environmental Action Team”. When the clearance works were finished, a weed-proof membrane was added, together with a shed made by the Shipley Men’s Shed. 

Shipley in Bloom Allotment as the clearance work begins

Shipley in Bloom Donation Point

In Spring 2021, Shipley in Bloom held a donation day at the Red Beck Allotments, where second-hand gardening equipment and plants were collected. The perfect opportunity to tidy out the shed, greenhouse or garage and give back to the local community!

Members of the public were invited to bring plants and unwanted gardening items to donate to the Shipley in Bloom campaign. All donations will be re-used, recycled or repurposed to save money and generate funds for the campaign to make Shipley blooming marvellous. 

The first items donated to the Shipley in Bloom appeal

The following items can still be accepted:

  • Gardening tools (but no petrol or electricals, please)
  • Garden plants/trees (please bring in containers)
  • Plant pots and containers such as window boxes and baskets
  • Garden furniture
  • Garden ornaments
Volunteers join town councillors for litter picking outside Shipley Town Hall, Kirkgate

Litter Picks and Clean-Ups

Shipley Town Council, in partnership with Shipley in Bloom, Bradford Council, the Kirkgate Centre, Plastic Free Shipley, Friends of Northcliffe and Clean Streets of Shipley, has undertaken three large clean-up days and several smaller litter-picks since spring 2021. Many more volunteer litter-pickers collect rubbish every day from areas including the Leeds Liverpool Canal, parks, woodlands and streets. 

Hanging Baskets in Market Square

Many people have remarked how lovely it was to see the beautiful hanging baskets up in Shipley from the beginning of June 2021 to the beginning of September. The baskets were funded by Shipley Town Council, after an absence of several years. The plants were grown by Northcliffe Environmental Enterprises Team, based at Northcliffe Park in Shipley. They were watered weekly by nearby Carlton Nurseries of Cottingley Moor. 

Hanging baskets in Market Square, looking north towards Clock Tower
Hanging baskets in Market Square, looking south towards the Arndale Centre

Planting and weed clearance in Shipley town centre

Thanks were expressed to Northcliffe Environmental Enterprises Team – NEET for donating a large amount of plants to add to the regular display in the town centre, in advance of the “Shipley Unlocked” family fun day. Several groups of volunteers planted them all in the bedding areas. Happy planting!

Shipley in Bloom’s Co-ordinator, Jenna Spiers, also paid a special personal thanks to the Community Champion, Mandy and Store Manager, Chris, at Asda in Shipley for an amazing donation of compost, plants, tools and other items for Shipley in Bloom. The compost was used to fill the newly placed planters outside Shipley Police Station. 

Many thanks to ASDA for their donation of compost, plants, tools and assistance

Shipley Police Station Forecourt Planters

There are now six planters in place outside Shipley Police Station on Manor Lane. The planters were built by the Shipley Men’s Shed with support from HALE (Health Action Local Engagement) and funding from Shipley Town Council.

After an amazing day of team work, the amount of appreciation from the community has been fantastic. The new planters have been a great community project with many groups involved, including Bee Positive, the Gardening Club at Kirkgate Centre and of course, West Yorkshire Police. 

Shipley Baptist Church Garden

One of the greatest improvements to Shipley Baptist Church Garden, located at the junction of Kirkgate with New Kirkgate and Rosse Street, has got to be the freshly painted iron railings. The garden was looking a little tired but with hard work and determination from one of the volunteers at the Kirkgate Centre, they now look brand new!

Jenna and the gardening gang from the Kirkgate Centre have committed to taking care of the garden for the foreseeable future. The Church Garden is a work in progress and should look amazing when it’s finished. The space has massive potential and it is hoped to get a new bench and some purple slate for around the bushes. 

Planters at Groove Pad

Shipley in Bloom and the Men’s Shed worked together to prepare some planters for the newly-opened Groove Pad Café Bar on Saltaire Road. The planters help to brighten up the car park alongside this busy road. 

Forecourt clearance on Saltaire Road

Shipley in Bloom volunteers joined forces Shipley Town Council for a major clean-up outside 62 Saltire Road, which is a Bradford Council building notable for its artwork designed by local school children. There is a longer term plan to make this building look more presentable by adding planters and perhaps even some trees to the frontage. Local young people assisted with the clean-up and attracted praise from individuals passing by. Well done!