Shipley In Bloom is run by a Working Group of the Allotments & Green Spaces Committee and is always ready to welcome new volunteers.

We look after a range of sites throughout Shipley and have our own community allotment at the Red Beck site off Otley Road, Shipley.

Our volunteers vary in the amount of gardening experience they have but all share a desire to brighten up Shipley and develop pride in our town.

That said, entering the Yorkshire in Bloom competitions gives us another focus and the opportunity to get some expert feedback.

We achieved a “Level 5 – Outstanding” certificate for our entry in the Yorkshire in Bloom “It’s Your Neighbourhood” category in 2025  Prior to that, in 2024 and 2023 we were awarded “Silver” in the town wide entries.

Take a look at the YiB FAQ if you want to know what is involved.

 Thinking of volunteering with Shipley in Bloom and wondering what you might get out of it?  Here’s just some of the things our volunteers said:

  • Connecting with nature and exercise
  • Meeting a friendly group of people
  • Making a visible difference in your community
  • Learning new skills
  • Chatting with passers by – it can make their day
  • Enjoying social meet ups and activities like wreath making
  • Annual trip to an RHS garden (our gardening group is affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society)
  • Pride in Shipley
  • Putting on nature/horticultural based activities at town centre events

It’s not just about gardening.  Although we all share a love of it.  As well as working in the various locations around Shipley described below, we have a planning group keeping us on the right track, run social media accounts and offer nature/horticultural based activities at Town Centre events.  We also need to get creative with signage for our areas.  No experience necessary.  All equipment provided (although if you have gardening gloves that’s great).  So, whatever your skills you would be very welcome.

If you want to know more take a look at our Shipley in Bloom FAQv2. You can keep up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram and contact us at [email protected]

The sites that we currently look after (under contruction):

You can find the location of the all the sites below on this map SiB_Active_Locations kindly prepared by one of our volunteers.

Shipley Baptist Church Garden

Police Station Forecourt

 

Go Bowling – car park planters

Active Travel Planters

 

Wishing Well – Well Croft (outside the library)

Reading Tree – Manor Lane

Community Allotment

Full Calendar of Activities coming soon

Next sessions will be held on:

Saturday 11 April, 10am to noon in the Baptist Church garden (with a cuppa afterwards for those who want to join us)

Sunday 19 April, 10am to noon, meet at the Community Allotment, Red Beck Allotments (adjacent to Shipley Fields), off Otley Road, Shipley (again with refreshments for those who want to join us)

Then on Sunday 3 & 17 May at the allotment as above

Dress accordingly, including gardening gloves, and bring any hand tools you may have. Sessions will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.