Hall Cliffe Community Garden

Seeking a change of scene, I drove the few miles over to Baildon the other day for a walk. It was quiet, still under lockdown, with few shops open yet so there was ample space to park in the village centre.


Just opposite the parish church there is this little gem of a community garden. The site was originally the tarmac playground of the church school. When the school closed, the land lay unused. In 2004 it was leased from the Council by volunteers, who created - and continue to maintain - this lovely, accessible garden. It really is beautiful.

There were several mums and dads there with little children who were delighting in exploring the winding paths and the small playground at one end. I can imagine the garden is well used and much appreciated by local residents.

Several of the beds were planted with carefully colour themed plants. I seemed to be attracted to the purple and yellow ones!

I wasn't quite sure what the yellow-flowered plant was but I've checked out my guess and it is an evening primrose, tall and slender. The cheerful purple one with the attractive markings is a variety of  geranium.

Fragrant honeysuckle tumbles over a wooden arbour:

and the lovely roses are in bloom.