About Starbeck in Bloom

Starbeck in Bloom was formed in 1998 in response to a spate of vandalism and broken windows which consequently had a very powerful impact on morale in the community. A small group of residents and shop keepers decided to brighten the High Street with colourful planters. They also organised a Garden competition to get neighbours to talk to each other, to bring the community together and achieve a better, safer Starbeck. This group would go on to become Starbeck in Bloom, with founding members Elliot Clark, Lesley Harvey, Christine Stewart and Chris Binks.

Starbeck in Bloom, now an established part of the local community, is affiliated to Yorkshire in Bloom and RHS Britain in Bloom. We are a completely self-funded and voluntary group and have gone from strength to strength, winning awards in the regional RHS competition and in the Harrogate & District Volunteering Oscars.

The Starbeck community provide essential funding support in the form of donations to the Sponsor board and the Hanging Basket scheme, as well as subscribing to become “Friends of Starbeck in Bloom”. We also receive grants from the Starbeck Community Fund, from the National Lottery “Awards for All” and from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council for larger projects.


‘Starbeck is Special’

‘Starbeck is Special’ was the slogan adopted in 2017 when we were invited to represent Yorkshire in the Urban category of Britain in Bloom. Starbeck is quite a unique place, it regards itself as a village, indeed several books have been written about our history and we are proud of the old Spa connections and Railway connections. We have the oldest Golf course in the area as well as the oldest Swimming pool, Tennis club and Bowling green. There are over twenty six groups who meet in Starbeck and frequently come together for community activities and celebrations.

Our community is home to four churches and two schools (Starbeck Primary Academy and Springwater - a special needs school). We are also home to Henshaws College (for students with visual impairment and other disabilities) and Handprints (a creative enterprise for adults with learning disabilities). We also have three Care Homes for the elderly. The Starbeck Library is a vibrant community Library with a lovely garden which is maintained by Starbeck in Bloom.

Each Summer since 2017 we have organised a community effort to decorate the High street. Many of the local community groups, from Youth Groups to W.I, have taken part. In 2017 the theme was ‘River of Flowers’ with over 6000 flowers made from recycled material adorning the High street. In 2018 our theme was ‘Straw People’ and in 2019 ‘Plant Pot Figures’. Groups are encouraged to use recycled materials for their creations, in line with our emphasis on protecting the natural environment. Unfortunately, because of the Covid 19 pandemic we were unable to hold our event in 2020.

Be a part of it!

Everybody and anybody can help! This can be either through donations to the Sponsor Board, Hanging Basket scheme, Friends of Starbeck in Bloom or private donations. Our annual budget for flowers is over £3500 so any amount is very welcome. Help in kind comes from many businesses eg Colton Signs for signage boards, Taylors of Harrogate for annual sponsorship of the Annual Village Show and PEMCO Creative for managing this website.

We also welcome volunteers to help with practical tasks such as planting up in Spring and Autumn, weeding, litterpicking and generally keeping Starbeck looking clean and tidy. We’re a friendly bunch and it’s not all hard work – there is a good social aspect to our work parties too!

No horticultural skills are needed just a will to make our community a better place!

Donate to Starbeck in Bloom

Despite the challenges of lockdown and social distancing, the Starbeck in Bloom team managed to carry on with many of our activities, ensuring that our corner of Harrogate was looking good in 2020.

Starbeck in Bloom pay for all the plants you see on the High Street and on the Station. Without the financial support of Starbeck businesses and residents, none of this could happen.

If you would like to support us in 2021, you can do so by becoming a ‘Friend of Starbeck in Bloom’ for a modest minimum donation of £10. Thank you.

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History

In medieval times there was very little here. A rickety wooden bridge crossed a small beck at a boggy place known as Stokkebrigmyre. There was nothing else here, this was the Forest of Knaresborough... Keep Reading

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