Kirklees Coalmites!

Sunday 20 October was Incredible Edible Tottington's annual Pumpkin Fest. By the end of the day I never wanted to see another pumpkin again! The days before were filled with pumpkin scooping and pumpkin food making. The day before Paul cut he grass on Station Yard and sent my dad and I out litter picking to make he area nice. Several people stopped us to see what we were doing (I think they thought we were on community service). It was surprising what a difference was made in an hour. The amount of bottles we found in such a small area was surprising, especially empty wine bottles. It amazes me how people can think it is OK to leave these items in such a lovely bit of countryside. We also found a full wheel. After the litter was picked the leaves were blown from the area around Station Yard. The end result was really satisfying! It looked great.

Sunday went better than we could have hoped. The weather forecast was grim, but incorrect. We did have the odd shower but that didn't stop the fun. We had people coming from as soon as we set up, and they were still coming when we were tidying up. We had lots of families and the children loved it; campfires, pumpkin carving and messy clay model making area a favourite. The food went down a treat too. Next year someone else will have to wear the pumpkin outfit though. I wasn't much help, other than directing people, as I couldn't get near any of the tables or pick things up off the floor! It was feet up weigh a well deserved Asha curry and a bottle of red on Sunday night.

Incredible Edible Tottington had more positive news in the week. We were short listed for a Made in Bury environmental impact award. The awards ceremony is on November 22nd. Competition was stiff so it is a big well done to the group! Incredible edible also got a commended certificated from the Bury in Bloom community garden competition for the sensory garden. Tottington Wildlife Watch Group got one for their wildflower garden. I think that would have been a higher certificate if the judging hadn't been delayed until after the flowers had started to die!

Last night was the Bury and Districts Homewatch Confernce at the Elizabethan Suite at the town hall. This was very well attended and we had talks from the divisional Commander in Bury, Tim Forber, and Jim Battle, the deputy police and crime commissioner. Crime in the area is down, and he police have to make millions of pounds of cuts, but they still think prevention is the key. They are doing fabulous work recruiting police cadets at Broadoak High School. They also run a couple of 'youth clubs' (they didn't call them that) which have been very successful reducing anti-social behaviour in some areas.

Yesterday I noticed something odd had happened in Tottington. Miss Tootsie T (AKA The Lady in the bath or he belter by the Shelter) changed and new flowers were planted. My research (on Twitter, where else?) tells me that creatures called Kirklees Coalmites are also living in the bath. These started life a lumps of coal that ended up in Island lodge when a steam train spilt its load in the 1950s. In 2013 a wicked witch brought them back to life to do her chores, but they plan to escape! Apparently one of them (Iggy) has already managed it. I'm not sure what to make of it but watch this space!

I have booked some time off work for half term so I intend to have a good rest. Even @TottingtonLife might be quiet!