About two weeks ago it was discovered that some of the shrubs in the award winning beds and borders around the village were dying and on further investigation all of the planted up areas in the village were found to be affected. It is now clear that someone has deliberately spread the deadly and banned weedkiller Sodium Chlorate on shrubs and bedding. This substance is highly toxic and apparantly can stay in the soil for up to five years. All the soil will have to be removed, estimated at over 200 tons, and stored securely with beds eventually replanted. The North Yorkshire police have been involved from the outset and we would ask anyone with any information or who have noticed anything in the village that might have a bearing on the contamination to contact the police or Les Hutchinson.

From 2002 the group have carried out a number of projects including the creation of shrub / flower beds, planted trees, added extra planters, acquired and sited a floral boat, cart and mill wheel, placed floral baskets on all the main street lamp posts, created a bird garden, created a wildflower meadow and accepted the management of a local wood for conservation.