Katie, who lives in the countryside just outside Leeds and is a presenter on ITV’s Love Your Garden, cut the ribbon to officially open the green space that has been transformed over the last few months.
The area at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) station used to be just covered in grass, but firefighters turned it into an area that can be used by the whole community.
It is now filled with plants and trees ranging from carrots and onions to strawberries and cherries.
Katie said: “It’s been fantastic to officially open this allotment and orchard at Silsden Fire Station. The work that the firefighters have done to provide this asset for the community has been incredible and I’ve heard how the community has pitched in to help make this project a success.
“It’s wonderful to hear how local people have donated items, such as plants and equipment, that have helped transform this area into a truly unique space that can be enjoyed for many years to come.”
Dom Creed, watch manager at Silsden Fire Station, said they were thrilled that around 50 people turned up to the opening on Friday, July 21, including local MP Robbie Moore and Silsden’s Mayor Mags Croft.
He said: “It’s fantastic to have so much support from the community, as well as from our fire service – without them none of this would have been possible. The feedback we had from everyone was amazing, saying they were impressed with the gardens, which are a valuable asset to the people of Silsden.
“It was also great to hear that Katie thought we had done a really good job – her feedback as an expert gardener was invaluable.”
