Settle's Flowerpot Festival gets underway

Right, so picture this. You're walking through a lovely town in the Yorkshire Dales, and instead of just seeing hanging baskets and tidy gardens, you see Wallace & Gromit made of plant pots waving from a window. Then you spot the entire Ribblehead Viaduct recreated with terracotta, and a cheeky PC Pott keeping an eye on things. Sounds a bit bonkers, doesn't it? Well, welcome to the brilliant, wonderfully potty world of the Settle Flowerpot Festival.

Every summer, the entire town of Settle transforms into a massive, open-air art gallery where the artists use nothing but flowerpots. It’s a huge community get-together that attracts thousands of people, and honestly, it’s one of the most creative things you’ll see. It’s not some stuffy art show; it’s fun, it’s for everyone, and it all kicked off this year in the most spectacular way possible.

A 'potty' start to the festival

How do you launch a festival like this? With a marching band? A ribbon cutting? Nope. The organisers in Settle went one better. They created a flowerpot version of the Bishop of Ripon and, with the blessing of the local vicar, hauled him up the tower of Holy Ascension church on a rope. You can just imagine the scene! A full-on terracotta tribute, complete with a mitre, dangling its way up the historic stonework to watch over the town.

The local vicar, Julie Clarkson, was there to oversee the whole thing, making sure it all went smoothly. And the best part? The real Bishop, the Right Rev Anna Entringham, was totally on board. She saw the pictures online and was clearly chuffed, saying:

“What a wonderfully creative and logistical feat. For those wondering, Flowerpot Bishop is Blessing the good people of Settle....I hope the whole event goes really well and I will let you know if I manage to get over there to say hello to my twin.”

You’ve got to love a bishop with a brilliant sense of humour. It perfectly captures the spirit of the whole event – creative, a bit silly, and done with a whole lot of heart.

More than just a few plant pots

This isn't just a couple of pots dotted around here and there. We're talking about a serious operation. The Settle Flowerpot Festival features over 200 different creations scattered all over the town. To make these, the volunteers use more than 4,000 flowerpots of all shapes and sizes. It’s like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you’re searching for your favourite cartoon character or a clever pun made out of garden supplies.

And here’s something brilliant for anyone planning a family day out: the festival is completely free to wander around and enjoy. The only thing you might want to buy is a trail sheet. It’s just a small charge, but it’s super important. The money from the trail sheets goes towards buying paint, which is the biggest cost for the organisers. So, by buying a map to help you find everything, you’re also helping make sure the festival can happen again next year. It’s a win-win.

The secret artists behind the scenes

So, who are the masterminds behind all these incredible creations? Meet Steve Amphlett and Richard Handscombe, the festival's flowerpot experts. For these two, spring isn’t about mowing the lawn; it’s about getting covered in paint and glue. Their lives are basically taken over by festival prep.

They’ve even figured out the perfect type of paint to use. After trying all sorts, they’ve landed on graffiti paint. Why? Well, according to Richard Handscombe, it’s all about the colour palette. He explains:

“It works better than car paint and offers a greater selection of colours – particularly for flesh tones!”

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. You can’t get that perfect shade for Peppa Pig’s face from a can of car spray, can you? It’s these little details that show just how much effort and passion goes into every single display.

A proper community effort

What makes this festival so special is that it’s a real team effort. It’s not run by some big company; it’s put on by the people of Settle for everyone to enjoy. This year, a bunch of younger volunteers and newcomers to the town, like Alastair and Jannie Jack, have joined in, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the team.

Local businesses chip in too. RJS Van Hire loaned a vehicle to help move the bigger creations around town before the event started. And the support from Watershed Mill is just amazing. The manager, Tony Hardwick, is a huge fan of the festival. With the backing of the owners, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, he lets the organisers use an outbuilding called 'The Potting Shed' as their workshop, completely rent-free. This is where 90% of the magic happens for months in advance. It’s a space for storage, for painting, and for all the prep work. Without that kind of local support, an event like this just couldn't happen.

What can you actually see?

Walking the flowerpot trails is an adventure. You’ll find yourself wandering through a maze of exhibits that’ll make you smile, laugh, and wonder, "How on earth did they do that?" There’s something for literally everyone.

You can expect to see huge, ambitious projects like a flowerpot version of the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, alongside apes swinging from trees. Kids will go mad for characters they know and love, like Paw Patrol. And for the adults (who are still kids at heart), there are brilliant throwbacks like Tom & Jerry and, of course, the nation's favourite clay duo, Wallace & Gromit. The local police even got in on the fun, posing for photos with a flowerpot policeman called PC Pott. They thought it was a fair cop!

Fancy getting creative?

If seeing all these amazing creations inspires you and your family, you’re in luck. Throughout August, 'The Potting Shed' at Watershed Mill will also host creative workshops for children. It’s a chance for kids to have a go at making their own flowerpot masterpieces.

So, if you’re looking for a day out that’s a bit different, full of charm, and guaranteed to make you smile, head over to Settle. The festival runs all summer, giving you plenty of time to explore. It’s a fantastic showcase of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared love for creativity... and a whole load of flowerpots.