Residents and visitors to Penrith have enjoyed the outstanding displays of shrubs, fruit trees and flowers around the town during the year.
The enormous efforts of Penrith’s small army of volunteers and local businesses in creating these displays and supporting the town have been recognised at the 2018 Cumbria in Bloom Awards Ceremony, held at Ulverston on Thursday 20th September. The main aim of the Cumbria in Bloom competition is to encourage the improvement of our surroundings through the imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping.
Judging for awards is based on three main criteria: ‘Horticultural Achievement’, ‘Environmental Responsibility’ and ‘Community Participation.’ Excitement mounted on awards day as Penrith was announced winner of the Gold Award in the ‘Best Large Town’ Category and the Gold Award for the ‘Penrith Business Improvement District (BID).’ In addition, the town also won the most Improved in the Year Award, the ‘Best Sustainable Community’ award and was ‘Joint Winner in the ‘Best Overall Town & Urban Community’ Category.
Volunteers involved in the Penrith Poly Tunnel were proud to receive the highly prestigious ‘Britain in Bloom National Certificate of Distinction.’ The Poly Tunnel was also ‘Joint Runner Up for the Continental Landscapes Trophy.’ Individual awards for ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Level 5: Outstanding’ were awarded to the Poly Tunnel Group, the Stricklandgate Community Garden Project, the Penrith Railway Station Environmental Enhancement Group, the Great Dockray Residents and Business group and Eden Mencap Society. Penrith Thacka Beck Nature Reserve and Penrith Queen Street Nursery each received an ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Level 4: Thriving Award.
Penrith’s Mayor, Scott Jackson said: “Fifteen awards for Penrith is a magnificent result. Congratulations to all involved. Penrith Town Council has had a co-ordinating role for this year’s Cumbria in Bloom efforts, and have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, dedication, pride and hard work by community groups, businesses and residents in delivering a range of projects and improvements to our beautiful town. We believe that all this hard work and endeavour proves that community spirit is alive and well in Penrith and shows the desire of residents to live and work in a greener more pleasant community. It is this commitment and ownership of the individual projects that will the future sustainability of Penrith”
Volunteers and the BID group have exciting plans for the future. Information about developments that relate to ‘In Bloom’ can be found on a number of websites and Facebook Pages including: Penrith Town Council; Penrith in Bloom; Garden of Eden Community Gardeners; Penrith Bid; Eden Mencap
All the awards and certificates for 2018 are displayed in Unit 3 in the Devonshire Arcade.
