Three Cumbrian communities have been revealed as national Britain in Bloom finalists.
Irthington, Workington and Ulverston have been chosen for the national competition after their success in the Cumbria in Bloom competition.
Ronnie Auld, chairman of Cumbria in Bloom, said: “We were amazed at the standard of entries in 2021, despite all the issues everyone was facing.
“Our judges had a very difficult job of selecting the three nominations, and we are very proud of these Cumbria in Bloom winners.”
Entry into Britain in Bloom can only be gained through a nomination from the regional campaign.
The three Cumbrian entrants are competing in the Village Large Town and Business Improvement District (BID) and Town centre categories.
Newton Rigg horticultural student, Danny Poland, 18, entered his village of Irthington in the Cumbria in Bloom Pride in Your Community competition with the theme Helping our pollinators.
A first-time entrant, the village was awarded a Silver-Gilt Medal and the Doreen Parson’s Young Person’s trophy was given to Danny by Cumbria in Bloom.
Ronnie said: “The community had developed a huge warmth and closeness due to its shared sense of accomplishment.
“With the need for positivity and hope in their lives, a small committee has been formed, led by Danny – now in full-time employment and a student – to take the village forward in 2022 with the theme Nature’s Friends.
“We look forward to seeing their Cumbrian in Bloom 2022 entry and wish them good luck representing Cumbria in the Britain in Bloom Finals 2022.”
Workington won a Gold Medal in the 2021 Cumbria in Bloom Pride in Your Community Large Town category.
The town is working on several new initiatives for 2022; including adding plug planting and wildflower areas to Vulcan Park with funding from Cumbria Wildlife Trust and a Bee Happy Wildlife Garden which will be managed by one of the local schools, with funding from Cumbria County Council.
Ronnie said: “The judges were especially impressed with the input by volunteers at the railway station and the work and co-ordination of the different groups through the Workington Nature Partnership.”
For six years, Ulverston BID has been supporting Ulverston in Bloom, Cumbria, by helping a dedicated community group to carry out a large range of bloom initiatives within the town.
In the past four years, the BID has been even more engaged by joining the business sector with the community and enhancing the blooms in the town.
In 2021, Ulverston BID achieved a Silver-Gilt Medal in the Cumbria in Bloom Pride in Your Community Awards.
Ronnie said: “Relationships have grown strong over the years within the community, business, and local governance groups. Ulverston BID, in conjunction with other bodies, is looking forward in 2022 to taking bloom even further in this jubilee year.”
