Cumbria in Bloom winners revealed

Peter Hudson and Lady Inglewood present Kath Halfpenny and Pat Geddes with the Strikes, Houghton Hall Trophy for outstanding Village for Wreay.

Cumbria in Bloom winners have been revealed.

Awards ceremonies were held in Whitehaven, Kendal and Cumbria Wildlife Trust Gosling Sike near Carlisle.

Ronnie Auld, chairman of Cumbria in Bloom, said: “When we look back on 2024 it has been blooming rotten for gardeners – which makes it even more remarkable the standard of entries we have seen from across Cumbria.

“We don’t think of Cumbria in Bloom as a competition but as a reward, a celebration and recognition for the effort and successes of communities, working together to improve their local environment.

“The advantage of hosting three smaller events, rather than one county award celebration, is that more of the volunteers, the people who work so hard in their communities, get the chance to receive their awards.

Winner of the GlaxoSmithKline Rose Bowl with a Gold Award for Outstanding Coastal Town – Whitehaven presented by Iona Frost Pennington to Ingrid Morris, Calum Scott and Elena Dowthwaite.

“It is also an opportunity to thank our assessors, who are skilful and knowledgeable people. Cumbria is a big county, and they drive many miles to visit all the entrants in our competitions.

“Cumbria in Bloom is a charity, and without our sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to support our communities.

“We would like to thank Cumberland Council, Kendal Town Council and Cumbria Wildlife Trust for hosting our awards celebrations in Whitehaven, Kendal and Carlisle.”

Mayor of Barrow Judith McEwan presents Caroline Howarth with the Silver Tourism Award for The Mount.

A special presentation of flowers was made to Cumbria in Bloom administrator, Liz Auld who has been part of the charity for 30 years and is retiring from her role at the end of this year.

Awards

Special awards

Sheila Hensman Trophy – School outstanding achievement: Dane Ghyll Primary & Nursery, Barrow
Rex Marsden Shield – Enriching the Curriculum: Wiggonby CE Primary, Carlisle
Biodiversity Schools Trophy: Langdale CE Primary
Woodland Copse Schools Trophy: Wiggonby CE Primary, Carlisle
Schools’ vouchers for Special Achievement – Dane Ghyll Primary & Nursery, Wiggonby CE Primary
Schools’ vouchers for Biodiversity – Langdale CE Primary, Woodland Copse – Wiggonby CE Primary
RHS 60th & Cumbria Tourism 50th Anniversaries Special Feature Award – Victoria Infant & Nursery, Workington

Trophies

Strikes Houghton Hall – Village outstanding achievement: Wreay
Rickerby Ltd – outstanding achievement: Ulverston BID
GlaxoSmithKline RB – Coastal Town outstanding achievement: Whitehaven
Lake District National Park Trophy (Categories 1 & 2): Seatoller House, Borrowdale
Cumbria in Bloom Rose Bowl (Categories 3 & 4): Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
Cumbria Tourism Chairman’s Trophy (Tray Cat 5): Hideaway Loft, Laversdale
Holmes of Natland Trophy – (Cat 5): Castlerigg Hall Caravan Park, Keswick
Cumbria Tourism Rose Bowl – Visitor attraction (Cat 6): Muncaster Castle
Cavendish Trophy – Biodiversity: Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith
Continental Landscapes Trophy – Woodland Copse: Friends of Priory Paddock, St Bees
Doreen Parson’s Young Persons Trophy: Victoria Infant & Nursery, Workington
RHS 60th & Cumbria Tourism 50th Anniversaries Special Feature – Rose Lodge RB Nature’s Friend Parish Corner, Irthington
CiB Chairman’s Special Award 2024: Appleby Station & Primary School
Community Champion Shield: Laura Binnie, Paragon Veterinary Practice
CiB Special Award – Community Champion: Tiago Lea