Communities across the Cumberland area are celebrating some blooming great news after scooping several awards at this year’s ‘Cumbria in Bloom’ Awards.
After a summer of judging visits, the winning entries were honoured at a series of award ceremonies across the region, including Whitehaven and Gosling Sike near Carlisle. These events highlighted the impressive efforts of local groups in enhancing their green spaces and fostering community pride.
Among the standout achievements this year, Whitehaven earned a Gold Medal and the prestigious Rose Bowl Award in the ‘Pride in Your Community’ category. Competing in the coastal town category, Whitehaven was recognised for its vibrant floral displays, strong community engagement and dedicated efforts in nature conservation. Whitehaven’s pollinator-friendly plants were also particularly commended for creating vital habitats for local wildlife.
The town showcased a commitment to celebrating its rich history and coastal beauty, earning high marks across all judging criteria - Horticulture, Environment, and community - with an impressive total score of 86 out of 100.
Workington also picked up a ‘Pride in your Community’ Award with a silver gilt medal, recognising the work of the Workington Nature Partnership at Harrington Nature Reserve, Siddick Pond, Camerton Brickwork, and the Green Space Friends at Bankfield.
These remarkable achievements were the result of a strong collaborative effort involving Cumberland Council staff, local stakeholders, Whitehaven Town Council, Workington Town Council, Workington Nature Partnership and hardworking volunteers.
The tireless commitment of those volunteers has been instrumental in the success of both Whitehaven and Workington’s campaigns. Special recognition is also due to the RHS It’s your Neighbourhood volunteer groups, whose contributions were key to Whitehaven’s continued success in ‘Cumbria in Bloom’.
In addition to Whitehaven and Workington’s success, several other areas in Cumberland also celebrated notable triumphs at the awards. Beckermet, Dalston and Wreay were among the communities recognised for their outstanding contributions to enhancing local green spaces, each earning well-deserved prizes.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“Our Green Spaces teams do a great job, day in day out - working in all weathers - to make sure our green and open spaces look so pristine. I would also like to thank all our partners and volunteers for their support. The awards highlight our collaborative working and showcases the partnerships in place across our region.”
The council has been supporting both the Whitehaven and Workington in Bloom committees efforts with Whitehaven Town Council, Workington Town Council and other local organisations. The council has contributed by creating new wildflower display verges, a D-Day floral display, sustainable planting, flower tubs in Castle Park and street cleansing.