cumbria in bloom: growing neighbourhoods

Welcome to
Cumbria In Bloom

Cumbria in Bloom is a charitable organisation whose aim is the promotion, improvement and understanding of horticulture, floriculture and environmental issues for the benefit of the inhabitants of Cumbria.

We do this through the involvement of the community, and by holding a communities based competition.

This year's main sponsor is Cumbria County Council. As a result of this new sponsorship we're inviting groups and communities to submit designs for their 2009 gardens. The designs will be judged in September this year ad the winners will receive £100 to spend on plants, bulbs and seeds. There will be 3 winners chosen in each of the categories below:

Category A - Best business premises
Category B - Best vegetable garden/plot
Category C - Most innovative way to grow flowers/vegetables
Category D - Best small garden - urban and rural
Category E - Best community/street gardening imitative - see Neighbourhood Awards.
Category F - Best hanging basket/container/window box
Category G - Schools - we're offering £100 to one school in each of Cumbria's six districts. The prize will be awarded to the best designs for environmental gardens.
Category H - Residential Homes - see Residential Homes.
Special Category - Wordsworth Award - One flower really defines Cumbria, it's hard to miss in early spring; of course it's the Daffodil. That's why we've created the Wordsworth Award. for this award we're looking for designs that incorporate Daffodils and wild flowers to best effect. Could your design inspire today's Cumbrian poets? Again there's £100 up for grabs for the winning design.

To submit your design ideas please send them, clearly stating your name, organisation/school (where appropriate) and contact details to:

Jane Cairns
Communications Team
Chief Executive's Office
Cumbria County Council
The Courts
Carlisle
CA3 8NA

email: jane.cairns@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Getting Involved

If you thought it was all about floral bedding and hanging baskets, think again! Cumbria in Bloom, like the RHS' Britain in Bloom, means taking pride in your local area. Communities that are involved in Britain in Bloom have enjoyed many benefits. For further details click here.

Who can take part?

Over 50 communities, large and small, took part in 2006! You can see the results here. We hope to increase the number of entrants in 2008, please see the entries page to learn more and get in touch!

Communities

Villages, hamlets, parish councils, town councils - all are examples of communities who take part in the Cumbria in Bloom competition.

In bloom groups are formed to organise and co-ordinate local people to enhance the best features of their locality in line with the requirements of the competition.

Schools and Young People Groups

School gardens, wild areas, bug dens, can be within your own grounds; contact one of the bloom volunteers for more details of how to take part.

Young Persons Painting Competition

The Young Persons Painting Competition is open to schools and young person groups. For details of how to enter please click on the Paint page.

Special Groups

Special groups include Industry, Commerce and Residential Homes. For more details click here.

Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood groups can band together for a non-competitive award that recognises their involvement in improving their locality. Click here for more information.

On this site you will find information about Cumbria in Bloom, how your area or youth group can enter the competition for 2008, and who to get in touch with if you are interested in helping.

Sponsorship

Cumbria in Bloom provides an opportunity for commercial organisations and individuals who support the aims of Cumbria in Bloom as outlined at the top of the page to be associated with the charity through sponsorship. More details are given on the Sponsors page.

Membership

Entry to the competition includes one year's membership for a representative of the entrant. Membership is also available to individuals and organisations who wish to support the charity. Please see the Membership page for further details.