Bolton in Bloom – History
This page gives a year by year summary of what the Bolton in Bloom Committee and its supporters have achieved since its start in 2010.
EARLY DAYS 2010 – 2014
In 2010 the Parish Council proposed that Bolton should enter the Cumbria in Bloom competition. Eleanor Hayton and Ann Shepherd expressed an interest and a small Committee was formed comprising:
Nicky Baxter – Parish Council Rep
Linda Wade
Eleanor Hayton
Ann Shepherd
Entering the Competition gave the volunteers the aim of working towards three guiding principles – Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility and Community Participation, and these have been a continuing theme to the present day.
The Committee fulfilled the requirements of the competition in 2011 when they came away with a Silver Gilt Award. The judges complimented the village on good garden displays, the planters, the wonderful condition of the grass verges throughout the village, the involvement of the community, the school and the maintenance group.
The village continued to maintain its level of success in 2012, 2013 and 2014, with Silver Gilt Awards, and built on the lessons learned and the advice provided by the judges. This enabled the village to receive the wonderful accolades and prizes in future years.
2015
Pride in your Community
At the Awards Ceremony held at The Chequers Hotel Dalton in Furness on Wednesday September 16th 2015 Bolton Village received FOUR Awards plus a Special Category Award
- Cumberland News Trophy
- Tidiest Small Village
- Eden Trophy
- Most Improved in the year
- Windermere Lake Cruises Gold Trophy
- Best Small Village Gold Award
- Kimberley Clark Trophy
- Best Village Overall Gold Award
- Garth View Cottage Garden Christine Rose
- Runner Up in the Continental Landscapes Trophy
2016
Ninety trees were planted on the Memorial Field by the Committee and supporters to mark the occasion of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday
Gardening for Health and Happiness
The results for Bolton Village were outstanding:
Winner of Friends of the Lake District Trophy for Best Sustainable Development
Winner of the Cumberland News Trophy in Tidy Village (Small) Category
Winner of Windermere Lakes Cruises Trophy in Best Small Village Category Gold Award
Winner of Kimberley Clark Trophy Best Village Overall with a Gold Award
Christine Rose, Garth View was the worthy Winner of the Continental Landscapes Trophy
2017
RHS Campaign Greening Grey Britain for Wildlife
Another successful year with more people showing interest.
For the third year running Bolton has won the Windermere Lake Cruise Trophy Gold Award for the Best Small Village category.We also won the Cumberland News Trophy for the (Small) Tidy Village category.
Derek and Barbara Cotton won an R.H.S. Neighbourhood Scheme Award achieving a Level 5 Award for their Glebe Byre Meadow and Copse.
Memorial Hall Field
A recycling bike was donated by Christine Rose and erected by David Williams. Baskets donated by Oliver Blair were planted with flowers and ivy and hung on the handlebars.
Tyres were donated by Richard Birkbeck and filled by Tony Hindson, Brian Summerscales and Ken Shepherd. Nasturtiums were planted in these.
Brian and Sheila Summerscales have been busy with the Bog Garden. They also erected a splendid bug hotel.
Shelagh Leyland, through the Parish Council, was able to get a grant for compost bins, a garden shed, wheelbarrow, strimmer and tools.
Bolton WI donated a colourful display of filled bras which were hung in the railings.
Kath and Malc Statham organised Open Gardens and Classic Vehicle display in July. The proceeds going to village causes.
Bolton Primary School is involved in producing posters which are displayed in the village. There is also an after school gardening club.
2018
Results of Cumbria in Bloom 2018
Cumberland News Trophy | Tidy Village | Winner |
Cavendish Trophy | Greening grey Britain for wildlife Bolton Primary School |
Runner-up |
Friends of the Lake District Trophy | Best sustainable development | Runner-up |
Strikes Houghton Hall Trophy | Best Village | Winner |
Kimberley Clark Trophy | Best Village Overall | Winner |
Cumbria in Bloom Pride in your Community Award | Gold | |
RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards |
Gold |
2019
The ethos for Bolton in Bloom remains to keep the village as attractive as possible, litter free and the verges tidy. We have volunteers looking after plants, providing plants and watering. Some of the planters are going to be replaced.
The Bolton in Bloom committee and supporters have planted the oak avenue, made new planters for the Memorial Hall railings, new planters in North End, crocuses on the Village Green and approaches to the village. We are planning to plant more daffodils. There is circular bench on the Memorial Hall field and we are funding the trees round the new stone seat. Buddleias have been planted on the Village Green.
This year we have held a talk and film show by Peter Tasker from Hilltop Gardens. A very successful Open Gardens and Vintage Vehicle Display was held in July.
We have been supported by the Parish Council. The school has been supported by Bolton in Bloom during Nature Week. The school has also been involved with the stone bench project.
The current Committee is:
Ann Shepherd Chair
Eleanor Hayton
Shelagh Leyland
Shiela Summerscales
Cathy Smith
Helen Gerrish (since Sep 19)
Mike Gerrish (Secretary since Sep 19)