Barrow wins Gold Award for community floral transformation

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 7 Oct, 12:09 · Archive

Barrow won a Gold Award for Pride in Your Community at the Cumbria in Bloom Awards 2026 for its floral displays across the town.

Barrow has won a Gold Award for Pride in Your Community 2026 at the Cumbria in Bloom Awards, recognition for extensive floral planting across the town centre and beyond. The achievement was made by Barrow BID, Westmorland and Furness Council and Barrow Town Council working together with local schools, community groups and businesses.

Barrow BID said: 'Of course, we couldn't do it without the help of our local community - with hundreds of you turning out to our Community Planting Days to work together to make Barrow brighter.' Thousands of flowers were planted by local schools, community groups, businesses and members of the public. Barrow train station was among the locations transformed through the project.

The Friends of Barrow Park were separately given a level four award for their work at the Barrow Park Glasshouse. The Cumbria in Bloom Awards 2026 ceremony took place at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on Monday, October 5, and recognised the hard work of individuals, community groups, volunteers and organisations across the county.

The awards came despite challenging conditions. Keith McIntosh, chair of Cumbria in Bloom, said: 'Summer 2026 has certainly tested Cumbria's gardeners. The prolonged dry weather made growing and maintaining displays much more difficult, but what our judges saw as they travelled around the county was truly inspiring.'

A new award was introduced this year in memory of Alan Heath, a founding member of Cumbria in Bloom who died in November 2025. The Alan Heath Trophy for Outstanding Contribution was presented to John Hamblin for his exceptional service in horticulture and community engagement. McIntosh said: 'It is fitting that his name will live on through an award recognising people who demonstrate the commitment, generosity and passion that Alan himself brought to everything he did.'

How it is being reported

• Cumbria in Bloom celebrates 2026 winners after challenging dry summerCommunities, schools, and businesses have been honoured for their green efforts.NW Evening Mail · 7 Oct, 11:15
• Cumbria in Bloom celebrates 2026 winners after challenging dry summerCommunities, schools, and businesses have been honoured for their green efforts.Westmorland Gazette · 7 Oct, 11:15
• Cumbria in Bloom celebrates 2026 winners after challenging dry summerCommunities, schools, and businesses have been honoured for their green efforts.Whitehaven News · 7 Oct, 11:15
• Cumbria in Bloom celebrates 2026 winners after challenging dry summerCommunities, schools, and businesses have been honoured for their green efforts.News & Star · 7 Oct, 11:15
• Barrow wins Gold Award for town's floral transformation across the communityBarrow BID, Westmorland and Furness Council and Barrow Town Council were recognised at Cumbrian in Bloom for their impressive floral arrangements.NW Evening Mail · 7 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Barrow · Barrow BID · Westmorland and Furness Council · Barrow Town Council · Cumbria in Bloom · Keith McIntosh · John Hamblin · Alan Heath

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