GREEN-fingered South Lakelanders scooped golds and did Cumbria proud in the county’s annual gardening competition.

Kendal and Cartmel won prestigious ‘golds’ at the Cumbria in Bloom awards ceremony in Carlisle.

Judges Jean Airey and Lesley Winter said: “The judges were particularly impressed by the co-operation of South Lakeland District Council in acknowledging the efforts made by the community and equally contributing to regular weeding and sweepings.

“The pleasure of the two officers on the ground in being able to be part of the team was evident in the pride they took in ensuring their efforts matched that of the community.”

As well as securing a gold for the first time, Kendal also won Best Large Town plus Best Overall Town and Urban Community.

The Mayor of Kendal, Coun Tom Clare said: "Everyone has commented on the fantastic floral displays outside the town hall, opposite Kendal College and elsewhere in the town.

“Our thanks go to those who created and nurtured them and to all others who participated.”

Queen Katherine School was also named joint winner for Enriching and Widening the Curriculum while Heron Hill Primary School won the Best Project/Effort by Youngsters with Orton CofE Primary School.

Orton headteacher Kate Arnold said: “We were delighted to hear that we had been so successful in this year's Cumbria in Bloom.

“Children, after school club staff, teachers and parents have had a wonderful time over the year investigating, planting, growing and harvesting in our school grounds. Gardening and learning outside the classroom is very much a part of our school curriculum, from English and maths to science and art. 

“Our grounds are used creatively to engage the whole school in gardening; we have vegetable beds, wildlife habitats, flower beds, sensory areas and container gardening and the children love harvesting the fruit and vegetables they have grown for our kitchen staff to use in our school lunches - blackcurrant crumble was particularly popular.

And representing the Cartmel in Bloom Group was Gill Bates and Percy Unsworth who had to get up from their seats nine times to pick up the village’s awards.

David Crabtree, chairman of the Cartmel In Bloom Group said: “All the trophies won this year are testament to the hard work of the tens of volunteers, the backing of Cartmel’s businesses, the support of the South Lakeland District and parish councils, the wider community participation and the invaluable guidance of horticulturalist Sarah Byrne.”

Cartmel bagged gold awards for Best Small Village and Best Overall Village, plus a whole host of other trophies including Community Champion, Tidy (Small) Village, Best Sustainable Development and Best in Borough for South Lakeland.

The village also won the Growing for Gold award – marking 50 years of the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom – for a special scheme adorning the Village Institute and other buildings in Devonshire Square.