Britain in Bloom 2009

Collecting the Sliver Award at the Britain in Bloom Awards 2009 in Torquay from left to right Mike Mason, Cllr Tony Rothwell, Chair of Kendal in Bloom Committee and Cllr John Veevers, Deputy Mayor of Kendal 

Kendal - Large Town/Small City (12-35k), Silver

Judges Report 2009
This picturesque tourist destination situated at the South of the Lake District NationalPark was the home of Alfred Wainwright and a recent modern development inkeeping with the rest of the “old grey town” was named after him. Excellentinterpretation could be found there. 

There were several areas worthy of commendation, including: The colourful floraldisplays, the work of the “Horticare” group throughout the Town,  Burton Roadresidential garden, the WI Allotment and the recycling facilities and their promotionwithin the Town.

 The judges were also pleased that as a result of last year’s judges comments fundshave been allocated to address planting issues in the parks 

Horticultural Achievement The judges were particularly impressed with: 

• The grounds of the Castle Green Hotel provide a very good example ofhorticultural practice

 • Mr &Mrs Hines excellent garden at Burton Road and the WI Allotment whereseven ladies were growing and providing vegetables for their families and otherWI members.

 • The spring displays where thousands of bulbs have brightened up the approaches to the town

 • The summer school challenge is being actively taken on by local schools with Stramongate Junior school being a leading light with its children growingvegetables and fruit which is then being used in the schools kitchens to feed thepupils

 Areas suggested for future development: 

• Communication between South Lakeland District Council, its contractor(Continental Landscapes) and the town needs to be strengthened in order thatRHS Britain in Bloom Judges’ Remarks 2009 - 57 -improvements can go forward. Such as the area of bedding behind the wall atthe Coat of Arms which could be planted with more sustainable planting material

 • Encourage and assist young people in the Town to get involved in horticulturalProjects

 • Being a successful tourist destination in beautiful surroundings you should targetmore businesses to assist in the bloom campaign

 • Consider changing the maintenance regimes in parts of the cemetery and lettinga wildlife/wildflower area develop  

 Environmental Responsibility The judges were particularly impressed with: 

• The management of the gap sites around the town in particular at K Shoes oldfactory where students from the Art College had designed historical posters ofthe Town to brighten up the hoardings.

 • The Judges were pleased that the “floral rings” had been substantially improvedsince the last judging by encircling them with limestone

 • The hard landscaping and interpretation in Wainwrights shopping centre and theproposed interpretation/signage project around the town

 Areas suggested for future development:

 • Litter was an issue on the day of judging in the town centre where there wasclearly a routine cleansing issue.

 • The judges felt that a standardised maintenance programme for the up-keep ofthe street furniture is required to enhance the setting •Consider adding bird/bat boxes at Murley Moss Business Park and possiblyadding the wildlife area to the tour 

Community Participation The judges were particularly impressed with:

 • The Somervell garden situated in a prime riverside location has been tastefullydesigned and constructed using local materials. 

• The judges were delighted that a large amount of money has been agreed forfuture parks improvements as a result of last year’s judges’ remarks

 Areas suggested for future development:

 • Future judges would like to see the riverside areas have interpretation so that thethousands of visitors can make the links with its historic past and possibly ariverside walk leaflet to increase the enjoyment. 

• The addition of a nature trail leaflet which links the history of the town as well asthe flora and fauna that can be found would greatly improve visitor’s experience.There is possibly funding for this through Awards for All

 • The judges feel that in times of financial difficulty the spending of the aboveimprovement funds should be carefully managed ensuring that value for moneyis achieved •

The Bloom group should encourage the community to re-establish the Friends Group and resurrect the Green Flag

 Britain in Bloom 2008 - Judges Report

Large Town/Small City (12k-35k), Silver Award

In this delightful small town situated at the gateway to the Lake District the judges were particularly impressed by the interlinking open spaces, with good mature trees.  There was good community interaction, and an obvious pride from  knowledgeable hosts.  Of particular merit were the Riverside Walk, colourful floaral displays, and a variety of sustainable plantings and protected heritage sites.  The presentation of the town centre, parks, riverside walks and woodlands are a delight to the many tourists who visit the area.

SUMMER JUDGING 

Floral Displays 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• Pockets of colourful roundabout planting. Gateway entrances to town and feature plantings. The displays at Dowkers Lane, town hall, and museum were of merit

• Good interaction between council and the retail sector was evidenced at Wainwrights Yard, the Birdcage and Smokehouse Yard. Colourful planting on the promenade at the bus station

 • Residents presentation of gardens for the In Bloom competition

• The role of ‘Horticare’, and the contribution made to the appearance of the town through their work. Lions Club involvement in maintaining internal hospital beds.  

 Areas suggested for future development:

• Investigate the provision of more colour in the parks. The Maze bed would benefit from taller species which would be more visible

• Encourage further participation by individual retailers and commercial properties

• Encourage more residents to take part in the gardens competition. Judges need to be shown a greater representation in this area

• Help young people to take pride through project initiatives, i.e. in designing and ‘plant a bed’ schemes.  

Permanent Landscaping, Including Shrubs

 The judges were particularly impressed with:

 • The policy on ‘verdant verges’. Grass maintenance and native tree planting was of a high standard. Sustainable planting was good. Well-landscaped grounds at the church

• Good planting and horticultural expertise evident, for example Castle Green Hotel and at Morley Moss Business Park

 • Good examples of tree planting at Valley Drive • Kent Court a fine example of great care and plant choice in a difficult location, which benefited all residents

 • The judges applaud the proposals for students to design the ASDA roundabout in 2009.

 Areas suggested for future development:

 • At Nobles Rest some damaged trees need replacing and protecting. Need to address gaps in borders at Ford Park and in other areas of the town. Some borders in Abbot Hall Gardens would benefit from redesign

• More evidence of sustainable planting should be considered in the commercial sector, especially Highgate

 • The above comment should also be applied to residential areas

• The judges felt the alphabet bed should be reinstated to its former state, involving children

 • The judges would like to have visited community gardens mentioned in the portfolio.

 Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

 • Alphabet Trail in Serpentine Woods positively encouraged young people’s participation. Many areas of grass were appropriately left fallow. The judges liked the parents’/children’s involvement at Ghyllside School. Voluntary groups such as Fellside Forum and Serpentine Woods Working Party

 • The local authority is to be congratulated on the figures achieved for recycling. The judges were pleased to see commercial involvement, for example Asda. The ‘Bin it, Bag it, Tie it’ campaign.

 Areas suggested for future development:

• Pond area at Ghyllside School needs some selective clearance to enable access to be reinstated. Consider leaflet dispenser, interpretation board at Serpentine Woods. Consider the introduction of bird interpretation boards on the riverside

 • Continue the excellent work and cascade into schools

 • The judges would have liked to have met an environment officer to learn more about ecology and biodiversity initiatives.

 Local Environmental Quality 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

 • Generally cleanliness standards were high • Good work on screening gap sites, and the involvement of young people in projects. Wainwright’s Yard was particularly significant, for example slate interpretation panels, benches, paving detail and dry stone walling. Gap site management evidenced at Kirkland Hoardings

 • The judges were pleased to note the involvement of young people and residents in litter campaigns.

 Areas suggested for future development:

• There were weeds on hard surfaces in some areas, for example the Birdcage

• Beck Centre galvanised rails and bins spoil appearance. Consider painting. Adjacent gap site unsightly. Reconsider management policy to eradicate Japanese Knotweed by fence. Suggest a gradual replacement of seats adjacent to the Birdcage with ones made from recycled material. Concrete ring planters on town entrance too urban and would benefit from a redesign

• Encourage residents’ participation in more frequent clearances along the riverbank.  

Public Awareness 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

 • The information stall at Birdcage on market days. The initiatives undertaken to promote Britain in Bloom, such as the Mayor’s Blog, media and flower shows

• Good liaison between the council and commercial sectors directed towards the competition aims.  

Areas suggested for future development:

• Review charges for planter and hanging basket provision, and include watering provision in price

• Target large businesses for specific projects, i.e. tree planting, interpretation boards.

 ‘UNANNOUNCED’ JUDGING 

Horticultural Effort 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• Romney Road traffic island was good. The town was well provided with open space. The entrance to Milnthorpe Road had a good display of daffodils.

• Well-kept and tidy in the areas seen

• Brewery Arts Centre, Old Fleece Inn, Highgate, Business Park and Castle Green Hotel were all good

• United Reform Church, Kendal Parish Church were well-kept. Castle, Websters Yard, and Unitarian Chapel were also gems.  

Areas suggested for future development:

• Parks were tidy but need development, more shrubs, tree planting, colour and daffodil drifts (a Lakeland feature). Generally a lack of colour at particular key spots

• A better selection of areas could have been provided

• Shops and pubs could do more to support. Plastic flowers noted on George and Dragon

• A little more support could be given here.  

Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• Riverbank walks and Serpentine Woods

• Wildflower areas adjacent to Nobles Rest

• Signage seen was generally adequate.  

Areas suggested for future development:

 • Could make use of riverbank areas

 • Parks could develop more conservation areas

• Signage could be increased to give more information to visitors on woodland conservation elements.

 Local Environment Quality 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

 • The town was generally tidy and well-kept. Recycling Community Centre was good

• Very good fingerboards and street furniture. Good cycleway along old railway track.  

Areas suggested for future development:

• Areas along the riverbank and Kent Park had varying degrees of rubbish, which spoilt the overall appearance.  

Britain in Bloom 2007 - Judges Report 

Large Town/Small City (12k - 35k), Silver Award

Situated at the southern edge and bordering the lake District National Park, Kendal, famous for its mint cake and home of Alfred Wainwriht, is a tourist destination in its own right. With shopping arcades, historic buildings, and attractive residential yards branching from the main street, Kendal has much to offer the visitor.  The town is enhanced by courful floral displays and well-maintained private gardens as well as attractive countryside provided by Serpentine Woods, the River Kendal and Kendal Castle Hill.

SUMMER JUDGING

Floral Displays

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• The attractive floral displays at the town entrances, Wainwright's Yard, the Town Hall and the Birdcage
• The quality of baskets at Fryday's Fish and Chips, The Old Fleece and the Castle Green Hotel
• The excellent floral front garden (and bank opposite) belonging to Mr and Miss Staveley.

Areas suggested for future development:

• Review the decision to give free small hanging baskets to traders as they provide little effect on the street scene.  Concentrate on promoting the Bloom message to them with view to supplying sizeable baskets at a reasonable price that will enhance the local environment.  Also seek greater participation from the commercial sector.
• Involve children on designing and planting flower beds
• Let the judges see the quality of plants in flower beds in parks rather than view from a distance.

Permanent Landscaping, Including Shrubs

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• The excellent maintenance of the shrub areas around car parking bays at Murley Moss Business Park by Horticare
• The well-landscaped grounds of the Castle Green Hotel
• The quality of permanent planting in many of the residential areas, including the impressive small garden's at Webster's Yard
• The involvement of the children in the courtyard garden at Vicarage Park Primary School.

Areas for suggested future development:

• Add trailing plant material to the new tree planters in the town centre
• Seek greater community involvement in new planting schemes and their subsequent maintenance
• Consider replacing the tubs containing seasonal displays in the verge opposite the college with a bed of permanently planted sustainable plants.

Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• The use of seats and picinic tables in prominent locations made from recycled material
• Serpentine Woods with its community-led alphabet trail and the Burton Road verges managed for wildlife.

Areas suggested for future development:

• In order for visitors to fully appreciate Serpentine Woods a display panel with a map of the layout is required at the main entrance together with information as to local availability of the alphabet and nature trail publications
• Consider providing an update of the nature trail booklet and undertake new species surveys
• It is suggested that in future a member of Cumbria Wildlife Trust of Countryside Officer be available to discuss the management of Serpentine Woods and wildlife importance.

Local Environment Quality

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• The slate panels depicting the Lakeland fells in Wainwright's Yard
• Anti-litter campaign led by the Westmorland Gazette, the involvement of the Beaver Scout pack and other community groups in litter picking and the provision of free pocket ashtrays
• Well maintained street furniture.

Areas suggested for future development:

• Continue to engage the community and visitors in the anti-litter campaign and address the problem of weeds growing in hard surfaces
• Seek to get improvements to the recycling area at Asda, including the refurbishment of the containers
• Continue to seek the cooperation of dog owners in the prevention of fouling on Castle Hill.

Public Awareness

The judges were impressed with:

• The display of the Britain in Bloom logo on competition entry forms and traders leaflets, and the use of 20 second flash advertising at the local cinema
• Part sponsorship of new trees and tubs in the main street by British Gas following essential works.

Areas suggested for future development:

• Seek to increase sponsorship for future Bloom projects.

'UNANNOUNCED JUDGING'

Horticultural Effort 

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• The quality of planting, standard of maintenance and colour in front gardens
• The high standard of landscaping and maintenance at Murley Moss Business Park and Castle Green Hotel
• Good floral displays in roadside flower beds and evidence of naturalised daffodil planting in verges.

Areas suggested for future development:

• Seek the co-operation of those commercial premises where last year's hanging baskets have not been removed by requesting them to be removed at the end of the flowering season
• Efforts need to be made to reduce the number of dandelions in the grass around the car park at the hospital.  Also there is evidence in places of rather more weed killer being used around obstacles than is necessary to assist mowing operations.
• Replace the tree guard at Beck Community Centre with something more appropriate.

Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development

The judges were impressed with:

• Serpentine Woods and the excellent information to be found on the web
• Kendal Castle Hill.

Areas for suggested future development:

• On site signage/map for Serpentine Woods to aid visitors.

Local Environment Quality

The judges were particularly impressed with:

• The overall cleanliness of Kendal
• The attractive Welcome to Kendal entrance signs.