Irthington visited by Britain in Bloom judges for official judgement

In the running for the Britain in Bloom ‘Village’ category award is Irthington, a small village near Brampton.

The local organisation responsible for making Irthington strong enough to reach the finals, Irthington in Bloom, is headed by young horticultural dynamo Danny Poland, aged 20.

He has been instrumental in changing Irthington for the better in many ways, and Irthington in Bloom’s theme for this year’s award is ‘Nature’s Friend’.

From humble beginnings, one of Irthington in Bloom's first endeavours was this planter outside the local school

It all started during lockdown when Danny took over an abandoned school garden, growing fruit and vegetables for local people and sunflowers to help brighten moods and bring the community together.

The group now stands at six members with intentions to create more space for wildlife.

A spokesperson from Irthington in Bloom said of the theme: "The undeniable fact is that our wildlife is in desperate need of our help and for our own wellbeing, we need our wildlife.

"The RHS, RSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and people who appreciate nature all share the same hopes and aspirations.

Wildflowers planted as part of the Big Plant earlier this year, organised in part by Irthington in Bloom

"It is of the utmost urgency that we succeed, but no one can do it alone.

"It’s going to take each one of us to reach out a hand and hold another, in a magnificent chain of assistance, we could achieve bird song and buzzing, increase the numbers of nests, fledglings and insects, bats, butterflies and moths, so delicately linked, and triumph over decline.”

Visiting for support was Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, who said on the day (August 6): “It’s brilliant and humbling to see Danny and his team achieve this.

Danny Poland (left) with his MP, Neil Hudson, who appeared for support

“It’s just amazing what he’s done.

Clean enough to eat off, well not quite, but Irthington's new bin formed part of the villages renovations

“I think for a small North Cumbrian village to be in the top six in the UK, it really puts us on the map.”

Danny Poland (left) and Neil Hudson, the latter has helped Danny and the village with installing this sign showing its place in the BiB finals.

Judges Ian Beaney, from Bangor in County Down, and Dale Hector from Jersey, attended.

Left to right: Ian Beaney, Danny Poland, Dale Hector. Outside St Kentigern's church in Irthington.

Ian said they were there to have an ‘Irthington experience’, and commented: “Irthington is the smallest village we’re judging but we're particularly excited to see it.”

Danny and his mother, Samantha, with the hydration station, alpine display, slug pellet collection box, and funding table with honesty box (Image: Irthington in Bloom)

Ian said they aim for their judging sessions to be relaxing for all involved, and before embarking on their tour, addressed a group of Irthington residents about what the competition means to them, while children from the local primary school gifted them and Dr Hudson flowers to adorn their respective lapels.

Dr Hudson pinning his gifted flower to his lapel. Two were given also to the judges.

All were then welcomed to refreshments provided by the group at St Kentigern’s church.

Irthington in Bloom will find out what level of award they get later this October in London at the final ceremony.