Cumbria in Bloom AGM

‘The Silloth Experience’

17th November 2014

Winner ‘Coastal Town’ Silver Gilt Award

Runner Up ‘Town Centre’ Award

Runner Up Special Category ‘Community Garden’

Level 4 Thriving ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’

Background: Carlisle to Silloth Bay Railway and

Silloth Docks opened in 1856, playing a key part in

Silloth’s planned growth over the next years

From the 1860s Silloth developed as a ‘well to do’ Victorian ‘Spa

Town.’ Well planned buildings & broad cobbled streets lined by

trees

Silloth Green – 45 acres – situated between cobbled

streets and the Solway Firth

Silloth Baths on the Green provided opportunity

to bathe in sea water without getting cold.

Gallons of water were pumped out of the sea at

each high tide by a steam engine.

Note the newly planted avenue and

the modesty carriages which would be

drawn by donkeys to take Victorian

ladies to bathe in the sea

Silloth became increasingly popular as a seaside

holiday destination...

However, over time, the condition of heritage buildings on the

Green and the old much loved Paddling Pool deteriorated

Funding bids for renovation were succesful. After refurbishment

Silloth Green was re-opened in 2012

Support and funding

Heritage Features eg. Edwardian Toilets and Victorian Pagoda were

refurbished and broad accessible paths created

Beautiful Sunsets

Spectacular views over the Solway Firth to Scotland

BMX TrackChildren’s Adventure Play Area

New Splash Pad replaced old Paddling Pool

Dedicated local volunteers work hard to ensure Silloth is a great

place to live and an attractive coastal destination for visitors.

Annual Carnival Fun on The Green

Carnival Day Parades

Carnival Day often features displays, for example,

the Red Arrows & Rescue Services

Annual Music & Beer Festival

Annual Vintage Rally

Annual Kite Festival

Silloth Green Day 2014 now an Annual Event.

Celebrating Heritage; Showcasing the town and

forthcoming year’s events

Silloth Beach Half Marathon & 10K now also

an Annual Event

Theatre on the Green – New Initiative 2014

Showcasing new local talent -‘Gig on the

Green’ Sunny Sunday Afternoons

Fusion Folk Singing – New initiative 2014

1860s - danger to seafarers in the Solway Firth was recognised.

and a lifeboat station for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

(RNLI) was opened to the West side of Silloth Green.

RNLI Silloth Display 2014. People in Silloth are proud of the local

team, who risk their own lives to save others

RNLI Display Carnival Day 2013

Sport is also important in Silloth

Football Team - Silloth AFC – The Seagulls

Silloth Rugby Club

The Tigers

Youngsters in training

Silloth Golf Course – Renowned worldwide

The Silloth course overlooking the Solway was founded

in 1892 by the North British Railway Company as a

natural extension of the town as a port and holiday

destination

Public Participation in Design, Build and

Planting of Community Garden

Brainstorming - Community Garden Workshop

Youngsters thinking about ideas, colours and shapes

for the Community Garden

Lots of different ideas emerged from the

workshop

Children’s Designs for Community Garden fed into the final design

Some priorities suggested by children at workshop

2015 – Bee, Butterfly and Insect project plans

60 youngsters from Nursery, Primary School and

Community College each adopted and planted a plant

in the Community Garden

Friends of the Green Volunteers

Ann Winter and Owen Martin

Oak story telling chair carved with heritage

icons by local woodcarvers led by Clive Firth

Story teller Tim Barker May 2014

Community Garden – Opened May 2014

Community Garden Zones

Litter pickers – Year 5 students from Solway

Community Technology College tidying ‘The Green’

Local BMX youngsters tidying/weeding ‘The Green’

Silloth Tourism Action Group

http://www.sillothonsolway.com/

Silloth Green Website

Heritage, Green’s Features, Community Memories,

News & Events Calendar