Cowpen Bewley Crowned Northumbria’s Best Small Village in Bloom

In the heart of Billingham, the charming village of Cowpen Bewley has been recognised for its picturesque streets, vibrant flowers and welcoming atmosphere, where even insects are valued as part of the community. The village has been awarded the gold medal and is titled the Best Small Village in the esteemed Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Cowpen Bewley’s success is a testament to the collective efforts of its residents. They have come together to engage in various activities such as gardening, tree planting and environmental conservation, which have all contributed to the village’s winning aesthetic. The local pub, the Three Horseshoes, has also been celebrated with a silver gilt award in the competition.

Stewart Swales, a 63-year-old retiree and chairman of the Cowpen Bewley Residents’ Association, expressed his delight at the village’s achievement. ‘As a small village, we are thrilled to win the top award. We have a close-knit community that participates in numerous events,’ he said.

We attract many visitors who stop to admire our flowers.

In Cowpen Bewley, community involvement extends beyond its residents. “We attract many visitors who stop to admire our flowers. We also have a resident who enhances the area with yarn bombing, creating knitted bees and other items,” Stewart added.

The village has various plants, including lavender, thyme, pansies and surfinias. Moreover, it prioritises wildlife and insect conservation, refraining from using pesticides or herbicides. As a result, all flowers planted are ‘bee and butterfly-friendly’. The village has even established a “hedgehog highway” with tunnels for hedgehogs to navigate through.

The village’s dedication to community and environment significantly influenced their win. ‘Northumbria in Bloom evaluates flowers, horticulture, community and environmental impact. We scored highly in the environmental and community aspects,’ Stewart explained.

Cowpen Bewley’s appeal lies in its floral beauty and its commitment to environmental sustainability.

The village’s community spirit is inclusive, with children as young as three and elderly residents in their 80s participating in village events and activities. Over the past three years, the residents have collectively planted nearly 1,000 trees. They also organise regular events, such as an annual village fete and litter picking, with support from the Billingham Tidy Up group.

The Three Horseshoes, run by 19-year-old Jay Mckee, is crucial to the village’s charm. After taking over the pub from his father, Malcolm Mckee, Jay has seen the pub win a bronze award in last year’s Northumbria in Bloom competition and a silver award this year.

Jay expressed his pride in the pub’s progress and the village’s achievement. “This award enhances the village’s appeal. When people drive by, they always comment on how lovely our village is. The pub has improved significantly over the years, and it feels great to receive this positive feedback,” he said.

Cowpen Bewley’s picturesque beauty can be appreciated by all. If you are inspired by the village’s stunning floral displays, consider sending flowers to a loved one. Our flower delivery UK service ensures next-day delivery of flowers to any location across the country. Whether in London or elsewhere, you can easily send flowers by post to brighten someone’s day.

Cowpen Bewley’s success in the Northumbria in Bloom competition is a testament to the power of community spirit and environmental conservation. It inspires other villages and towns to prioritise community involvement and environmental sustainability in their development.