COMMUNITY initiatives have expressed their delight over nominations in the Golden Apple awards.

The finalist in this years' awards are Newtown Primary School, Where Poppies Grow, and Sedbergh School.

David Milner, director of marketing for Sedbergh School, said: "We are delighted to be a finalist at this year’s Golden Apple Awards.

"As a whole school we are committed to supporting local and surrounding communities and we are honoured to receive this recognition. Our pupils work tirelessly throughout the year and we are very much looking forward to launching our next ‘Sedbergh Gives Back’ campaign and supporting many more charities, projects, businesses and individuals."

Coming out of Covid, Carlisle-based Where Poppies Grow was begun with the aim to create a film studio for Cumbria.

Over the last twelve months, they have had over one hundred and fifty volunteers involved in their first project, 'Pendragon', a feature film loosely based on the true story of the WW1 tank crew, Fray Bentos. So far, they have filmed several key scenes ready for our main cast filming that will take place this Autumn.

Lyndsey Walker, assistant director at Where Poppies Grow, said: "It is very exciting for Where Poppies Grow to be one of the finalists at the Golden Apples Awards 2022.

"It would be amazing to win in the Community Initiative Category although we feel that we have won already by being selected as a finalist and having the opportunity to showcase Where Poppies Grow and our fantastic volunteer team to Cumbria.

"We wish all our fellow finalists the best of luck and look forward to meeting everyone at the awards."

Both Donna Lund and Jackie Bradley from Newtown School have been nominated for the Best Community Initiative award. 

Donna Lund said: "The Friendship through the Generation scheme has brought a lot of joy to both the young and the old. The look of delight on all faces when visits take place is undeniably one of the highlights of the scheme as a whole- it brings together different generations for a common purpose - learning from each other and enjoying each others company.

"I would be delighted if we won and if we did, the award would belong to all of the participants; the staff, the Barchester clients and of course the wonderful pupils from Newtown School."