Bancroft Gardens scoop top award

The award recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country.

The Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, East Town Park in Haverhill, Nowton Park and West Stow Country Park have all been awarded the Green Flag Award for 2015/16 from national charity Keep Britain Tidy. “Everyone involved can be very proud”.

The announcement of this years winners comes during Love Parks Week (July 24 to August 2), an annual celebration of the countrys fantastic green spaces and the community groups that bring them to life.

As the school summer holidays begin, giving parents and children more time to get outdoors, St Edmundsbury’s parks have been named among the best in the country for cleanliness and safety.

Coun Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services at Northumberland County Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted that so many of our parks this year have achieved Green Flag Awards from Keep Britain Tidy”.

This Green Flag will be Decoy’s ninth year of winning the award, The Den’s seventh consecutive award and Courtenay Park’s fifth consecutive award, and a green flag will fly overhead to signal to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

These include six parks and two countryside sites, while six cemeteries were also recognised – the highest number held by any local authority in the country.

“Families come from miles around to visit South Marine Park and enjoy its many great facilities and natural beauty as it changes throughout the seasons”.

Nicola Clarke, Quadron Services Midlands Horticultural Development Manager, said: We are delighted to have successfully retained Green Flag Award status at these sites. “All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award”.