Green Flag rewards gardens for keeping up standards

It joins Popes Meadow in Binfield, Lily Hill Park in Bullbrook, South Hill Park in Birch Hill, Shepherd Meadows and Sandhurst Memorial Park, Jocks Lane Recreation Ground in Priestwood, Carnation Hall in Winkfield and Locks Ride Recreation Ground in Ascot, which have all kept their awards.

In addition, St Catherine’s Church Garden and the Roger Lewis Woodland Garden were granted “Green Flag Community Awards”, thanks to local volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain high standards and great facilities.

The awards scheme was started in 1996 and Green Flags were first awarded to recognise the best green spaces and parks across the UK a year later in 1997. Now the Gardens are overseen and maintained by Friends of Crescent Gardens in partnership with Gosport Borough Council.

Cllr Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment on Wychavon District Council, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive these Green Flag Awards and proud to be flying them in more parks than anywhere else in Worcestershire”.

The Green Flag Awards are judged by an army of more than 700 green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and also community involvement.

Lynn Stevens, parks officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “We are delighted to have achieved Green Flag status for all five of our parks for the third year running”.

‘It has recognised and highlighted the hard work put in and that the people of Gosport are benefiting from a green space of the very highest quality.

The announcement of this year’s award winners coincides with the launch of Love Parks Week, a national initiative aimed at celebrating local open spaces.

Manager of the awards scheme organised by Green Flag, Paul Todd, has congratulated all the winning parks on this year’s list for their dedication to keeping these spaces looking flawless for the public.

There was double cause for celebration at Daventry Country Park on Friday as it retained its Green Flag status as well as opening its revitalised Community Sensory Garden.