A record 742 green spaces across the country, all freely accessible to the public, have received a Green Flag Award - the national standard for quality parks and green spaces. Winners are judged to be welcoming and well maintained with the support and involvement of the local community.
"We are delighted with today's (17 July 2008) announcement of Green Flag Status for Penrith Cemetery. Our Client Services team and contractor Enterprise take great pride in maintaining the cemetery to a very high standard and this work is recognised by residents and visitors to Eden. We will proudly display the Green Flag Award as recognition of their continued hard work," said Eden District Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor Mary Robinson.
This year's winners will be announced from Green Flag Award-winning Bellingham Green, in an area of Lewisham highlighted by government as a transformed area of regeneration, demonstrating how residents working together with public agencies can transform deprived neighbourhoods. The Green is vibrant, lively and has significantly improved the livelihood and well-being of the local community.
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Application Manager, said: "The increasing number of Green Flag Award winning parks and green spaces highlight the important role they play in bringing people together and improving their quality of life. Congratulations to all the management, staff, and in particular, thousands of volunteers whose hard work and dedication has brought this award of excellence."
This year's winners will celebrate their achievements and collect their flags at a major ceremony in Liverpool on Thursday 24th July.
For information on all winners please visit: www.greenflagaward.org.uk
ENDS
Images are available of all award winning parks and green spaces.
Civic Trust Press contacts:
Sarah Egerton: 07811 726 534 E: segerton@civictrust.org.uk
Caroline Williams: 0151 231 6903 E: cwilliams@civictrust.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The Green Flag Award scheme, launched in 1996, is managed by the Civic Trust on behalf of Communities and Local Government and the Green Flag Advisory Board which comprises founders of the scheme, sponsors, winners and judges. It is sponsored by Communities and Local Government, English Heritage, The Countryside Agency, English Nature and in Wales by the Countryside Council for Wales, the Design Commission for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
2. Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status. A Green Pennant Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site's historic features and the standard of conservation. This year, 72 community run sites received a Green Pennant Award and 42 Green Flag Award sites achieved Green Heritage Site Accreditation.
3. The Civic Trust is an independent, national charity, founded in 1957. It works with people to promote thriving towns and villages, developing partnerships between communities, government and business to deliver regeneration and local improvement. It is the umbrella body for 850 civic societies across the country, representing over 250,000 individuals committed to improving and caring for places where people live and work. www.civictrust.org.uk
