Published on 31st July 2013

Montpellier gardens

Keep Britain Tidy announces a record-breaking number of award-winning parks and green spaces for 2013.

Montpellier Gardens, Naunton Park, Hatherley Park and Springfields Park all meet the marks for Green Flag again – and that’s official. To achieve a Green Flag award, each park is scored under key areas which include: a welcoming place; clean and well maintained; sustainability; conservation and heritage; and community involvement.

The parks are among a record-breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces that have received a prestigious Green Flag Award.

The national award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Janice Peacey, community ranger, said: “We are delighted that four of our parks have kept their Green Flag status this year, and would really like to encourage our local residents to spend time outside and make the most of them.

“This Award recognises and highlights that people in Cheltenham are benefiting from a green space of the very highest quality. Holding four Green Flags represents the hard work and dedication of council staff, volunteers, community groups and local residents. Our park and green spaces are places to enjoy and it’s fantastic to get this well-deserved recognition for them yet again.”

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “We are thrilled to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces.

“A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for the hard work and dedication of all the parks managers, staff and volunteers who have helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy.

“Quality green spaces are absolutely essential to happy, healthy communities. They are fundamental to our quality of life, whether in cities, towns or villages. That is why it is so significant that we have given out more awards than ever before.”

For more information on Cheltenham's parks visit the council's website.    


For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes:
Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. They inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more. They run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, and their programmes and campaigns visit their website.  

Keep Britain Tidy run the Green Flag Award scheme in the UK on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government. It is run in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy, Tidy Northern Ireland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, the National Housing Federation and the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens.

Any green space that is 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 Flag Community 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.